Spectratech

What Spectratech does

Spectratech, Inc. is a privately-held Japanese corporation founded in April 2001 and headquartered in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. The company designs, develops, manufactures, and sells functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) systems for non-invasive measurement of brain hemodynamic activity, serving three distinct customer groups: academic and clinical research institutions, reimbursed medical facilities using optical topography for depression differential diagnosis, and education/childcare facilities using pediatric attention assessment devices. Its portfolio spans the OEG-17APD full-head system (17ch to 57ch modular configurations), the OEG-16H forehead-measurement system, the OEG-SpO2 with pulse oximetry and Apparent SpO2, the OEG-17ME medical optical topography device covered by Japan's D236-2 reimbursement code, and the CALM-17 pediatric attention measurement device.

The underlying technology platform rests on three proprietary pillars: a spread spectrum modulation architecture for cost reduction, miniaturization, and noise immunity; ultrahigh SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) signal processing that delivers 9dB or more SNR improvement at doubled gain and 8x speed versus prior-generation devices; and ITO-Shield technology - the world's first application of Indium Tin Oxide transparent conductive film to an fNIRS photodetector input window - paired with Avalanche Photodiode sensors offering approximately 10x the sensitivity of conventional silicon photodiodes. AIST-co-developed blood flow separation is included as standard on all research devices, and an inbound patent license from Japan's National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry underpins CALM-17.

Spectratech operates a sales-led, inquiry-based go-to-market. Domestic sales in Japan are direct via the company website; international sales flow through authorized distributors in the USA (Neuro Logic LLP, Vox Biomedical LLC), China/Hong Kong (Century Tian Hong), Korea (MXR Communications), Singapore/Malaysia/Indonesia (Precision Technologies), and Taiwan (Polypact International). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is quote-based. Marketing is anchored in academic conferences (Japan Optical Brain Function Imaging Society, Japanese Society of Medical and Biological Engineering, international fNIRS conferences) and over 150 peer-reviewed publications using Spectratech instruments. Revenue streams consist of hardware sales (OEG series, CALM-17) plus optional software modules (VIDEO3D recording, OEG-Stim stimulation, OEG-3DXYZ-OBJ coordinate conversion, SNIRF converter).

Name

Spectratech

Legal name

Spectratech, Inc.

Website

https://spectratech.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Spectratech, Inc. is a privately-held Japanese medical device company specializing in functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) systems for non-invasive brain function measurement, serving research institutions, hospitals, and education facilities in Japan and seven international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Imaging Equipment (Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy / Optical Topography)

NAICS

Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Neurological Monitoring (EEG, Seizure/Sleep/Neuro Wearables) (HLAHACAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Optoelectronic Emitters (LED/Laser/VCSEL) (HDAHALAL)

Keywords

• Functional near-infrared spectroscopy
• Brain function imaging devices
• Optical topography equipment
• Neuroscience research instruments
• Medical imaging hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Yokohama

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. fNIRS Hardware Sales: Sale of functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy devices for research and medical applications including OEG-17 series, OEG-16 series, and related options
2. Healthcare Device Sales: Sale of CALM-17 attention measurement devices for education centers, daycare centers, and child support facilities
3. Software Options: Sale of optional software including VIDEO3D recording option, OEG-Stim visual stimulation software, OEG-3DXYZ-OBJ coordinate conversion software, and SNIRF converter

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Spectratech designs, develops, manufactures, and sells functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) devices and optical topography equipment for non-invasive brain function measurement. Its product portfolio includes full-head fNIRS systems (OEG-17APD, OEG-17H, OEG-17ME), forehead-only research devices (OEG-16H), pulse-oximetry-enhanced systems (OEG-SpO2), and a child attention measurement device (CALM-17), supported by optional software such as VIDEO3D, OEG-Stim, OEG-3DXYZ-OBJ, and an SNIRF converter. Products are sold to research institutions, universities, hospitals, and education centers through direct sales in Japan and authorized distributors internationally.

Product overview

Spectratech offers a portfolio of functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) devices for brain function measurement. The core products include the OEG-17 series (OEG-17APD/OEG-17H for full-head measurement and OEG-17ME for medical phototopography), the OEG-16 series (OEG-16H for forehead-only measurement), and the OEG-SpO2 (combining hemoglobin changes with pulse wave and Apparent SpO2 measurement). The healthcare product line includes CALM-17 and CALM-17 with fNIRS for attention assessment in children. Supporting software includes visual stimulation software (OEG-Stim), 3D coordinate transformation (OEG-3DXYZ-OBJ), and SNIRF format converter. Optional VIDEO3D adds synchronized video recording capability. All devices utilize proprietary spectrum spread modulation technology developed by the company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Spectratech OEG-17APD Full-head functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) device utilizing ultra-high sensitivity APD (Avalanche Photodiode) sensors and fiberless design with modular sensor palette structure supporting configurations from 17ch to 57ch. Features proprietary ITO-Shield technology for noise reduction. Designed for transportable brain function measurement in locations including rehabilitation centers, elder care facilities, and vehicles. Sold to neuroscience and brain function researchers.
• Spectratech OEG-17H Full-head functional NIRS device for measuring blood volume changes in multiple brain regions simultaneously using near-infrared light absorption characteristics. Features proprietary spectrum spread modulation technology for high performance and cost reduction. For neuroscience research use.
• Spectratech OEG-SpO2 Functional NIRS device with additional pulse oximetry function that measures hemoglobin changes, pulse wave signals, and Apparent SpO2 (apparent arterial oxygen saturation). Features proprietary super-high SNR technology for detecting ultra-weak pulse wave components in the brain. For brain circulation and metabolism research.
• Spectratech OEG-16H Functional NIRS device for forehead measurement with up to 16 channels, utilizing proprietary spectrum spread modulation technology for cost reduction, miniaturization, and high performance. Designed for research purposes with non-invasive measurement capability, with multi-subject simultaneous measurement support.
• Spectratech OEG-17ME (15ch and 31ch configurations) Medical optical topography device for phototopography examination, available in 15-channel and 31-channel configurations. Approved for 'D236-2 Depressive symptom differential diagnosis aid' under Japan's medical reimbursement system since April 2014. Currently undergoing certification renewal for new standard compliance. Sold to hospitals and medical facilities.
• Spectratech CALM-17 Calmness (attention) measurement device for children measuring inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity through a reverse Stroop task on a touch panel in approximately 5 minutes. Developed under license from National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (Patent No. 6128651). Not a medical device. For education centers, childcare centers, and child support facilities serving elementary school children.
• Spectratech CALM-17 with fNIRS Extended functionality version of CALM-17 that adds fNIRS measurement capability to the standard reverse-Stroop attention assessment, enabling comprehensive attention evaluation in elementary school children. For education centers, childcare centers, and child support facilities.

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2021Co-development partnership for high-density fNIRS wearable device development. AIST researchers collaborated with Spectratech on triangular arrangement optode systems and reflectance modulation technology for scalp hemodynamic component reduction.
• National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP)coreTechnology or Integration · 25 July 2016NCNP licensed patent technology (Patent No. 6128651) to Spectratech for CALM-17 attention measurement device development. NCNP is a key research partner in developmental disorder studies using Spectratech equipment.
• Tokai UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing research collaboration under guidance of Dr. Hidataka Enta for brain function measurement technology development. Joint research on brain circulation, metabolism, and NIRS signal pulse wave components.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Emerging players

• Nonin Medical: Specialist in pulse oximetry and cerebral oximetry sensors that competes with the clinical SpO2/regional-oxygenation positioning of Spectratech's OEG-SpO2 product line.
• Biopac Systems: Research physiological-monitoring vendor (BIOPAC hardware + AcqKnowledge software) that distributes and integrates third-party fNIRS into its academic lab platforms, competing for the same research-grant budget.

Others

• ISS Inc. US biomedical-optics vendor producing Oxiplex tissue oximeters and frequency-domain NIRS instrumentation, an adjacent technology peer in non-invasive optical brain/tissue monitoring.

Broad incumbents

• Konica Minolta: Japanese healthcare-imaging conglomerate with adjacent optical/diagnostic instrumentation; a potential domestic consolidator or partner alongside other large Japan-based medtech players competing for the same hospital procurement budgets.
• Hitachi: Hitachi's ETG-series functional NIRS systems were the established global leader in clinical fNIRS before being wound down; a diversified industrial conglomerate that overlapped directly with Spectratech's OEG-17ME clinical optical topography use case.
• Shimadzu Corporation: Japanese analytical-instruments major whose LABNIRS/OMM brain-imaging systems directly compete with Spectratech's research-grade fNIRS OEG-17APD/OEG-17H, sharing the same Japanese research-customer base.
• Masimo: Global leader in pulse oximetry and patient monitoring whose SET SpO2 technology overlaps with Spectratech's OEG-SpO2 Apparent SpO2 metric, and whose hospital footprint could subsume brain-oximetry over time.

Direct peers

• Artinis Medical Systems: Netherlands-based specialist in portable and wearable fNIRS devices (Brite, PortaLite, Oxysoft) — a direct head-to-head competitor to Spectratech's research fNIRS line across academic and clinical neuroscience buyers.
• NIRx Medical Technologies: US/Germany-based specialist in research-grade fNIRS (NIRScout, NIRSport) with strong North American academic sales, overlapping Spectratech's same neuroscience research and BCI use cases.
• Compumedics / Neuroscan: Maker of Neuroscan EEG and multimodal brain-monitoring systems used in the same cognitive-neuroscience and clinical-research labs that buy Spectratech's OEG series, increasingly offering fNIRS-integrated bundles.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Spectratech