AI device diagnoses flu from throat photos in 10 seconds

Japanese startup Iris has developed Nodoca, an AI-powered device that diagnoses influenza by analysing throat images in just over 10 seconds, El.kz cites Deal Room.

The system eliminates the need for uncomfortable nasal swabs and can be used earlier after symptom onset.

Founded in 2017 by former emergency physician Sho Okuyama, Iris spent three years collecting throat image data from around 100 medical institutions. In 2022, Nodoca became Japan's first AI medical device approved for national health insurance coverage. It's now used in over 2,000 Japanese medical institutions and received COVID-19 approval in October 2025.

The system has analysed several million throat images since launch. Iris is researching whether the technology can detect lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension through throat patterns.

Okuyama envisions AI eventually enabling comprehensive health tests from a single throat photograph at minimal cost.