Dalve Medical's Li Kai: Breaking Through in High-End Domestic Medical Devices Requires the Integration of Technology, Capital, and Clinical Expertise

In the vast arena of high-end medical devices, technological innovation is often led by a few “game-changers.” These individuals are either seasoned technical experts or entrepreneurs with a keen eye for market gaps. Li Kai, founder of Beijing Dalue Medical Technology Co., Ltd., embodies both roles. As an Engineering Doctorate candidate in the Innovative Leading Engineers Program at Tsinghua University’s Department of Electronic Information, he has combined his years of experience in the field of respiratory and anesthesia care with cutting-edge engineering technologies. Focusing on the niche area of high-frequency superimposed jet ventilators—a previously unmastered domain—he is committed to breaking the monopoly of imported products through independently developed high-end respiratory therapy equipment, thereby writing a new chapter in the innovation of domestically produced medical devices.

Li Kai’s story did not begin on a whim, but rather stemmed from his profound insight into the pain points of the industry. After many years of working in the field of respiratory and anesthesiology, he identified significant shortcomings in China’s high-end respiratory therapy equipment, particularly in high-frequency jet ventilators. Especially in the aftermath of the pandemic, the technological gap between China and other countries, along with the potential risk of technology blockades, made him realize the critical importance of mastering core technologies. His original intention in founding his company was to translate technology into practical applications, developing products that are truly useful and safe for clinicians and patients, and to drive the development of domestically produced medical equipment through the efforts of himself and his team.

Figure: Li Kai, Founder of Dalue Medical

In the field of respiratory therapy equipment, imported high-end devices have long dominated the market. Particularly in critical scenarios such as respiratory interventional procedures and critical care treatment, the “chokehold” problem once left clinicians facing the dilemma of “having demand but no equipment.”

“During the pandemic, I gained a more direct understanding of the risks that lockdowns could pose to domestic respiratory equipment.” Discussing the impetus for his startup, Li Kai’s tone conveyed the urgency typical of an industry insider. With over a decade of deep expertise in respiratory anesthesia, he has witnessed numerous hospitals relying heavily on imported devices: a single foreign high-frequency jet ventilator costs as much as RMB 2 million, making it unaffordable for routine deployment even in some top-tier (Grade III Class A) hospitals in Beijing; meanwhile, primary-care hospitals were left “with no viable options” when facing ventilation needs during respiratory interventional procedures.

Underlying this predicament is the fact that domestically produced high-end respiratory equipment still has shortcomings in niche segments. Li Kai recalls that when he first encountered pure high-frequency ventilation technology, the product’s frequency could only reach 300 breaths per minute (bpm), and pure high-frequency jet ventilation was associated with problems such as carbon dioxide retention, making it difficult to meet the demands of complex clinical scenarios. “Effective ventilation is the cornerstone of interventional pulmonology procedures. Achieving technological breakthroughs in this area would not only enhance procedural safety and benefit patients, but also foster the development of the discipline and drive the advancement of the entire industry chain.”

In 2024, Beijing Dalue Medical was officially established, with Li Kai and his team focusing on the niche sector of “high-frequency superimposed conventional frequency jet ventilation.” This area not only aligned with his research focus during his Doctor of Engineering in Innovation Leadership program at Tsinghua University but also represented a key field where he identified both urgent clinical needs and significant potential for domestic substitution. “My research has been aimed at achieving the domestic production of high-frequency superimposed conventional frequency open ventilation technology. From the outset, my goal was not merely to produce laboratory results, but to develop practical products capable of saving patients’ lives and replacing imported alternatives.”

In scenarios requiring open ventilation, such as respiratory interventional procedures and battlefield first aid, traditional ventilators often struggle to maintain oxygenation. In contrast, pure high-frequency jet ventilation can ensure adequate oxygenation but carries an increased risk of carbon dioxide retention due to insufficient expiratory time. The breakthrough chosen by Dalue Medical addresses this gap in the domestic market: a high-frequency superimposed on conventional frequency jet ventilator.

Li Kai compares medical devices to “aircraft, tanks, and missiles,” emphasizing that their technological evolution is more of a “generational accumulation.” Based on this engineering mindset, Dalue Medical independently developed an intelligent high-frequency superimposed conventional-frequency jet ventilator, which integrates high-frequency and conventional airflow to achieve dual-airflow superimposed oscillatory jet ventilation.

This seemingly simple “superposition” is underpinned by a series of technological breakthroughs. In the early stages of R&D, the team’s greatest challenge was “millisecond-level airflow control”: high-frequency jetting requires airflow response speeds at the millisecond level, while simultaneously ensuring stable jet pressure and oxygen concentration; moreover, the precision of the solenoid valves and pneumatic circuit structure directly determines the effectiveness of each jet. “Our core pneumatic circuit structure was independently developed and, combined with intelligent control algorithms, achieves precise millisecond-level airflow management. This has improved pressure control accuracy by 50% compared to similar imported products, and the modular design can meet the needs of various surgical procedures and other clinical scenarios,” added Li Kai.

Figure: High-frequency superimposed conventional frequency jet ventilator (Source: Dalue Medical)

More critically, this device addresses the most pressing clinical challenge: the longstanding difficulty of sharing the same airway between traditional surgical instruments and ventilation equipment. By employing a dedicated tubeless ventilating laryngoscope sheath, the device provides surgeons with an unobstructed visual field during procedures. Whether performing vocal cord polyp resection in laryngeal surgery, bronchoscopic laser surgery in pulmonology, or lobectomy in thoracic surgery, it ensures “uninterrupted ventilation and unrestricted operative maneuverability.”

This technological advantage has earned the product recognition during the clinical validation phase. Currently, Dalue Medical has established scientific research collaborations with institutions such as Chuiyangliu Hospital Affiliated to Tsinghua University. Notably, in preliminary experimental validations, the device’s performance has met or even surpassed that of imported products.

Currently, core components of ventilators in China, such as high-precision solenoid valves, gas sensors, and control modules, still rely partially on imports, which not only drives up production costs but also poses supply chain risks.

Li Kai believes that Dalue Medical’s mission is to achieve a breakthrough in the domestic production of high-end respiratory therapy equipment, filling the gap in core technologies within China. He candidly acknowledges that there remains a gap between domestically produced medical devices and imported products in terms of market presence and product quality; however, this disparity also signifies substantial potential for “domestic substitution.” He summarizes the development trajectory of China’s medical device industry as “introduction, digestion, absorption, and re-innovation,” and firmly believes that through the deep integration of technology and clinical practice, China can carve out its own unique path.

Dalie Medical’s response strategy is “phased breakthroughs and collaborative synergy.” On one hand, the team has initiated the localization of key components; currently, the gas circuit control module has been localized, with future efforts focused on overcoming technical challenges related to solenoid valves and gas sensors. On the other hand, by establishing partnerships with upstream and downstream enterprises as well as research institutes, the company is building a collaborative framework spanning “R&D–production–clinical application,” thereby enabling core technologies to evolve from “single-point breakthroughs” to “system integration.”

“Our mission is not merely to develop a single product, but to establish a domestic high-frequency ventilation technology platform,” stated Li Kai. Clinical literature and animal studies have demonstrated the significant advantages of high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) technology, which can address a wide range of applications including emergency transport, non-invasive and invasive treatment in hospital settings, as well as respiratory rehabilitation in community and home care environments. Over the next three to five years, Dalue Medical will expand its product portfolio around “high-frequency superimposed jet” ventilation technology, creating a series of products that meet diverse clinical needs. Ultimately, Li Kai aims for Dalue Medical to become a benchmark in the field of domestically produced high-end respiratory therapy equipment.

In terms of market layout, Dalue Medical’s planning is clear and pragmatic. In the Chinese market, the company enhances brand awareness and market share by strengthening its R&D capabilities, conducting clinical validations, engaging in academic promotion, and participating in professional exhibitions. Meanwhile, the company has also formulated an internationalization strategy, choosing to collaborate with overseas hospitals, research institutions, and distributors to introduce mature technologies and products to global markets. Li Kai’s goal is to steadily enter the high-end medical equipment international market and gain global recognition for Chinese-made products.

Dalue Medical’s intelligent high-frequency superimposed conventional-frequency jet ventilator has successfully advanced to the finals of the “2025 Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Innovation in Medical Translation and Industry Promotion Competition.” Its core highlight lies in its “clinical value orientation,” which not only addresses the high cost and operational complexity of imported equipment but also meets the needs of multiple departments—including laryngeal surgery, pulmonology, and thoracic surgery—through its modular design.

“Achieving good results is merely a form of interim recognition; the true test lies in whether the product can consistently address clinical challenges after its market launch. Nevertheless, the competition has at least demonstrated that innovations in high-end domestically produced respiratory equipment are gaining visibility within the industry and the market.” Li Kai believes that such competitions not only provide a platform for companies to showcase their innovative achievements but also facilitate their access to policy support, capital, and clinical resources. Through participation, companies can validate technical feasibility, solicit expert opinions, identify weaknesses and areas for improvement, thereby accelerating the transition of products from research and development to industrial commercialization.

“Many people say that domestic substitution is difficult, with the challenge lying in technology, but I believe the greater difficulty lies in coordination. Technology must align with clinical practice, clinical practice must attract capital, and capital must feed back into R&D; each element is indispensable.” Discussing the current state of the industry, Li Kai offered his own observations. He believes that the development of domestically produced medical devices in China currently faces two key issues: first, a disconnect between scientific research outcomes and clinical needs, where many laboratory technologies “appear advanced” but fail to address practical problems upon implementation; second, an immature capital environment, as some domestic funds have low tolerance for the “long cycles and high risks” associated with medical device R&D, preferring instead “short-term, low-effort, quick-return” projects.

“Just as innovative drugs require license-out deals to validate their value, domestically produced medical devices also need a positive cycle of ‘clinical acceptance plus market feedback.’” Citing Dalüe Medical as an example, Li Kai noted that the company has launched its Pre-A financing round, prioritizing industrial investors who “understand healthcare and can provide resources.” He stated, “Industrial investors can offer supply chain or channel support, which is crucial for startups.”

Meanwhile, Li Kai also called on more researchers to step out of the laboratory and focus on clinical pain points: “The breakthrough in ventilation technology in the field of respiratory intervention is not my individual achievement, but the result of joint efforts by our company’s R&D team, the research teams from Tsinghua University and Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, clinicians from hospitals such as Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, and upstream suppliers.” The breakthrough of Chinese-made devices has never been a solitary effort, but rather reflects the progress of the entire ecosystem.

“Technology Safeguards Respiratory Health” is not only Dalue Medical’s mission but also Li Kai’s personal standard. For Li Kai, breathing is the foundation of life, and enabling domestically produced equipment to safeguard this foundation holds more significance than any honor. “In the future, Dalue Medical aims not merely to be a substitute but an innovator, showcasing the technological prowess of Chinese respiratory devices to the world.” He believes that Dalue Medical represents a steadfast force centered on technology, guided by clinical needs, and committed to translating “national heavyweights” from the laboratory to clinical practice. Every step they take in exploration is aimed at ensuring that domestic medical equipment can not only achieve “substitution” but also embark on a “global expedition” in the future.