|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Faculty of Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CU Medicine) and a Japanese manufacturer of optics and reprography products formalised a collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU aims to bolster their joint efforts in advancing endoscopy and laparoscopy technologies, fostering the transition from innovative research to practical clinical applications.
As part of this agreement, the two parties will establish a shared research centre in Hong Kong with the objective of creating innovative endoscopic and laparoscopic devices for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Additionally, the partnership seeks to facilitate the transfer of technology to the clinical field and promote education and training in flexible endoscopy and laparoscopic surgery.
The Dean of Medicine at CUHK highlighted the institution’s prominent status in the realm of gastrointestinal disease diagnosis and treatment. The collaboration with the leading global technology company is expected to further enhance CU Medicine’s capabilities, ultimately aiming to introduce groundbreaking advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic practices that will elevate patient care.
The two parties have been collaborating in clinical research and the translation of innovative endoscopic and laparoscopic devices since the 1980s. Their joint efforts have yielded significant achievements over the past four decades, such as Hong Kong’s first endoscopic submucosal dissection for treating early gastrointestinal cancer in 2004, the city’s first oral endoscopic myotomy for treating achalasia in 2010, and the world’s first colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection using a flexible robotic endoscopic system in 2020.
In the realm of medical professional training, CU Medicine initiated the International Workshops on Therapeutic Endoscopy in 1984, with crucial support from Olympus. This event has grown into one of the most prestigious live endoscopy educational conferences, regularly attracting over 800 participants from around the world.
The Corporate Officer and Head of the Endoscopic Solutions Division at the tech firm expressed his satisfaction with the partnership and underscored the evolving landscape of the endoscopic field, from diagnostic and therapeutic functions in the 1990s to today’s integration of AI. He emphasised Olympus’s ongoing commitment to advancing endoscopic systems and delivering medical solutions on a global scale.
The Associate Dean for External Affairs at CU Medicine, who also serves as the Director of CUHK’s InnoHK Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center, the Director of the Endoscopy Center at the Prince of Wales Hospital, and the Cluster Director of Endoscopy in the New Territories East Cluster of the Hospital Authority emphasised that the MoU solidifies the collaboration.
It paves the way for the establishment of an R&D centre in Hong Kong, with a focus on enhancing technological innovation in endoscopy and minimally invasive surgery. Their shared vision centres on driving the translation of innovative medical technology into clinical practice through an innovation platform and the dedicated healthcare leadership present in Hong Kong.
OpenGov Asia previously reported that the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)’s cross-disciplinary research team developed a magnetic helical microrobot with endoscope-assisted delivery for biofilm eradication in ear tubes. The novel treatment procedure has been validated in a human cadaver ex vivo, which is a promising sign for clinical application. Study results have been published in the international journal Science Advances.
The invention can provide a more manageable alternative to the current treatment and alleviate the physical and psychological pressure from repetitive ear tube replacement. Looking ahead, the team will acquire more evidence about the safety and stability of the system to promote clinical application.
