Topics

Senior Assistant Professor Wanai of Faculty of Fukuoka Medical Technology received an Encouragement Award for Best Paper at the 48th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Respiratory Therapy.Fukuoka Campus

In April 2026, Keizo Wanai, Senior Assistant Professor Faculty of Fukuoka Medical Technology Department of Medical Technology Teikyo University Fukuoka, was selected for the Encouragement Paper Award at the 48th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Respiratory Therapy, and the award ceremony was held at the same meeting, which took place on July 4th (Sat) and 5th (Sun), 2026, at the Kyoto International Conference Center (Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture).

The award-winning paper analyzed incidents and accidents related to medical devices such as ventilators, ECMO machines, and vital signs monitors used in COVID-19 patients, based on publicly available data from across the country. Through these findings, the paper examined the challenges of safety management of medical devices during a pandemic and demonstrated the importance of medical device operational systems during infectious disease outbreaks.

At the VECBP Lab, headed by Senior Assistant Professor Wainai, research is conducted on the safety management of medical devices, extracorporeal circulation, blood purification, and respiratory management, based on the expertise of clinical engineers. Furthermore, the lab is applying clinical engineering knowledge to the field of veterinary medicine, and is engaged in research aimed at optimizing treatment techniques and medical device operation in small animal medicine.
Currently, in addition to our existing cardiovascular and metabolic fields, we are considering expanding into a wide range of areas, including endoscopy, respiratory management, pacemakers, and catheter treatment. Through these research efforts, we aim to contribute to the advancement of medical technology in both human and veterinary medicine, and to the realization of safe and high-quality medical care.

Acceptance speech

I am deeply honored to receive this prestigious Encouragement Paper Award. In this paper, I analyzed medical device-related cases during the COVID-19 pandemic and examined the challenges from the perspective of medical device safety management. Although COVID-19 is no longer the center of social tension it initially was, I believe it is important not to let the experiences of that time end as merely a temporary phenomenon, but to continue to consider safe operating systems for medical devices in preparation for future infectious disease crises.
This award is not due to my own efforts alone, but rather to the support of my mentors, collaborators, and healthcare professionals who work tirelessly on the front lines every day. I express my heartfelt gratitude. I will continue to work diligently to build upon my research, which can be applied to clinical practice, without becoming complacent.

Click here for information on the 48th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Respiratory Therapy.
Click here for information about Senior Assistant Professor Keizo Wanai.

To the topic List