Teijin has been researching membranes, thin porous films, as part of its polymer chemistry research since the early 1950s. At that time, Teijin had not yet formed its healthcare business and this research was directed towards potential use in the auto and aero industries, or as filters for seawater. However, Teijin researchers soon realized that if they could create membrane filters for liquids, there was also potential for filtering gasses to separate their different substances. Seeing the potential applications these membranes would have, researchers began to look into medical applications. The membrane experiments went through many stages and progress was slow, but after many failed attempts, the team’s persistence payed off and Teijin discovered a film that could separate the substances in gasses. Thanks to this breakthrough research, the membrane-type oxygen concentrator was made possible.

In 1978, the young Teijin pharmaceutical business was searching for the ideal product to launch a new venture. They wanted a product that would be useful to society and improve quality of life for patients, in the same spirit that drives Teijin’s corporate philosophy to this day. Up to this point, all medical equipment was kept inside hospitals and operated only by professionals, making life difficult for patients suffering from medical conditions needing frequent treatment, or those suffering chronic problems. Teijin saw the benefits of having medical equipment that could be used in the home to allow patients to live comfortably while receiving high-quality care. This idea went on to become the foundation of home healthcare in Japan.

When this venture was launched, LTOT was not covered by Japan’s health insurance system, meaning that patients had to purchase the expensive equipment themselves as no hospital would lend their machinery to patients to use at home. Furthermore, although some progressive doctors adopted the idea, many did not support the use of medical equipment in patient homes, as they were concerned about devises that until then had always been operated by medical professionals being used unsupervised by patients. If a patient needed oxygen therapy treatment, they had no choice but to go to a hospital. Nevertheless, seeing the potential benefits for patients, Teijin continued to develop the business and implemented a leasing system similar to the one being used in the US.

The structure of the system Teijin developed had three main points. Firstly, to have a consistent and diligent support system in place for patients. Teijin’s new healthcare business looked after everything to do with the device, from installation through safe usage and maintenance, to removal. Secondly, Teijin planned rigorous inspections regularly for all their devices, ensuring they stayed safe and operational throughout their lifecycle. And lastly, they set up a 24-hour, 365 days-a-year support system for users. These three points removed the potential extra work load for doctors while still allowing patients to safely and comfortably use the treatment equipment in their own homes.