Digital Trade Expo Insight: East Meets West for a Shared Healthy Future

Report from Hangzhou, China on September 28: Observations at the Digital Trade Expo: East-West Integration, Sharing a Healthy Future

Author: Zhang Yuhuan

Medtronic’s Pipeline™ Vantage Surface-Modified Flow Diverter Stent Makes Its "Debut" in China After Approval, With a Surface That Mimics the "Invisibility Cloak" of Human Red Blood Cells to Reduce the Risk of Thrombosis Post-Implantation; Hangzhou Diagens Biotechnology Co., Ltd.’s Fully Automated Unmanned Cell Experiment Production Line Supports 24/7 Uninterrupted Operation, Enabling Seamless Nighttime Experiments; AI Tongue Diagnosis Device Accurately Identifies "Liver Qi Stagnation and Spleen Deficiency," Providing Intelligent Prescription Assistance by Generating Renowned Formulas Within Seconds…

Walking into the digital healthcare exhibition area of the 4th Global Digital Trade Expo, "The Future of Health" comes roaring in. Cutting-edge medical technology products from around the globe gather here, where the ancient wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine collides with advanced digital technologies, creating a dazzling spark that together outlines a vision of future healthcare.

Global Solutions Lead Healthcare Transformation

At each Digital Trade Expo, the innovative products of international medical giants always attract special attention.

At the scene, the fourth-generation blood flow diversion stent brought by Medtronic completed its "debut" in China after being approved. "Traditional therapy patches where there are 'potholes' (aneurysms), which is a temporary solution; blood flow diversion therapy, on the other hand, 'paves the way' inside the blood vessels, altering the direction of blood flow to allow for natural closure, which is a fundamental solution." According to the relevant person in charge at the booth, the core breakthrough of this product lies in the surface of the stent mesh being coated with a component of human red blood cells—phosphorylcholine polymer—like an "invisible cloak," enabling the stent to be implanted into the cerebral blood vessels where the aneurysm is located without being recognized by the body as a "foreign object," thereby reducing thrombus formation.

On site, GE Healthcare's Apex Quantum CT Experience Station showcased ultra-fast scanning and intelligent imaging, Hangzhou Diagens Biotechnology Co., Ltd.'s fully automatic cell experiment production line demonstrated the efficiency of an unmanned lab, and HBNCT Cancer Treatment System model from Hu Boron Neutron revealed the promising future of boron neutron capture therapy. From neuromodulation to surgery...RobotFrom gene sequencing to synthetic biology... These globally first-of-their-kind, internationally pioneering cutting-edge products jointly outline a blueprint for precise, minimally invasive, and highly efficient medical transformation.

Behind these breakthroughs is not only the drive of technological innovation but also a deep concern for human health.

"Artificial intelligence and digitalization are key forces in promoting healthcare equity and accessibility. We hope that platforms such as the Digital Trade Expo will facilitate more cross-disciplinary exchanges and industry cooperation, stimulating more local innovation," said Gu Yushao, Senior Vice President of Medtronic Global and President of Greater China.

The attention of multinational corporations to the Chinese market also reveals the deep driving force behind the development of digital healthcare — breaking through geographical and technical limitations via technological advancements, thereby serving a broader population with high-quality medical resources.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Embraces a Digital Renaissance

"Long-term late nights have led to a diagnosis of 'Liver Qi Stagnation and Spleen Deficiency,' which indeed matches the conclusion from my Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) consultation." In front of the booth at Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of TCM, Wang Lei, a "post-90s" programmer, was amazed after experiencing the "AI TCM Intelligent Constitution Identification Device."

The reporter learned that the device instantly generates a health report combining "observation, auscultation, inquiry, and pulse diagnosis" indicators with Western and Chinese medicine by intelligently collecting data such as tongue and pulse images and applying algorithmic analysis.

Fu Enqin, Deputy Director of the Health Management Center at Xixi Campus of Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, introduced that the system has accumulated more than a million clinical data entries, with 150,000 daily users and an error rate of less than 3%. In the future, it will be extended to communities and households, making traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment more accessible and standardized.

This is a microcosm of the "integration of Chinese and Western" charm in the digital healthcare exhibition area.

With a wave of the hand, a virtual bamboo grove sways gently in the wind; as the movement concludes, rippling light shimmers beneath the feet… A "TCM Motion-Sensing Digital Interactive" system is guiding the audience to learn the Eight Pieces of Brocade, a traditional health-enhancing exercise. The standardization of movements can be instantly fed back through motion-sensing interactive technology, bringing digital vitality to this ancient practice.

Not only that, but the highly popular traditional Chinese medicine products on site, such as compound essential oil, plum and lotus leaf tea, and five-element sachets, also demonstrated the successful transformation of traditional Chinese medicine from classic prescriptions to modern, lifestyle-oriented health products.

"In the future, the hospital will continue to deepen scientific research and innovation in traditional Chinese medicine, promoting more outstanding research achievements to move from 'laboratories' to 'production lines,'" said Qian Yu, member of the Party Committee and Vice President of Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

At present, digital technology is becoming a new key to unlocking the treasure trove of traditional Chinese medicine, allowing its unique advantages in prevention, health care, and rehabilitation to benefit a wider population through technological power.

Co-create a New Blueprint for Full-life-cycle Health

The uniqueness of the digital healthcare exhibition area at this Digital Trade Fair may lie more in a "deep integration." This integration is reflected in the concept: the holistic and personalized philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for "preventive treatment," aligns perfectly with the goals of modern precision medicine and full-life-cycle health management.

Walking into the "Home Testing · Comprehensive Health Management Experience Center," the main line of the entire life cycle runs through the themed areas for children, women, men, and the elderly.

BGIThe gene sequencing platform reduces the cost of sequencing a single human genome to less than a hundred dollars, laying the foundation for disease prediction and early warning; Vbot's companion robots "Da Bao" and "Xiao Bao" integrate emotional interaction, safety monitoring, and smart home control, showing care for the silver-haired group; Dyne Healthcare’s intelligent portable bathing machine brings dignity to bedridden elderly people… These products and services together build a continuous health protection network from the genetic level to home life, from disease prevention to rehabilitation care.

As demonstrated by the Digital Trade Fair, the essence of digital trade is openness and cooperation. In the face of healthcare, a common challenge for humanity, the wisdom of the East and West converges, integrates, and innovates here.

Whether it is making stents "invisible" in blood vessels or enabling the scoring of Baduanjin in the virtual world, the ultimate vision is to leverage the limitless possibilities of digital technology to build a more equitable, accessible, efficient, and humanized future healthcare system, allowing everyone to enjoy a high-quality healthy life.

Push open the window of the Digital Trade Expo, and people can touch more possibilities. (End)