Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) is attracting attention as a next‑generation medical device made of carbon composite materials, developed through the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's Materials, Parts and Equipment Innovation Lab (Director: Professor Kang Gil-seon), has been commercialized through university–company collaboration and is leading global technology in the carbon nano field.

JBNU's Materials, Parts and Equipment Innovation Lab announced on the 14th that, following joint research with local JBNU‑affiliated company CBH Co., Ltd. (CEO Yoon Jong-gyu), the surgical team of Professor Ko Myung-hwan at Jeonbuk National University Hospital, and Professor Kang Gil-seon's research team at JBNU, it has succeeded in localizing a medical carbon table and a smart spinal relaxation chair.

The commercialized carbon table is a radiology imaging, surgical and procedural table made of carbon composite materials. The smart spinal relaxation chair is a user‑tailored spine and muscle care health management device.

Most domestic hospitals use metal or wooden tables, which have a critical drawback: when performing CT or X‑ray imaging, patients often must be moved or radiation dose can vary. The newly commercialized carbon table allows CT or X‑ray imaging from any direction even during surgery. This can dramatically shorten operating times and patient recovery times.

In particular, the carbon composite tabletop used for the carbon table has high radiation transmissivity, enabling noise‑free imaging with a lower radiation dose and thereby reducing exposure for medical staff and patients. It can be driven in multiple directions and features a noise reduction system and a design that considers body load distribution, making it safe and minimizing vibration. This provides stability and ease of use for patients who undergo repeated and continuous diagnostic, surgical and procedural care. It has been installed in operating rooms at Jeonbuk National University Hospital and other hospitals and has received favorable reviews.

The smart spinal relaxation chair manufactured from carbon composite materials is a user‑tailored spine and muscle care device that measures the user's posture and spinal segment condition so that both professionals and laypersons can safely perform spinal traction, correction and relaxation. Unlike relaxation chairs made of metal, because it physically extends and decompresses the spine, users can obtain corrective and therapeutic effects at their preferred time without visiting a hospital.

Above all, the new‑concept medical devices made from carbon composite materials are highly cost‑competitive compared with imported products, which has significantly lowered the access barrier for consumers.

The global market for carbon tables, currently at about 2.1 trillion won, is expected to exceed 20 trillion won in five years, and the domestic market is projected to reach 2 trillion won in five years. This commercialization therefore has great significance for securing a leading position in both domestic and global markets.

Yoon Jong-gyu, CEO of CBH Co., Ltd., which is producing carbon tables, said, “Aiming to localize materials, parts and equipment technologies, we were able to achieve good results in a relatively short time through joint research with the university. Now that sales of carbon composite surgical and diagnostic tables and the smart spinal relaxation chair, which are new‑material medical devices, have begun in earnest, we will work to capture the global market in related fields.”

Professor Kang Gil-seon, Director of JBNU's Materials, Parts and Equipment Innovation Lab, said, “I am confident that the carbon material surgical and diagnostic tables and medical devices produced by CBH Co., Ltd. can play a leading role in domestic and international markets. This is significant because it represents the localization of expensive foreign medical devices. Industry and academia will join forces and do their best to enter both domestic and overseas markets.”

Meanwhile, the Honam‑Jeju regional Materials, Parts and Equipment Innovation Lab, implemented by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, was launched in June 2020 with goals including securing core technologies through commercialization of carbon‑based nano composite materials, revitalizing regional innovation, creating an industry ecosystem and infrastructure, building an international carbon valley, training talent, and linking universities with regional industry. A total of 6 billion won in R&D funding and approximately 250 researchers in total were投入. Jeollabuk‑do Province, Jeonju City and JBNU are actively supporting the project.