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About Care Technology

What is Care Technology?

Definition

What is care technology…

Care technology refers to care equipment and systems

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Source: Project to Promote the Development of Next-Generation Medical Devices (Project to Build Evidence for the Social Implementation of Care Technologies) | AMED

https://www.amed.go.jp/koubo/03002/02/B_00002.html

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is care technology considered a medical device?

A1. Legal regulations governing care technology vary by country. Currently in Japan, care technology is not subject to specific legal regulations; as a result, some products are marketed as medical devices, while others are marketed as general-purpose devices.
In contrast, in Europe and the United States, care technology is often classified as a “medical device” under legal regulations.

Q2. What types of care technology are available?

A2. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare are promoting the development and adoption of care technologies, focusing on 16 items across 9 categories. The 16 items across the 9 categories are as follows:

For information on care technologies in various fields, please refer to the "List of Developed Devices" on this site.

Q3. What can care technology do?

A3. Care technology can be broadly categorized into "devices primarily designed to assist caregivers" and "devices primarily designed to assist care recipients."Based on the purpose of support, these technologies aim to “reduce the burden on caregivers,” “maintain the dignity of care recipients,” and “promote the independence of care recipients.” Specifically
, by entrusting caregiving technology with tasks that place a physical strain on caregivers—such as supporting adult care recipients or lifting and moving them—it is possible to reduce the physical strain on caregivers while simultaneously alleviating their mental burden.
For the care recipient as well, care technology is expected to reduce psychological burdens such as feelings of guilt or hesitation toward the caregiver, and to foster a desire for independent living. There are various fields and types of care technology depending on the intended use
. For detailed information on the types, please refer to the 16 items across 9 key fields for the use of care technology.

Q4. For whom and in what situations can care technology be utilized? Are there any reports detailing the benefits of using care technology?

A4. Since care technologies are suited to different individuals, it is necessary to select the technology that best fits each person’s needs. Some
manufacturers provide case studies detailing the specific physical conditions for which their products are suitable. Additionally, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has compiled a “Case Study Collection” that outlines specific usage scenarios, target user profiles, and the results achieved; this may help you find examples similar to your facility’s situation.

In addition, as part of the AMED Robot-Assisted Care Equipment Development and Standardization Project (Effect Measurement and Evaluation Project), we are drafting a manual for the introduction and operation of robot-assisted care equipment. This manual covers equipment in four key areas and five specific categories: “Transfer Assistance (with
and without wear),” “Mobility Support (outdoors),” “Toileting Support,” and “Bathing Support.” It specifies which individuals each type of equipment is suitable for.

Q5. Do you have a collection of accident cases or near-miss incidents from the initial implementation phase?

A5. Please refer to the website of the Japan Association of Assistive and Daily Living Aids (JASPA), which publishes information on serious accidents involving assistive devices that have been reported to the Consumer Affairs Agency.

Q6. Is there a procedure manual for pilot tests of care technology?

A6. The "Guidelines for Demonstration Tests of Robotic Care Equipment, 2nd Edition" and the "Guidelines for Ethical Review Applications, 2nd Edition" are available for download on this website. Please download and use them.

Q7. Are there any safety standards for care technology?

A7. As part of the "Project for the Practical Application of Life Support Robots" led by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), the "Life Support Robot Safety Verification Center" was established. Through collaboration among robot developers, research institutions, and certification bodies, the center conducted safety verification tests for service robots (life support robots) and developed certification methods, thereby contributing to the publication of ISO 13482, the international standard that defines safety requirements for service robots (life support robots).
Currently, many care technologies have obtained ISO 13482 certification, and their safety has been recognized.