Sung-Min Rhee, CEO of Itphy
Developed "RINGDOC," a service that connects doctors and patients with a single link
Provides musculoskeletal disease prevention based on individual health data
[Hankyung Job & Joy = Reporter Lee Jin-ho]
Itphy is a startup that offers digital healthcare services for musculoskeletal disease prevention and monitoring, providing lifelong management. Founded in July 2022 by Professor Sung-Min Rhee (39), an orthopedic surgeon at Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Itphy focuses on integrating healthcare technology with preventative measures.
“RINGDOC connects doctors and patients with a single link,” says Professor Rhee. “We provide digital healthcare services that monitor musculoskeletal diseases, from prevention to monitoring once the disease has developed.”
RINGDOC uses health data to prevent musculoskeletal diseases before they develop. By analyzing motion using artificial intelligence to measure joint range and assess joint function, it predicts the current condition based on data from thousands of patients. This approach helps prevent disease or deterioration by providing tailored recommendations before an issue arises, based on individual health data and pre-existing conditions.
“For example, patients with diabetes are more prone to frozen shoulder, so we provide necessary medical advice and exercises to prevent it. Similarly, patients with obesity are at high risk for knee osteoarthritis, and we suggest lifestyle changes or diet modifications to prevent this. If the disease occurs, the patient can easily follow a set of exercises recommended by the doctor based on their analyzed joint function. They can also track their progress at home and receive feedback from their healthcare provider during their next visit. Even if patients visit a primary care clinic near their home after being treated at a tertiary hospital, their individual health data is connected, ensuring continuous medical care.”
RINGDOC allows users to self-assess and send their joint status to healthcare professionals, who analyze the data and set appropriate lifestyle and exercise recommendations. Users can manage their exercise records at home and receive basic medical information via chat.
“The greatest strength of Itphy is our team,” says Professor Rhee. “As a university professor who is closely connected to the medical field and understands patients' struggles, we can provide the most professional services and quickly respond to feedback. Our AI specialist has presented at top conferences like the Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition Conference and has elevated motion analysis through AI based on thousands of data points. Additionally, we have experts with experience successfully leading two biotech companies to IPOs and global medical leaders, including the president of the World Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Society, as part of our advisory board. Itphy has a close network with medical professionals from numerous global institutions, including the US, Japan, China, Singapore, Thailand, the UK, India, and Saudi Arabia, which will be invaluable as we expand globally.”
Itphy, as a company within the Hongneung Special Zone for SMEs, has been selected as a key participant in the development of multiple Medical Twin (Metaverse) hospitals. These companies are eligible for regulatory exceptions to conduct pilot programs in areas where service delivery is typically restricted.
“Patients in medically underserved areas or elderly patients with limited access to healthcare do not receive the same medical services as others. If selected for the regulatory exception, we will be allowed to apply telemedicine services, which have not yet been institutionalized, to these patients. Itphy uses AI to predict diseases based on individual health data and connects patients with healthcare professionals remotely, prescribing the most appropriate lifestyle habits and exercises.”
Itphy is focused on developing prototypes and filing patents, with two related patents already filed. Professor Rhee emphasizes, “We aim to overcome the current healthcare reality where patients repeatedly answer the same questionnaires and undergo physical examinations due to the lack of data integration between hospitals.”
“There's a lack of data integration and management for individual health. Patients cannot know their joint status before visiting a hospital, and even if they visit, their data is not connected, leading to long wait times and repetitive checkups. Our goal is to ensure that when patients from rural areas visit a tertiary hospital, their personal health data is transferred to a primary hospital, allowing them to receive continuous healthcare services.”
Looking ahead, Professor Rhee shares, “In 2023, we plan to expand into Singapore, a medical hub, and collaborate with local medical professionals to provide telemedicine services. Our ultimate goal is to become the first digital therapeutic company for musculoskeletal disease prevention and management.”
“Offline, we will connect healthcare providers and patients with a single link to provide continuous medical services. Online, we aim to create a Metaverse hospital for musculoskeletal diseases, offering high-quality medical services based on ICT innovation. The personal health data will be linked to local hospitals, ensuring continuity of care.”
Establishment Date: July 7, 2022
Key Business: Digital healthcare services for the prevention and monitoring of musculoskeletal diseases, providing lifelong management.
Achievements: Selected as a Kyung Hee University Campustown Startup.
Contact: jinho2323@hankyung.com© Hankyung Magazine