Why Medtronic Stands Alone as the Only Medical Company in the AI Zone at the Chain Expo
Medtronic
Medical Device Manufacturer
2026Year6Month22Day,The 4th China International Supply Chain ExpoOpened in Beijing.
Steel, automobiles, energy, and logistics have always been the mainstays of this exhibition. However, in this year’s AI zone, there is a boothVerySpecial——Medtronic,One of the world’s largest medical technology companies, becoming the sole medical enterprise in this zone。
During the exhibition, Medtronic also held on-site events at its boothBeijing Digital Innovation Base (BDIC）"Intelligent Digital Engine"Lighting Ceremony and Launch of the Joint Initiative to Build a Medical Innovation EcosystemRen Hongbin, President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade; Lin Shunjie, Chairman of China International Exhibition Center Group Corporation; Cao Shan, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Communications, Medtronic Greater China; Sun Xiaoyu, Vice President of Regional IT Services, Medtronic Greater China; Vice President of the Cardiac Rhythm and Ablation Business Team, Greater China，Lin Song, Head of Shared Functions for the Cardiovascular Business Portfolio in China; Xu Bangda, Vice President of Commercial Operations for the Orthopedics and Neurosurgery Business at Medtronic China; and Chen Yonghai, Senior Director of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Business Unit at Medtronic China, jointly attended, focusing onAIIn-depth exchanges on topics such as empowering medical innovation and collaborative development of the industry chain, and jointly initiating"Co-creating a Medical Innovation Ecosystem"Initiative.
Why a Global Medical Technology Giant Chose to Appear at the Supply Chain ExhibitionAISpecial Zone, and why bring such a lineup?This choice conceals a judgment.：AI
Observing how industry giants position themselves often clarifies the direction of a sector. Medtronic has taken root in China37Year, what this exhibition brings is a coverage of clinicalAIApplication, Localized Intelligent Manufacturing Achievements, and Comprehensive Practice in Industrial Ecosystem Development——On Display9This product may be the most direct lens through which to observe the company’s current China strategy.
MedicalAIvalue ultimately returns to specific clinical scenarios. Medtronic has introduced six modelsAIRelated products cover two major areas: surgical decision-making and navigation, and long-term management with digital-intelligence innovation, each addressing clinical pain points in different departments and at different stages.
Surgical Decision-Making and Navigation
1. Transcatheter Heart Valve ReplacementAIAssistant
Transcatheter heart valve replacement is a highly complex procedure. Due to significant variations in patient anatomy, preoperative planning and intraoperative decision-making have long relied heavily on physicians’ accumulated experience. This device, jointly developed by Medtronic and its local partners,AIAssistant, shift part of the decision-making process to the preoperative stage:
Pre-simulation of Complex Surgical Procedures
Anticipating Intraoperative Risk Nodes
Generate Personalized Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
AIThe role of computing power here is to transform the preoperative simulation process, which originally existed only in the lead surgeon’s experience, into quantifiable and visualizable preparatory steps, thereby narrowing the scope of uncertainty before the surgery begins.
2. CathWorks FFRangioSystem
During coronary artery stent implantation surgery,FFR(Fractional Flow Reserve) is a key functional indicator for determining whether stenotic lesions require intervention. Traditional measurement methods require inserting a pressure wire into the vessel and administering hyperemic agents, with an average time consumption of approximately20minutes, which is an invasive procedure.CathWorks FFRangioSystem*UseAIReconstructed this process:
Only requires3Standard Coronary Angiography Images
No pressure wire required, no hyperemic agents needed
Approx.4Minutes to Complete the Entire Coronary TreeFFRValue Estimation and Generation
Transition from invasive to non-invasive procedures significantly reduces detection time, thereby lowering patients' procedural risks and diagnostic and therapeutic burdens.
Figure:CathWorks FFRangio System
3. Stealth Station FLEX ENTNavigation System
The operative space for endoscopic ear, nose, and throat surgery is extremely narrow. The sinuses are adjacent to high-risk structures such as the orbit and skull base, and the limited endoscopic field of view makes it difficult for surgeons to maintain real-time awareness of the spatial relationship between instruments and surrounding tissues during procedures.Stealth Station FLEX ENTThe navigation system integrates digital intelligence technology throughout the entire surgical procedure:
Preoperative: Determination of Surgical Site Based on Imaging Data3DModeling to Assist Physicians in Precise Surgical Path Planning
Intraoperative: Provides real-time spatial localization, displaying the relative positions of instruments to target tissues and critical vessels outside the endoscopic field of view
This system augments surgeons’ spatial awareness, a capability that directly defines the safety margins in procedures involving complex anatomical structures or limited visibility.
Figure:Stealth Station FLEX ENT Navigation System
4. PerceptTM RC
If the aforementioned products provide decision support to physicians within the operating room, PerceptTMRC stands forDeeper AI Integration in the Treatment of Neurological Disorders. Tracing the industry's development, the world's first deep brain stimulation surgery was performed in 1987.
Figure:PerceptTM RC ImplantationRechargeable Deep Brain Stimulator
As the world's first AI-integrated brain-computer interface product, PerceptTMRC has fundamentally transformed the therapeutic logic of brain pacemakers. This rechargeable, sensing-enabled closed-loop brain pacemaker can real-time perceive and analyze electroencephalographic activity in patients with neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, dynamically adjusting stimulation parameters in response to changes in their condition.Four Words Summarize Its Working Mode: Brain Reading—Interpretation—Feedback—Healing.The device is no longer merely a mechanism that executes pre-programmed instructions, but a closed-loop system that continuously responds to neural signals. This product has now been formally deployed in clinical practice in China, making the country one of the most important settings for the clinical implementation of this cutting-edge technology.
Long-Term Management and Digital Intelligence Innovation
1. Medtronic Rhythm Digital Intelligence Manager
Cardiac Electronic Implantable Devices (Pacemakers,ICDetc.) after implantation, patients require long-term follow-up. The traditional model primarily relies on periodic hospital visits for follow-up, with limited frequency, often resulting in delayed detection of device abnormal events. The Cardiac Rhythm Digital Intelligence Manager, specifically launched for Chinese patients, throughAIEmpowering the Remote Follow-up System to Transform This Management Model:
Patients can complete real-time transmission of device data from home.
AIAssist in identifying abnormal rhythm events, alleviating physicians’ workload from reviewing items individually
Physicians retain full decision-making authority, and their clinical leadership role remains unchanged.
Follow-up management extends to continuous monitoring, thereby narrowing the response window for adverse events. For China, where medical resources are unevenly distributed, the significance of this shift in management model far exceeds mere convenience.
Figure:Medtronic Rhythm Digital Intelligence Manager
2. AiBLEDigital Intelligence Innovation Ecosystem
In the fields of orthopedics and neurosurgery, Medtronic Kanghui Changzhou Science and Technology ParkAiBLECentered on a digital-intelligence innovation ecosystem, we continuously advance the R&D of advanced medical technologies and enhance high-end manufacturing capabilities.AiBLESpanning the broad spectrum from innovative R&D to industrial synergy, this ecosystem drives the systematic implementation of digital and intelligent technologies in orthopedics and neurosurgery. Leveraging this ecosystem for incubation,NIM-ECLIPSEIntraoperative Neuromonitoring Systems have been successively introduced into South Korea, Singapore, Bangladesh, and other countries and regions, thereby establishing the Changzhou Science and Technology Park as a regional platform that integrates manufacturing capabilities with innovation origination functions.
Figure:AiBLE Digital Intelligence Innovation Ecosystem
If we sayAIThe product showcases Medtronic’s technological application capabilities, while localization and local intelligent manufacturing demonstrate the depth and solidity of the company’s roots in China.
The three products unveiled this time vary in their strategic focus: some address the specific clinical needs of Chinese patients, while others follow a path of research, development, and manufacturing in China for export to global markets. Despite these different directions, they all point to one common reality: Medtronic’s operations in China have evolved beyond simply introducing global products into the local market.
Solving Problems for Chinese Patients
Intracranial atherosclerotic disease is one of the major causes of acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion in the Chinese population, a pattern that differs significantly from the predominantly cardioembolic etiology observed in Western populations. In some patients, despite successful mechanical thrombectomy, stent placement remains necessary due to underlying vascular conditions, which traditionally entails at least two separate endovascular procedures.MeilutongFRIt is currently the only domestically produced detachable intracranial thrombectomy stent in the industry:
After successful thrombectomy and confirmation of blood flow restoration, the physician may actively release the stent from the delivery system, leaving it in place within the vessel.
Thrombectomy and stent placement are performed in the same procedure
Reduce repeat interventions and the use of additional instruments, thereby lowering the surgical burden on patients.
Figure:Meilutong FR Intracranial Thrombectomy Stent
Departing from China
MianNuPaceSeries of Implantable Cardiac Pacemakers, is a model built from the ground up as part of Medtronic's localization strategy in China.2021In [Year], Medtronic established Mai’an in Shanghai Lingang, positioning it as the sole high-end intelligent manufacturing base for cardiac pacemakers within its China strategy. The research, development, and manufacturing of high-end cardiac pacemakers involve extremely high barriers to entry, and the market had long been dominated by imported products. After several years of platform development and R&D investment:
2025At the end of the year,NuPaceSeries of Implantable Cardiac Pacemakers (for the Treatment of Bradycardia) Officially Approved for Market Launch
2026Year4Month, completed the first batch of clinical implants
The approval for market launch is closely integrated with clinical application, completing the full localization cycle of high-end medical devices by Mai'an.
Figure:Medtronic NuPace Series Implantable Cardiac Pacemaker
Medtronic Kangdi Integrated Surgical BaseIt has taken a different path. The base handles the entire process from R&D and design to production, with its independently developed electric endoscopic surgical staplers currently supplying not only the Chinese market but also being exported to European countries such as France, Austria, and Spain. High-end technologies are locally researched and developed in China, enabling products to enter mature European markets.——This path aligns with the historical trajectory of the medical device industry"Import Substitution"...stands in stark contrast to the unidirectional logic; the value of indigenous innovation is being validated by a larger market.
Figure:Medtronic Kangdi Integrated Surgical Base, Electric Endoscopic Stapler
Beyond Products and Technology,6Month24held at the booth on the afternoon ofBeijing Digital Innovation Base (BDIC）"Intelligent Digital Engine"Lighting Ceremony & Launch of the Co-Building Initiative for a Medical Innovation Ecosystem, bringing another layer of intent behind this exhibition to light.
This base is located in Beijing International Innovation Park,2025Officially commenced operations at the end of the year, positioned as a collaborative platform connecting industry chain partners, research institutions, and clinical experts.Cao ShanIn his remarks, he stated that Medtronic keenly recognizedAIThe Broad Prospects of Technologically Restructuring the Healthcare Value Chain, Committed to Becoming a Driver and Shaper of This Transformation.Sun XiaoyuIn the keynote address, further elaboration was provided on the implementation pathway for this direction: leveraging the Beijing Digital Innovation Hub as a key pillar, fully capitalizing on China’s local data resources and ecosystem advantages, deeply driving the reshaping of the healthcare value chain and digital innovation, and accelerating the development and practical application of outcomes within the local medical innovation ecosystem.
During the roundtable discussion, three business leaders outlined, from their respective clinical scenarios,AIThe Realistic Landscape of Implementation.
Lin SongRegarding the fact that patients with cardiac rhythm disorders often face issues such as poor adherence and delayed data feedback during long-term postoperative follow-up, while hospitals also grapple with challenges like resource constraints and untimely interventions, the Intelligent Cardiac Rhythm Follow-up Steward is precisely designed to address these pain points byAIEmpower the remote follow-up system to enhance the convenience of patient self-management while preserving physicians' decision-making authority.
Xu BangdathenAiBLEDigital Intelligence Innovation Ecosystem Positioned in Orthopedics and Neurosurgery Fields"Evolution from Single-Point Technology to a Full-Process Ecosystem"pioneer, throughAILeverage big data to break down device barriers and enable cross-system collaboration, empowering physicians with more precise preoperative planning, more efficient intraoperative execution, and smarter postoperative management.
Chen YonghaiThe sharing session highlighted another layer of value that digital intelligence brings to the field of otorhinolaryngology:Stealth Station FLEX ENTPreoperative Construction of the Navigation System3DImaging models, not only serving surgical planning, but also allowing patients to"Unable to understand"to"Understandable", transforming the mode of doctor-patient communication; integrating navigation, powered systems, and endoscopic systems into a comprehensive digital-intelligent surgical platform represents the next step in the evolution toward systematic and intelligent solutions in this field.
This launch meeting serves as a concentrated presentation of the base’s phased achievements and also sends a message to the industry"Co-creating a Medical Innovation Ecosystem"Formal occasions for the initiative.At the supply chain level, Medtronic currently has nearly in China7000domestic supply chain partners,2026Total procurement in China for the fiscal year is approximately57100 million yuan.of which indirect procurement90%Supplied by domestic suppliers; under direct procurement, approx.90%locally sourced content in China is supplied to Medtronic’s global factories. Another implication of these figures is that the local supply chain Medtronic has built in China has become deeply integrated into its global manufacturing system.
The core agenda of the CIIE is supply chain collaboration. Medtronic has chosen this platform to present a comprehensive landscape encompassing clinical innovation, localized products, local intelligent manufacturing, and industrial ecosystem, which serves as a testament to its own37a systematic review of the experience accumulated in China over the years, as well as a public statement on future directions—At a critical stage in the high-quality development of China’s healthcare industry, its answer lies in deepening local commitment and co-building an ecosystem.
