Ministry of Health Singapore.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n According to real-world clinical data involving over 900 patients in Japan, BCI therapy, which will be trialled by the National University Health System (NUHS), helped many regain movement within just two weeks.<\/p>\n PHOTO: LIFESCAPES<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n It pairs start-ups with Singapore\u2019s public healthcare clusters \u2013 NHG Health, National University Health System (NUHS), and SingHealth \u2013 to run real-world trials, gather evidence and integrate proven solutions into routine patient care.<\/p>\n Explains Mr Kee Kirk Chuen, TF\u2019s head of health and well-being: \u201cSingapore\u2019s strong healthcare system, robust data governance, and culture of innovation and public trust make it the ideal place to test and refine new technologies. <\/p>\n \u201cThe city\u2019s size allows quick pilots and scale-ups, while collaborations with local and global start-ups help build an innovation pipeline that benefits patients here and across Asia.\u201d<\/p>\n Since its launch in 2021, the innovation challenge has enabled 16 test beds using AI, digital health and robotics, benefiting over 2,800 patients across various areas, including mental health and diabetes.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s winners were awarded a total of $3 million to test-bed technologies such as tremor-steadying wearables, non-invasive heart-failure monitoring and AI that helps detect early cancers \u2013 tools that promise faster, safer, more accessible care. <\/p>\n Here are four start-ups and their innovations which are poised to deliver better outcomes and value across Singapore\u2019s healthcare system.<\/p>\n Our brains have a natural ability to rewire through a process called neuroplasticity. Could this \u201csuperpower\u201d be the key to recovery even years after a stroke or spinal cord injury?<\/p>\n With <\/p>\n Lifescapes<\/p>\n \u2019 rehabilitation solution, it would certainly seem so. Its BCI therapy taps this ability by helping the brain and the nerves form new connections that restore movement and control. <\/p>\n Electroencephalogram sensors placed on the head pick up brain signals when a person intends to move. These signals are then strengthened and relayed to the nerves and muscles through mild electrical pulses, forming a feedback loop that helps the brain and body reconnect.<\/p>\n Real-world clinical data involving more than 900 patients in Japan showed that many experienced marked improvements within just two weeks \u2013 a dramatically shorter period than traditional 12-week rehabilitation programmes.<\/p>\n Says Dr Masaaki Hayashi, chief strategy officer of Lifescapes: \u201cWe aim to redefine what\u2019s considered \u2018untreatable\u2019 and give patients renewed hope that meaningful recovery is possible.\u201d<\/p>\n (From left) Chief strategy officer Masaaki Hayashi, overseas business development intern Kurumi Adachi and deputy director for business strategy Ryotaro Hirose were part of the Lifescapes team behind the development of the BCI solution.<\/p>\n PHOTO: LIFESCAPES<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Lifescape\u2019s ultimate goal is to make advanced neuro-rehabilitation more accessible, even in home or community settings. <\/p>\n The company will partner with National University Hospital (NUH) to optimise its technology for Singapore\u2019s healthcare setting, ensuring it meets local patient needs and clinical standards.<\/p>\n Says NUH\u2019s chief executive officer (CEO), Professor Aymeric Lim: \u201cThis technology could revolutionise neurorehabilitation by promoting neuroplasticity, and restoring motor function in stroke patients treated at our Nerve and Motion Centre and various rehabilitation facilities in NUHS.\u201d<\/p>\n Being able to do simple tasks represents an \u201cemotional and empowering moment\u201d that builds confidence and accelerates recovery, says Dr Hayashi. Patients would be able to spend less time in hospitals and return to normal life sooner. <\/p>\n This, in turn, reduces the need for constant, costly institutional care, thereby easing the burden on caregivers and the healthcare system. <\/p>\n Says Prof Lim: \u201cIf such innovations deliver meaningful benefits to our patients, we are committed to making them accessible, not just to those who can afford them, but to all who need them.\u201d<\/p>\n Five minutes \u2013 and not a needle in sight. That is all it takes to measure cardiac pressure using a handheld device by <\/p>\n Swedish start-up Acorai<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n Measuring cardiac pressure is crucial for heart failure patients as the readings provide doctors with essential data to diagnose and optimise care. However, accurate readings typically require heart catheterisation, an invasive procedure where a tube is inserted into the heart. <\/p>\n This method also requires sedation and recovery time. <\/p>\n Acorai\u2019s non-invasive device enables doctors, nurses and even patients to easily monitor heart health and catch problems early. <\/p>\n PHOTO: ACORAI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Acorai\u2019s device is simply placed on the patient\u2019s chest for about four minutes. It then analyses biosignals using patented sensors, which combine seismic, acoustic, visual and electric data. <\/p>\n The readings are powered by machine learning trained on data from more than 2,000 patients worldwide. Results appear in a minute on a touchscreen display \u2013 a process so simple that even nurses or trained patients can use it confidently. <\/p>\n \u201cHeart failure is still one of the leading causes of hospitalisation, yet doctors don\u2019t have a simple, non-invasive way to measure pressures. We wanted to change that,\u201d says co-founder and CEO Filip Peters.<\/p>\n (From right) Co-founded by chief executive officer Filip Peters, chief technology officer Jakob Gelberg and chief operating officer Kasper Bourdette, Acorai\u2019s handheld device will soon be trialled by NHG Health and SingHealth.<\/p>\n PHOTO: ACORAI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The device can be used at a patient\u2019s bedside or in the clinic, making it easier for doctors to monitor heart conditions, alleviate patients\u2019 concerns and identify problems early before they become emergencies.<\/p>\n Given the immense potential benefits, the start-up has been paired with not one but two healthcare clusters, NHG Health and SingHealth. <\/p>\n Acorai will trial its device at NHG Health\u2019s Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. It is also in discussions with SingHealth to run trials at the National Heart Centre Singapore.<\/p>\n In Singapore, where heart failure is a leading cause of death and makes up 17 per cent of cardiac admissions1<\/sup>, Acorai\u2019s approach could make cardiac monitoring safer, faster and more accessible. <\/p>\n Says clinical director for NHG Health\u2019s Centre for Healthcare Innovation, Associate Professor Wong Hon Tym: \u201cCardiovascular disease remains a major population health challenge in Singapore. Acorai\u2019s non-invasive cardiac monitoring will support proactive detection and management beyond acute hospital setting.<\/p>\n \u201cThe solution also facilitates right-siting of care, reduces avoidable hospital admissions and integrates seamlessly into existing workflows, with strong implementation readiness and collaboration potential.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Peters believes it will be an incredible opportunity to bring the technology into real-world patient settings. <\/p>\n \u201cAdding Singapore\u2019s diverse population will only make it more accurate and relevant here,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n For patients, the impact is more than just financial. \u201cIt also means fewer invasive procedures, less disruption to daily life and better outcomes,\u201d says Mr Peters. <\/p>\n He cites one heart failure patient in the clinical trials who was relieved at avoiding repeat catheterisations, while another appreciated how the technology allowed for earlier discharge, letting him return home to family sooner. <\/p>\n \u201cThese are the kinds of human impacts that motivate our team every day,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n For many cancers, early detection can make all the difference. It not only improves survival rates but also reduces long-term healthcare costs for patients.<\/p>\n Among emerging innovations in this area is gastroAI, developed by Tokyo-headquartered start-up <\/p>\n AI Medical Service<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n During gastroscopy, gastroAI, founded by Tokyo-based start-up AI Medical Service, displays real-time confidence scores on screen, helping doctors decide quickly whether further tests or treatment are needed.<\/p>\n PHOTO: AI MEDICAL SERVICE<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The AI-powered system acts as an assistive \u201cco-pilot\u201d during gastroscopy, providing an objective \u201cextra set of expert eyes\u201d that enhances a doctor\u2019s ability to diagnose early gastric cancer, explains Dr Tomohiro Tada, the company\u2019s CEO.<\/p>\n \u201cThe gastroAI model has the same level of sensitivity as a specialist, which means it can support doctors in detecting important findings accurately while reducing false alarms,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n The system runs in real time, flagging potential abnormalities instantly \u2013 without interrupting the procedure or adding to the patient\u2019s waiting time. <\/p>\n Each time the endoscopist captures an image of the stomach, AI-generated confidence scores appear on-screen, helping the doctor decide whether further biopsy or treatment is needed.<\/p>\n Dr Tomohiro Tada, CEO of AI Medical Service, says gastroAI \u2013 approved by Singapore\u2019s Health Sciences Authority \u2013 will start pilot deployment with SingHealth to refine its accuracy across Singapore and the region.<\/p>\n PHOTO: AI MEDICAL DEVICE<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n This feature helps avoid unnecessary biopsies, easing both patient discomfort and medical costs, while ensuring no important findings are missed.<\/p>\n Says SingHealth\u2019s assistant group CEO of its Future Health Systems, Clinical Associate Professor Tan Hiang Khoon: \u201cPredictive analytics, wearables and personalised interventions help to prevent and manage chronic illnesses. This helps to reduce hospital admissions and prevents overloading of the healthcare system.\u201d<\/p>\n The innovation is already approved by Singapore\u2019s Health Sciences Authority and will start test-bedding with SingHealth at Singapore General Hospital (SGH).<\/p>\n \u201cAI Medical Service\u2019s work in gastric cancer detection represents one of many emerging technologies in the diagnostic space,\u201d adds Prof Tan, who is also the CEO of SGH. \u201cAs healthcare continues to evolve, we remain dedicated to evaluating how these new technologies might benefit our patients and improve the quality of care we provide.\u201d<\/p>\n A plus point is that it can be integrated easily into existing endoscopy systems without major infrastructure changes, making widespread adoption feasible. <\/p>\n Says Dr Tada: \u201cOur next focus will be on pilot deployment and learning from new clinical data to further improve gastroAI\u2019s diagnostic accuracy in Singapore and throughout South-east Asia.\u201d<\/p>\n When Singaporean doctor Faii Ong was a young physician in London, he met a 103-year-old patient whose hand tremors from Parkinson\u2019s disease were so severe that she could not feed herself.<\/p>\n That moment inspired him to invent the GyroGlove, a wearable device designed to restore independence and dignity to people living with tremors.<\/p>\n The goal is simple: to help users instantly regain control over daily tasks like eating, writing and dressing \u2013 movements most people take for granted.<\/p>\n The GyroGlove, which is being trialled in NUHS\u2019 hospitals, tracks movement data in real time, giving doctors insights they need to personalise care and help hospitals cut repeat visits.<\/p>\n PHOTO: SPH MEDIA<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The device, developed under UK-based company GyroGear, is now being trialled in NUHS\u2019 hospital network, beginning with NUH, to validate its impact and improve access for patients in Singapore. <\/p>\n The glove uses advanced gyroscopic technology, similar to what keeps spacecraft and smartphones stable, to instantly counteract hand tremors in real time. When worn, it can steady a user\u2019s hands within seconds.<\/p>\n (From right) Founder of GyroGear Faii Ong and its head of commercialisation John Piontkowski at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show, the world\u2019s largest tech event, where their tremor-stabilising wearable, GyroGlove, won seven accolades. The glove was also recognised as one of Time\u2019s Best Innovations of 2024.<\/p>\n PHOTO: GYROGEAR<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \u201cGyroGlove helps restore everyday tasks like drinking a glass of water, eating with utensils, writing legibly, typing or even playing games with family,\u201d says Dr Ong, who highlights that being able to do these \u201csmall\u201d tasks often offers the biggest boost in patients\u2019 well-being.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a cost- and resource-saving alternative that delivers quality-of-life benefits immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n The glove also collects objective movement data, providing doctors with new insights to fine-tune treatment and monitor recovery. Meanwhile, hospitals will be able to reduce repeat visits and reliance on manpower.<\/p>\n Says Prof Lim: \u201cGyroGlove offers a truly innovative approach to managing hand tremors, which can also potentially reduce reliance on pharmacological interventions. As an academic health system, NUHS is well-positioned for testing such new treatments, given our extensive clinical trial experience and research infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n Have a health-tech solution that could improve patient care in Singapore? <\/i><\/p>\n Apply for the CHISEL Healthcare InnoMatch 2026<\/i><\/p>\n for a chance to test-bed your innovation in real-world settings. Applications close on April 13. <\/i><\/p>\n References:<\/b><\/p>\n 1 <\/sup>Chan WX, Lin W and Wong RCC. Transitional care to reduce heart failure readmission rates in South East Asia. Cardiac Failure Review 2016; 2: 85\u20139.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/strong> <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" … John Piontkowski at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show<\/span>, the world\u00e2\u0080\u0099s largest tech …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-103719","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","wpcat-1-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103719","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=103719"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103719\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=103719"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=103719"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=103719"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/div>
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