Lvdong Tech Combines AI and Microparticle Manipulation for Fast, Accurate, and Affordable Multiplex Diagnostics

Online consultations and smart healthcare are transforming the way we access medical services, but their foundation—rapid, accurate, and affordable diagnostic technologies—remains an urgent challenge. Jiang Qi, founder of Rhythm (Chongqing) Artificial Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Rhythm AI”), recognized this critical pain point and led his team to develop a rapid multi-sample detection solution based on microparticle manipulation technology and deep learning. Recently, VCBeat conducted an in-depth interview with Jiang Qi, exploring the story behind this innovative technology.

Jiang Qi’s background is quite unique. “I am not a researcher with formal training in the field; my undergraduate major was mechanical engineering, and I initially didn’t even know how to code.””Yet, it is precisely this interdisciplinary background that enables Jiang Qi to approach problems with a more open perspective during his entrepreneurial journey.

As a serial entrepreneur, Jiang Qi’s every venture has stemmed from his observation and reflection on real-world problems. Each of his projects is driven by a simple, goal-oriented motivation. Jiang Qi explained, “This goal usually arises when I encounter an issue in my personal life or work within a certain process, and I happen to believe there is an effective way to solve it.””

For example, Jiang Qi was one of the earliest participants in China’s ride-hailing app market. “At that time, I was in Shanghai. Besides hailing taxis by hand and using telephone-based dispatch platforms, it was still difficult to secure a ride in remote areas or during peak hours. So I began exploring the use of apps to address this issue.””This approach of addressing real-world needs by leveraging technology to solve problems has been a consistent thread throughout Jiang Qi’s entrepreneurial career.

In the project of Rhythm (Chongqing) Artificial Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd., Jiang Qi once again demonstrated his ability to solve practical problems.He emphasized an important concept—distributed testing. With population aging and the growing demand for health services, distributed diagnostics will become increasingly vital. This decentralization is reflected in community- and home-based testing, enabling more convenient health monitoring and disease prevention.

Jiang Qi explained to VCBeat: “Why is it that the smart healthcare and internet hospitals many people talk about today cannot be fully realized? The key lies in the fact that, at home or within residential communities, there is a high probability that we cannot complete the most basic diagnostic examinations required by hospitals; we can only perform basic operations such as blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring. On this basis, the demand for distributed testing will become enormous.””

Rhythm Technology’s vision is to leverage its technology to miniaturize and portabilize detection equipment, thereby enabling true distributed testing.Jiang Qi envisions that future diagnostic devices could be as simple and user-friendly as video game cartridges. The terminal would resemble a compact gaming console, with different diagnostic chips functioning like distinct game cartridges; inserting one would initiate the corresponding test. This approach would enable rapid and accurate testing in settings ranging from community hospitals to private homes.

The core technologies of Rhythm Tech comprise two components: microparticle manipulation technology and AI algorithm models.

There is a synergy between these two technologies. Overall, the detection process is like “the boy who cried wolf.””story, microparticle manipulation technology is responsible for detecting "wolf”and emit signals, while AI algorithms are responsible for determining whether these signals are true or false. Specifically, microparticle manipulation technology employs electrochemical methods to induce differential responses in samples under electrical signals, and AI algorithms identify these differences to determine positive or negative results.This technological combination offers four significant advantages:

First, this method offers rapid detection, with a turnaround time as short as 30 seconds, which is ten times faster than conventional methods.For example, traditional methods for detecting myocardial infarction biomarkers require 15–20 minutes, whereas the golden window for treating myocardial infarction is only 5 minutes. Rhythm Technology’s method can deliver results within 1–2 minutes, which may mean the difference between life and death in emergency situations.

Secondly, this method offers high detection accuracy, particularly in the detection of avian influenza, with an accuracy rate exceeding 95%.The deep learning models used by Rhythm Tech can capture subtle features that are difficult to detect with traditional methods.

Furthermore, this method exhibits high detection sensitivity, with a limit of detection as low as the fg/mL level.This means that we can detect extremely trace amounts of biomarkers, facilitating early disease detection.

Finally, this method offers low detection costs, with equipment prices controllable within the range of several thousand to tens of thousands of yuan, and an even lower cost per test.

Rhythm Technology’s solutions offer broad application prospects, covering the detection of four major target categories: proteins, viruses, small molecules, and cells. Specific application scenarios include medical diagnostics, animal disease testing, food safety inspection, and environmental monitoring.

Among these applications, Jiang Qi specifically highlighted those in the field of food safety: “For instance, we can detect aflatoxins in food. School cafeterias can conduct regular tests for harmful substances in food and publish the results, thereby enhancing transparency and giving people greater peace of mind.””He added, “Much of the concern actually stems from a lack of transparency. If you take the initiative to disclose information and maintain it, I believe it will be beneficial to everyone.””

In the medical field, Jiang Qi envisions a scenario: “Suppose a patient suffers from frequent coughing. They could undergo a test before seeking medical attention to obtain the characteristics of all samples. After a period of medication, they would take another test to compare the differences between the two sets of results. This approach would not only help physicians better understand the progression of the condition but also provide valuable data for new drug research.””

Currently, Rhythm’s technology has been validated across multiple scenarios, including the aforementioned avian influenza testing, as well as medical settings such as community hospitals, clinics, emergency departments, intensive care units (ICUs), and ambulances. In terms of commercial strategy, Rhythm Technology plans to first enter non-medical fields such as food safety testing and anti-drug laboratories to rapidly validate its technology and accumulate experience.

Discussing the company’s future plans, Jiang Qi disclosed its fundraising strategy. Rhythm Technology is seeking financing in the tens of millions, primarily for two purposes: first, to expand sample coverage and enhance its competitive advantage; second, to obtain marketing authorization for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical devices, thereby enabling its technology to truly integrate into the healthcare system. Jiang Qi explained, “The greater our sample coverage, the higher our competitive barriers become; this is a process of exponential growth. Securing IVD approval is the key to entering the medical market.””

Beyond capital, Rhythm Tech places significant emphasis on channel partnerships. “We require more scenario-based data to validate and refine our technology. Whether it is law enforcement agencies, medical institutions, or the aquaculture industry, Rhythm Tech is eager to collaborate actively with any party that has testing needs. This is precisely where the value of ‘diversified’ testing technology lies.””

In this data-driven era, rapid and accurate detection technologies will undoubtedly play an increasingly vital role. Leveraging its innovative microparticle manipulation technology and AI algorithms, Rhythm Technology is bringing revolutionary changes to the field of multi-sample testing. This represents not only technological advancement but also a significant transformation in healthcare service models. As the technology continues to mature and its applications expand, we have every reason to believe that faster, more accurate, and more portable testing methods will soon become a reality, safeguarding people’s health and safety.

In the future, when we discuss smart healthcare and remote diagnosis, Rhythm Technology’s solutions may well have become an integral component, contributing to the upgrading of the entire healthcare system. As Jiang Qi stated, this revolution has only just begun, and Rhythm Technology is already actively engaged in it.