United Imaging's Subsidiary Unveils Nine New Patent Filings in One Day, Spanning Surgical Robots and Intelligent Medical Imaging

On July 2, a subsidiary of United Imaging GroupUnited Imaging Surgical，Nine New Patents Published。

The nine patents are as follows: Model Training; Method, System, Device, and Medium for Processing Medical Image Data; Simulation Path Display System, Method, Computer Device, and Storage Medium; Drive Structure for Surgical Stapling Instruments and Surgical Stapling Instrument (Publication No.: CN118267026A); Control Method, System, Device, and Medium for Surgical Robots; Drive Structure for Surgical Stapling Instruments and Surgical Stapling Instrument (Publication No.: CN118267027A); Brain Partitioning Method, Apparatus, Electronic Device, and Storage Medium; Method, System, Device, and Medium for Processing Medical Image Data; Atrial Fibrillation Data Interaction Processing System, Method, and Apparatus; Gravity Balance Device and Robotic Arm Joint.

The nine patented designs cover a broad range, including surgical instruments, intelligent medical imaging, and medical surgical robotic systems and devices.Among them, multiple patents relate to performance enhancements for surgical robots, including operational stability, precision, and intelligence.

United Imaging Healthcare, established in 2011 and listed on the STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2022, is a leading enterprise in China’s medical imaging equipment industry. The company has launched multiple world-first and China-originated products in the field of imaging devices, including CT, PET-CT, and PET/MR systems.

In 2018, United Imaging and Tongji Hospital in Wuhan signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement in Wuhan. Leveraging their respective resources and strengths in their professional fields, the two parties jointly established multiple medical innovation platforms.Among these, intelligent surgical robots are a key research focus.

In 2019, United Imaging Healthcare decided to expand from imaging into therapeutics and established its fourth subsidiary, United Imaging Intelligent Surgery. United Imaging Intelligent Surgery is positioned as a provider of R&D for high-end medical equipment, as well as innovative clinical application products and solutions.

In 2021, Tongji Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and Wuhan United Imaging Healthcare Surgical Technology Co., Ltd. collaborated on joint research and development.“Research and Development Project for the Complete System of 3D Image-Guided Surgical Robots”, marking United Imaging’s official entry into the surgical robotics sector. This also represents another niche business area expanded by the United Imaging Group, following its ventures in medical imaging and radiotherapy equipment, AI-based imaging, life science instruments, precision medical imaging centers, and healthcare chips.

In July 2023, the first surgical robot developed by United Imaging Healthcare Surgical Technology, the “United Imaging Neurosurgical Surgical Robot,” completed multi-center clinical trials.Multiple neurosurgical experts from Tongji Hospital, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Ruijin Hospital, and West China Hospital participated in the trial. A total of nearly 200 trajectories were completed, involving various surgical procedures, all demonstrating high accuracy in entry point and target localization. No device-related adverse events or serious adverse events occurred throughout the study.

United Imaging is not the only medical device company to have crossed over into the surgical robotics sector. Previously, MicroPort, a coronary stent manufacturer, and Weigao, a bone and joint device company, have also entered the field of surgical robot R&D.It is worth noting that the neurosurgical surgical robot sector chosen by United Imaging relies heavily on medical imaging technology and features high barriers to scientific research.

Currently, the neurosurgical robots approved for marketing in China mainly come fromMedtech, Huake Jingzhun, Baihui WeikangandHuazhi Minimally InvasiveFour companies.

Huazhi Minimally Invasive Product PortfolioCAS-R-2 Frameless Stereotactic Neurosurgical SystemApproved for marketing in 2002,It is one of the earliest surgical robots in China with fully independent intellectual property rights.. It is positioned as a minimally invasive neurosurgical surgical robot, which causes smaller wounds and less blood loss compared to traditional neurosurgery, facilitating postoperative recovery for patients.

Developed by a U.S. Medtech Company in 2020ROSA One Surgical RobotApproved by the NMPA and entered the Chinese market.This device was the only one approved for market launch in China at the time, serving as a surgical navigation robot applicable to both neurosurgery and spinal surgery.This surgical robot is equipped with six-degree-of-freedom robotic arm sensing technology, precise haptic feedback technology, software-programmable control for complex instrument manipulation, visual navigation capabilities, and dynamic patient positioning tracking technology, enabling the safe and precise performance of a variety of neurosurgical and spinal procedures.

On January 13, 2022, Huake Jingzhun, in collaboration with Tsinghua University and multiple hospitals, jointly developed independently,Micro “High-Intelligence” Q300 Neurosurgical Robot System, approved for market launch by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). It can be used to perform various procedures related to intracerebral hemorrhage, brain tumor biopsy, and associated surgeries in emergency departments or hospital wards.

Additionally, in 2023, the company developedSINOBOT X1 Neurosurgical RobotReceived FDA approval for market launch, which is alsoThe world’s first neurosurgical robot based on 3D structured light technology to receive FDA approval.

Shortly after the approval of Huake Jingzhun’s products, on January 19, 2022, the Chinese company Baihui Weikang developedRemi RM-50 Surgical RobotIt has also received marketing approval. Its independently developed optical tracking and positioning system and “intelligent manufacturing” robotic arm have not only reduced the manufacturing costs of surgical robots, but also enhanced the precision and stability of neurosurgical robots.

It is worth noting that this product is a key core component of China's neurosurgical surgical robots.Achieving True "Domestic Production" for the First Time, breaking the monopoly and blockade imposed by overseas enterprises.