In this study, 3,301 domestic and foreign patents, established from 1980 to June, 2007, were reviewed in order to examine the technological trends in treating or preventing liver disease. Primary focus was placed on countries such as Korea, Japan, and the United States - the leading nations with regard to liver function research. This paper explores the systematic search that utilized a research-focused database and research analysts. Since the year 2000, Korea has demonstrated increased developments in the area of diet and liver disease, as shown by an increase in relevant patent caseloads and submissions especially for medicinal preparations containing compounds or reaction products with undetermined constitutions. In addition, there was up to a 29% increase in themarket share and the frequency of patent submissionshad increased. Japan has shown a similar trend to Korea with an increase in research, but has focused more on medical preparations containing active organic ingredients. In the United States, an increase in the number of patents was shown after the year 2000.

A technological trend of treating or preventing the cardiovascular diseases has reviewed on 381 domestic and foreign patents from the year 1980 to June, 2007. Primarily focused upon countries such as Korea, Japan and the United States; the leading nations concerning cardiovascular disease, this paper delved into a systematic research of the cardiovascular disease utilizing research focused database and research analysts. Korea was showing increased development in the diet and cardiovascular related areas as shown by increase in related patent caseloads and submission since the 2000. Especially within the area of food production, there had been an increase of market share by up to 50% and the frequency of patent submission had also increased. Japan was showing similar trend as Korea with its increase in research, but the only difference was that Japan was focused more upon medical supplies. With the United States, there was no real consistency with the number of patents, therefore harder to make an accurate assessment.