AI-Powered Medical Innovations Steal the Spotlight at CIIE with Multiple Global and China Debuts

The 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) was held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. In the field of medical devices, the world's top ten medical device enterprises made a collective appearance, focusing on innovative and intelligent products for life and health as well as digital precision solutions, showcasing a number of high-end exhibits with global premieres, Asian first exhibitions, and China-first unveilings.

Reporter from the China Securities Journal recently visited this year's CIIE. In the high-tech medical device exhibition area, numerous cutting-edge technologies in the field were showcased, drawing large crowds. Industry experts analyzed that the integration of hardware and software in medical devices with AI will drive the development of precision and intelligent diagnosis and treatment within hospitals. Among these advancements, AI-enhanced medical imaging is expected to significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of disease diagnosis and treatment.

● China Securities Journal reporter Li Mengyang, Wei Zhaoyu

Multiple First-launched and First-showcased Products Debut

As a "full-time participant" in seven consecutive China International Import Expos (CIIE), Siemens Healthineers showcased nearly 20 innovative medical technologies and solutions this year. Notably, during the 7th CIIE, Siemens Healthineers unveiled its "Dual Ultra-High Field" research MRI platform. The platform consists of two systems: the 7T ultra-high field MRI MAGNETOM Terra.X and the ultra-high gradient field MRI MAGNETOM Cima.X (200/200), integrating technologies such as multinuclear metabolic imaging and pathological mesoscopic imaging.

In terms of application, Lu Yi, Marketing Manager of the Magnetic Resonance Division at Siemens Healthineers Greater China, told reporters: "The application scope of this device is very broad. For instance, in epilepsy, there is a category known as refractory epilepsy, where conventional methods fail to locate the lesion and can only rely on medication for control. However, with an MR (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan, we have the opportunity to identify some hidden lesions, enabling targeted treatments such as surgery or other therapies. Another example is Alzheimer's disease. Now, with this equipment, we have the chance to use this non-invasive, radiation-free method to make an early diagnosis in a very short time."

As a "regular" at the CIIE, Medtronic this year showcased nearly 100 innovative products and solutions, including the world's first-ever exhibition of the Evolut PRO+ Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) System. According to Medtronic, it is the company’s latest generation of TAVR products globally, dedicated to providing lifelong management for patients with aortic valve stenosis. Its innovative "large valve window" design offers more space for future coronary intervention catheter operations, which will help improve the safety and success rate of surgeries.

In the much-anticipated field of weight loss, Boston Scientific has introduced a product making its "CIIE debut" – the Apollo ESG Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty System. Peng Lin, Director of Boston Scientific's Medical Department, told reporters that this product is being exhibited for the first time at the CIIE and also marks its debut in China. It is suitable for adult obese patients with a BMI (Body Mass Index) between 30kg/m2 and 50kg/m2. At its tip is a thumb-sized device resembling a small "sewing machine," capable of performing full-thickness suturing of the stomach. After 6 to 8 full-thickness sutures, the patient’s stomach volume can be reduced by 70%-80%.

Besides the eye-catching global debuts and China premieres, as the "spillover effect" of the CIIE continues to expand, many products have successfully transitioned from exhibits to commercial products. Take Intuitive Fosun's Ion Bronchoscopy Robot (referred to as "Ion") as an example: In 2019, Ion was first exhibited at the CIIE, gaining recognition from professionals and the public; in March 2024, Ion successfully passed the approval of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and was approved for marketing. In September of the same year, the first commercial installation of Ion was completed, along with its first successful commercial application. At this year’s CIIE, Ion made its first appearance at the exhibition since its approval for marketing in China, drawing significant attention from attendees.

Moreover, according to Boston Scientific, since its first participation in 2019, driven by the accelerating effect of the CIIE, the introduction and implementation of Boston Scientific's innovative products have sped up. A total of 21 innovative achievements have successfully transformed from exhibits into commercial products. Since the conclusion of the sixth CIIE, nine innovative products previously exhibited by Boston Scientific have been approved in China, four of which will be launched as new products at this year’s CIIE.

AI Empowers Industry Development

"AI + Medical" Products Become the Focus of Attention at the Scene. The Deep Integration of AI and Medical Technology Helps to Improve the Efficiency and Accuracy of Disease Diagnosis and Treatment.

Reporter Explores GE Healthcare's First AI and Deep Learning-Powered Full Imaging Chain Digital PET/CT Max Apollo on Its China Debut. According to GE Healthcare, Max Apollo significantly enhances data acquisition quality and improves quantitative accuracy, offering new approaches for the precise diagnosis and treatment of major diseases such as neurological disorders, cardiovascular conditions, and cancer, while supporting the development of nuclear medicine and clinical applications in China.

At the same time, at GE Healthcare's booth, reporters discovered a ChatGPT-like product in the medical device field. "At this year’s CIIE, GE Healthcare unveiled 'TechGPT,' the world’s first large language model in the medical field. Our product has three main advantages. First, its responses are highly accurate, with a current tested accuracy rate of 92%. Second, the answers it provides are comprehensive, fully addressing the questions raised by customers and compiling all relevant content into a logical and complete response. Third, the product is intelligent. On one hand, it demonstrates an understanding of user queries and can predict what users intend to ask; on the other hand, it can analyze user questions to precisely extract video clips." Huang Feng, Chief Digital Officer of GE Healthcare China, told reporters.

At this year's CIIE, Siemens Healthineers showcased the AI-powered flagship cardiovascular ultrasound system, Acuson Origin, for the first time in China. According to the staff at the Siemens Healthineers booth, the AI capabilities of Acuson Origin have been trained on the world's largest heart image database and can provide more than 5,600 AI-based automated ultrasound measurements. Acuson Origin helps reduce variability in examinations among doctors of different levels of experience, improving the accuracy and consistency of diagnostic results.

In addition, surgical robots also gained favor among participants. The ZAP-X Mars Boat radiosurgery robot (referred to as ZAP-X) is a radiosurgery treatment system specifically developed for solid malignant tumors and lesions in the head and neck region, and it is also the world's first radiotherapy device with self-shielding capabilities. "This is the first time we have brought a highly innovative non-invasive surgical device to the CIIE. It is a non-invasive stereotactic radiosurgery device with a self-shielding design. We can see that its structure is fundamentally different from traditional radiotherapy equipment. First of all, it completely encloses the radiation beams within the device. Secondly, it is a device designed for radiosurgery of the head and neck, with all parameters designed to maximize efficacy. For example, its penumbra is the narrowest in the entire industry," ZAP Surgical China Senior Clinical Operations Manager Xian Zheng told reporters.

"Regarding installations, more than 30 overseas customers have already installed the equipment, primarily from North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. In China, we have collaborated with the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital to conduct clinical trials. On June 20, 2023, the device was officially approved for marketing in China. Currently, some clients in China have already installed this equipment. In July this year, we reached a strategic cooperation agreement with Baiyang Pharmaceutical Group. Going forward, both parties will work together to complete the production and manufacturing of ZAP-X in China, with the potential to supply the global market. ZAP-X has obvious technological advantages in head and neck treatments and may potentially replace Gamma Knife as a new piece of equipment for treating head and neck tumors in hospitals," said Xian Zheng.

Notably, Stryker is presenting six products for the first time in China at this year's CIIE, including the Mako SmartRobotics™ Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) 4.0 System. According to staff at the booth, this smart joint robot assists doctors in planning the angle of prosthesis implantation before surgery. It also features a complete upgrade in functions such as simulating postoperative joint function and providing intraoperative femoral neck navigation for osteotomy, enhancing the user experience for doctors.

Broad market space

Technological innovation is the main thread of the medical device industry development. In recent years, the application of AI in the medical device field has become increasingly enriched, with innovative products constantly emerging and a broad market space.

Zhongtai Securities stated that the application scenarios of artificial intelligence technology in the field of medical imaging cover early screening, diagnosis, and later treatment and follow-up, presenting a very promising market space. "We expect that as more department-specific products receive regulatory approval, AI imaging products are likely to see accelerated adoption. From the perspective of different departments, there is a significant demand for the localization of imaging equipment hardware. We anticipate that the coordinated promotion of 'software + hardware' will expedite the entry of AI products into hospitals."

"Compared with emerging artificial intelligence enterprises, companies already in the medical industry can fully leverage their product strengths. The combination of medical devices and AI hardware and software drives the development of precision and intelligent diagnosis and treatment within hospitals." China Merchants Securities believes that, specifically, "AI + diagnostic and therapeutic devices" and "AI + medical robots" are currently popular niche areas. The core value of "AI + diagnostic and therapeutic devices" lies in enhancing the precision of treatments and effectively addressing the uneven distribution of medical resources across regions and varying levels of doctors' expertise. "AI + medical robots" have high clinical value, among which rehabilitation robots and surgical robots are widely used.

Specifically, in the field of surgical robots, the Headline Research Institute released a report stating that the growth potential of China's surgical robot market is significant. From 2018 to 2021, the market size of China's surgical robot industry increased from 1.07 billion yuan to 4.19 billion yuan, with an annual compound growth rate of 57.7%; it is expected that by 2028, the market size will further increase to 45.13 billion yuan.