Advertisement
Advertisement

Just what the doctor ordered

With nearly 170 exhibitors from around the world, the HKTDC Hong Kong International Medical Devices and Supplies Fair showcases the latest in state-of-the-art medical products and services for the consumer and professional markets.

Taking place from today until Wednesday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the third edition of the fair is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and co-organised by the Hong Kong Medical and Healthcare Device Industries Association.

With worldwide health expenditure surpassing US$4 trillion, according to the World Health Organisation, health care is an issue that affects everyone.

The fair attracted more than 6,000 buyers from 80 countries and regions in 2010. This year's edition looks to exceed that number as ageing populations and home health care needs in many developed countries boost demand for medical products. Hong Kong's close economic ties with the mainland also draw many buyers and sellers to the fair

for trading, networking and information exchange.

'This is our first time as an exhibitor at the show. We have many working relations with customers in China already and they asked us to participate, as this would give a better opportunity for their customers and representatives to come and see what support and units we can additionally supply,' says J?rg Brecht, European marketing co-ordinator for DeVilbiss Healthcare from Britain.

Another first-time exhibitor, Join-to-cheer Innovation of Hong Kong, will feature its Double Brake invention for wheelchairs.

'I hope our new inventions can be well-recognised by the rehabilitation, medical and health industries,' says founder Winnie Wong.

'The trend of these industries is dedicated to improving the quality of life and standards of living of the disabled. We believe that it can be achieved through innovative inventions and designs to produce more applicable and workable products and services.'

Other exhibitors include major equipment suppliers such as Great Eastern Healthcare and MTI Marketing (Asia).

The wide range of products and services are divided into zones covering categories such as household medical products, laboratory equipment, manufacturing and design solution, building technology and hospital furniture.

Special theme zones include the Tech Exchange for breakthrough technology and products, such as the Chinese University of Hong Kong's Interventional Sonography Simulator (iSonoSim), which allows users to test surgical procedures on a virtual patient's three-dimensional organ models.

The Institute of Biomedical Engineering at National Taiwan University (BioNEMS Lab) will also participate in the Tech Exchange with its real-time heart status monitoring system, which measures and analyses physiological signals to detect arrhythmia. Among other applications, it can be used at home to prevent serious heart attacks.

Home health care equipment is one of the major growth sectors, according to the HKTDC, and includes sterilised supplies and orthopaedic devices.

British Columbia's Institute of Technology has developed the Manual Patient Lift to help caregivers lift and carry patients with minimal force on the spine. The device costs about half that of a powered lift.

The Hospital Equipment Zone showcases specialist electro-medical equipment and medical technology. Olympus Hong Kong & China will introduce its endoscopy camera system, which can produce high-definition displays of sites in the body that were previously invisible, enabling less invasive procedures.

The Rehabilitation and Elderly Care Zone covers wheelchairs, patient monitoring systems and other specialised equipment. This includes V-Health's Interactive Weight Bearing Exercise Platform (iWE), which uses magnetic levitation to stimulate the musculoskeletal system. The device is designed to treat osteoporosis, improve circulation and relieve lower back pain.

Also joining the Rehabilitation and Elderly Care Zone is Culture Homes (Outlet Stores Wholesale Centre), with its whirlpool bathtub. The built-in door allows elderly users to enjoy a safe bath at home, with an adjustable massage for back, legs and feet, and pillow and showerhead.

A range of innovative medical devices and supplies will be featured in the Exhibitors' Forum, where visitors can vote for the most appealing products. Other highlights of the three-day fair include seminars on topics such as technological innovations and regulatory updates of medical devices. A networking reception will also take place tomorrow, with Hong Kong Hospital Authority chairman Anthony Wu Ting-yuk as the officiating guest.

Taking place concurrently on the first two days of the fair, the Hospital Authority Convention is one of the largest health care conferences in the Asia-Pacific region. This year's convention will see a wide range of professionals discussing the philosophies and concepts of enhancing health.

FACT FILE

Venue Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

Dates and opening hours

Today, 10am-6pm; Tomorrow, 9.30am-6pm; Wednesday, 9.30am-5pm

Admission

Free admission; trade only; visitors under 18 will not be admitted

Website

Inquiries 1830 668

Registration

For trade visitors, register now for your free admission badge through one of the following channels:

Mobile info site visit www.hktdc.com/wap/medical/T119

Smartphone info site download HKTDC Mobile at iPhone App Store, BlackBerry App World or Google Play

SMS send your e-mail address to 63857714

Post