Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) , Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation (HKISI), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and King's have officially opened their new MedTech laboratory, the HK MedTech Hub, in Hong Kong.
The HK MedTech Hub is a joint partnership with the vision of creating a world-class academically led collaboration that will bring together complementary strengths in medical devices research, surgical robotic and AI for healthcare research.
The partnership has been developed to provide the maximum opportunity for rapid and close integration of research endeavours between CAIR and King's with a focus on accelerated translation and commercialisation.
The HK MedTech Hub represents a significant advance in our mission to accelerate medical device, robotic surgery and AI for healthcare research at an international level. Our partnership will also further the translation of this cutting-edge research into life-changing diagnostic and interventional approaches for patients and enable the commercialisation of these technologies necessary to benefit patients at scale.– Professor Sebastien Ourselin, Head of School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences (BMEIS)
The HK MedTech Hub is the latest development of a long-term collaborative partnership between the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences at King's and CAIR, HKISI, CAS.
The HK MedTech Hub's first collaboration will be centred around the technology of the MorphGI "robotic worm" - a self-propelling robot for pain-free endoscopy examinations of the colon and small intestine.
Future projects will include: biopsy probes to provide real time 3D tissue imaging; development of new surgical robotic solutions; advanced neurosurgical planning, artificial intelligence modelling to assist in neurosurgery training and education.
Professor Richard Trembath, Senior Vice President (Health & Life Sciences) and Executive Director of King's Health Partners, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for King's College London to create international impact in MedTech research and innovation. MedTech is a key focus for King's and through this partnership, we can develop life-changing technologies for patients and improve patient care."
Dr Hongbin Liu, Reader at King's and Executive Deputy Director of CAIR said: "Bringing together the latest robotics and AI research from CAIR and King's through the HK MedTech Hub allows for both institutions to develop collaborative research and innovation. The MorphGI project demonstrates how this long-term partnership will help us to engineer better health for Hong Kong and beyond."
