22 May 2025

Innovation

Synapxe launches second HealthTech sandbox offering improved data access, cloud services from Microsoft Azure


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New HealthX Sandbox 2.0 accelerates HealthTech Innovation
Image credit: Cai Jia Zeng(蔡家增)

New software analyses stroke patients' gait to help develop personalised rehabilitation plans

The medical staff points the tablet at a stroke patient to monitor his gait. The patient only has to walk about 4 to 5 meters forward, and the 3D gait analysis system powered by AI will be able to generate a medical report for rehabilitation doctors within two minutes. This helps patients to develop their personalised rehabilitation treatment plans.

Synapxe officially launched the HealthX Innovation Sandbox 2.0 (HX-IS 2.0) at the inaugural HealthTechX Asia event on Wednesday (May 21), aiming to help HealthTech startups develop emerging healthcare technologies through stronger data and cloud support, and provide more trial opportunities, similar to real-life scenarios.

HX-IS 2.0 is the only HealthTech Sandbox that leverages Singapore’s Healthcare Commercial Cloud (HCC), allowing tech startups a safe environment to test and validate various solutions for public healthcare. One example would be the 3D gait analysis system used by Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) staff in clinical research.

When interviewed, Dr Ong Poo Lee, Consultant at TTSH, said that traditionally, rehabilitation doctors use observation, consultation and experience to determine the joint angle deviation caused by the patient's condition. “The 3D gait analysis system can obtain data on multiple joints simultaneously, including the comparison between gait balance data of both legs, as well as the conditions of multiple joints such as hip, knee and ankle."

Dr Ong highlighted that in addition to obtaining a more comprehensive analysis within a short span of time, the 3D gait analysis software can also track the progression of patient’s condition and verify whether the treatment is effective by continuously monitoring changes in gait, so as to make timely adjustments.

He also said that previously, monitoring joint movement and measuring angles had to be done in a special testing room. “The patient also had to wear a lot of markets which was time-consuming, cumbersome and expensive.”

At present, this system is still in the testing phase, mostly used for data collection in clinical research and has not yet been officially released to patients. Dr Ong said: “I think it has great potential. With the aging population, more and more patients with chronic diseases need long-term rehabilitation treatment and care. Such application of HealthTech can better meet these needs."

Dr Elson Yong, co-founder and CEO of local HealthTech company Carecam, is the main person in-charge of developing the 3D gait analysis system. When interviewed, he shared that Synapxe’s new programme gives tech startups the opportunity to experiment, similar to real-life scenarios.

It uses AI voice recognition to display the next set of smaller/larger numbers based on the patient's real-time answers, thus allowing them to complete basic vision tests on their own.

This system is currently in the verification test phase. NHGEI Manager Wu Yang said: “The team hopes to operate 3 sets of automatic vision acuity tests simultaneously, just like the automatic checkout systems in a supermarket. But we would need to further resolve the issue of interferences caused by ambient noise.”

Dr Li highlighted: “With the hope of this technology, medical staff will be able to serve more patients with eye diseases. The time savings can allow them to focus their attention on more valuable clinical services, thereby enhancing the patient's experience.”

分析中风病患行走轨迹新软件助制定专属复健计划

医护人员拿着平板电脑对准中风患者的行走轨迹,患者只要往前走约四米到五米,搭载人工智能(AI)算法的3D步态分析软件,就能在两分钟内生成面向康复医生的医疗报告,从而帮助患者制定专属的复健治疗计划。

新联科技(Synapxe)星期三(5月21日)在首届“医疗科技X亚洲”活动上,正式推出HealthX创新沙盒2.0计划,它旨在通过更强的数据和云支持系统,助力医疗科技初创企业开发新兴医疗技术,并提供更多接近真实情景的试验机会。

沙盒2.0是唯一利用新加坡医疗商业云(Healthcare Commercial Cloud)的医疗科技沙盒,为科技初创企业提供安全环境,以测试和验证面向公共医疗的多项创新解决方案。陈笃生医院医疗人员在临床研究中应用的3D步态分析软件,就是其中之一。

陈笃生医院康复医学科部顾问医生王保利受访时说,传统上,康复科医生都是通过观察、问诊和经验来判断患者因疾病导致的关节角度偏差。“三维立体的智能分析工具,可以同时得出多个关节的客观数据,包括双腿的步态平衡数据对比、以及髋、膝、踝等多个关节的状况。”

王保利指出,除了能够在短时间内得出更全面的病情分析之外,3D步态分析软件还可以追踪患者的病情进展,通过持续监测步态的变化,来印证治疗是否有效,从而及时做出调整。

他也说,在软件出现之前,监测关节活动并测量角度必须在特定的检测室里才能实现。“病患还要穿戴很多标记物,很耗时、麻烦且价格昂贵。”

目前软件仍在测试阶段,大多用于临床研究的数据采集等,尚未正式面向病患。王保利说:“我认为它有很大潜力,随着老龄化加剧,越来越多慢性病患者需要长期康复治疗和护理,医疗科技的应用能更好地满足这些需求。”

本地医疗科技公司Carecam创始人杨俊杰,是开发3D步态分析工具的主要负责人。他受访时说,新联科技新计划让初创公司有机会,在接近真实世界环境的情况下进行测试。“同时也帮助我们减轻相关网络安全风险,通过临床医生直接试用,加速了应用与商业化进程。”

它能通过人工智能语音识别功能,根据患者实时说出的答案显示下一组更大或更小的数字,从而让病患自行完成基础视力检查。

这个系统现在处于验证调试阶段。国立健保集团眼科医学院经理邬杨说:“团队希望未来能够做到三组自动视力检查系统同时运营,就像超市里的自动收银系统一样,但我们须进一步解决收声相互干扰的问题。”

李正豪指出:“这项技术有望让医护人员为更多眼疾患者提供服务,同时将精力集中在更具价值的诊疗环节,从而全面提升患者的就医体验。”

Source: Lianhe Zaobao © Singapore Press Holdings Limited | Reproduced with permission.


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