Towa High System and Hitachi Launch Voice-Activated EMR System for Dental Clinics

Japan: Towa Hi-System Co. Ltd. and Hitachi Ltd. have collaborated to create an electronic medical record (EMR) system for dental clinics that supports AI voice recognition.

The integrated AI/voice electronic medical record system, named “Hi Dental Spirit AI-Voice”, will be available from early March. The system links Towa High System’s electronic medical record system for dental clinics with Hitachi’s AI voice recognition technology and Recware’s voice-to-text conversion function.

Towa Hi and Hitachi working on voice-operated dental EMR system

Using Smart Glasses and Virtual Reality

The innovative system allows dentists to create and operate electronic medical records with just voice while wearing gloves during treatment.

In addition, by wearing smart glasses, dental hygienists can check the contents of the electronic medical record through a large virtual screen equivalent to a 120-inch size by simply moving their line of sight slightly.

For example, a periodontal disease examination that previously required two people can now be performed by one person using voice input and smart glasses. The electronic medical record also saves a record of conversations with patients as voice data.

Towa High System has introduced the system to approximately 3,100 dental clinics, mainly in western Japan. Hitachi’s integrated system operation management software “JP1”, can provide remote support such as automatic program distribution to Hitachi’s “HiRDB” and the dental electronic medical record integrated system “Hi Dental Spirit XR-10i” equipped with biometric finger vein authentication.

The collaboration aims to support the realization of DX (digital transformation) in hospital operations.

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AI voice recognition technology converts medical examination results

“Hi Dental Spirit AI-Voice” uses Hitachi AI voice recognition technology to recognize and convert medical examination results and utterances into text.

It is equipped with functions that incorporate on-site needs, such as the ability to use AI and voice electronic medical records after delivery, and the ability to perform periodontal disease examinations that were previously performed by two people by one person.

The collaboration aims to develop the system as a cloud service that can safely analyze and utilize on-site data from dental clinics, and promote collaboration with Hitachi’s Lumada business, which creates value from data.

ChatGPT and the Future of Dentistry

Towa High System, a Japanese company that develops and sells dental electronic chart integration systems, has introduced its main product, the “Hi Dental Spirit XR-10i,” to approximately 3,100 dental clinics in western Japan. The system is designed to comply with the guidelines of Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and is equipped with a biometric authentication finger vein to ensure authenticity. It also adopts the secure database “HiRDB” to prevent information leakage and has a chart function that eliminates data falsification, an informed consent function using an iPad, and a receipt function that can be centrally managed.

About Hi Dental Spirit XR-10i and Hi Dental Spirit AI-Voice

Towa High System has combined its “Hi Dental Spirit XR-10i” system with Hitachi’s AI voice recognition technology to create “Hi Dental Spirit AI-Voice,” an AI/Voice/Electronic Medical Record integration system.

According to Towa High System, the integration of voice-to-text “Recware” technology brings life and soul to the system, making it possible to realize digital transformation (DX) for the dental industry.

In March 2022, a prototype demonstration of the new system was introduced at the Japan Dental Show and received a positive response from dentists. Following this, monitoring tests at dental clinics were started in June of the same year, and improvements were made based on feedback to make the system more user-friendly and to strengthen its functions.

About Towa High System

Towa High System, a company that develops, sells, and supports dental electronic chart integration systems, has introduced its system to approximately 3,100 dental clinics, primarily in western Japan. The system is equipped with biometric finger vein authentication and offers support for various business processes, including recruitment, reception, medical care, and accounting.

About Hitachi Ltd.

With the recent announcement of Hitachi’s expansion of its social innovation business, the company’s business structure will consist of “Connective Industries” and “Automotive Systems.”

The former will digitally connect products across various fields, including healthcare, home appliances, and building systems. The latter will focus on advanced technologies in the automotive industry. The Lumada solutions, which utilize IT, OT, and products, will be used to solve customer and societal problems.

With a consolidated revenue of 10,264.6 billion yen (US$76.64bn) for fiscal year 2021, ending in March 2022, and 853 consolidated subsidiaries, the company aims to achieve growth through collaborative creation with its customers. Additionally, the business will be driven by green, digital, and innovative approaches.

The company’s services include IT solutions for finance, government agencies, local governments, and telecommunications. It also provides “digital systems and services” to support customer’s digital transformation initiatives. The company has approximately 370,000 employees worldwide as of March 2022.