Genesis Nationwide Installations Reach 10: First Unit Lands at Shanghai No. 411 Hospital

Dr. Xu Zequan has performed eye surgery for decades, but on June 17, 2026, something felt different. Operating at Shanghai University Affiliated No. 411 Hospital, he used China's first domestically approved integrated phacoemulsification-vitrectomy system—the Genesis, made by Hangzhou-based Rhino Health. "The performance is almost on par with established imported machines," he said after completing the hospital's first procedure with the device.

The surgery marked the 10th Genesis installation nationwide and the first in Shanghai. For Rhino Health, it represents a milestone in a market long dominated by foreign manufacturers whose devices command premium prices and often require extended wait times for maintenance and support.

A Hospital's Stamp of Approval

Shanghai No. 411 Hospital, founded in 1949, is a Grade-A tertiary general public hospital with decades of ophthalmology expertise. Its surgical team specializes in complex cataract procedures and challenging retinal cases, operating under strict clinical quality controls that have made it a benchmark institution in the Shanghai region.

The hospital's decision to adopt Genesis—installing it on June 16, 2026, and performing the inaugural surgery the following day—carries weight in an industry where equipment selection reflects clinical standards.

Breaking the Import Barrier

For years, the integrated phacoemulsification-vitrectomy market has been controlled by overseas brands. Imported systems, while proven, come with higher price tags and longer service response cycles—a pain point for Chinese hospitals managing tight budgets and growing patient volumes.

Genesis, as the first domestically approved integrated device, offers what Rhino Health positions as comparable core performance with the advantage of localized, rapid-response service. The company's technology aims to provide a viable alternative to import-dependent procurement.

From Wet Lab to Operating Room

Dr. Xu's assessment reflects practical concerns that matter to surgeons: ease of use, cutting speed, and the learning curve for younger physicians. "The phacoemulsification performance is excellent, the vitrectomy cut rate is fast, and it requires almost no adaptation period," he noted. "Even young doctors at grassroots hospitals should be able to learn to use it quickly."

His confidence extends beyond the device itself. "Current national policy strongly supports the development of domestic equipment," he said. "I have confidence in Rhino Health."

The Genesis system's journey—from academic wet labs where it earned broad praise to its current deployment in tertiary hospitals—illustrates a broader shift. Chinese medical device manufacturers are moving from imitation to innovation, challenging entrenched foreign players in specialized surgical equipment.

With ten installations completed and the first Shanghai procedure successfully behind it, Rhino Health's Genesis now faces the test that matters most: consistent clinical performance across diverse hospital settings. The next chapter will be written not in press releases, but in operating rooms, one surgery at a time.