Overseas doctors coming for training programmes（Photo by FEMH)
Far Eastern Memorial Hospital (FEMH) is one of the several outstanding healthcare providers in Taiwan that are advocates of the government’s New Southbound Policy, a policy framework designed to support the country’s outreach to countries in Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
FEMH has a reputation for providing international medical services and training doctors. It also boasts medical technologies in cardiac surgery, general surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, and orthopaedics.
UBE Procedure a Role Model to Surgeons Across the Globe
Although minimally invasive spine surgery using a progressive tubular retractor to stretch back muscles is an advanced approach, it still faces limitations related to bleeding into deep tissues and working space. FEMH introduced Taiwan's first unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) minimally invasive spine surgery, which has helped more than 800 patients regain their health and comprehensively replaced traditional minimally invasive spine surgery as of August 2023.
Taiwan’s first-ever Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy (UBE) procedure introduced by Far Eastern Memorial Hospital (Photo by FEMH）
UBE frees surgeons from the limitations of the tubular retractor. The surgeon's right hand controls the surgical instruments, while the left hand operates a high-resolution endoscope, allowing saline solution to flow along the endoscope into the surgical field and out again where the instruments are inserted. The hydrostatic pressure of this saline solution not only helps control minor bleeding from blood vessels, but also provides the surgeon with a clearer field of vision. To date, 22 orthopaedic spine surgeons from 15 hospitals across Taiwan have completed short-term clinical training.
In terms of international exchange, FEMH has attracted spine surgeons from countries such as Japan, India, Bahrain, Algeria and others to come to the hospital's orthopaedic department for training periods ranging from 1 to 6 months. Dr Jwo-Lue Pao, Head of the Orthopaedic Department, has also been invited to demonstrate surgical procedures in countries such as Japan, South Korea and Vietnam.
Surgical Excellence in Complex Procedures and Organ Transplantation
In addition to spine surgery, FEMH excels in other medical specialties- orthopaedics, cardiac surgery, general surgery and OB/GYN, notably in minimally invasive surgery. The team at FEMH uses ‘keyhole’ procedures for uterine, bladder and vaginal prolapse. Other record-breaking achievements include a 98% success rate for laparoscopy for liver cancer, and minimally invasive liver and kidney transplants.
Under the leadership of Dr. Kuan-Ming Chiu, FEMH has become a training centre for endovascular procedures in the Asia-Pacific region. They have pioneered procedures such as beating heart coronary artery bypass surgery and endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting, demonstrating their wealth of experience and expertise.
The hospital will demonstrate complex and representative procedures such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and transcatheter mitral valve repair during the Healthcare+ Expo.
★★★More by Far Eastern Memorial Hospital
◎AI-assisted Voice Recognition Gauging Risk of Throat Cancer, in Collaboration with Far EasTone, Intel, JelloX Biotech)
An AI model is being created to identify symptoms of throat cancer through voice changes, a joint project between the hospital and its industry partners. It collects two to three seconds of voice recordings, which are interpreted into the level of risk of throat cancer.
Technologies this involved include 5G telecommunication by Far EasTone, Open Federated Learning (OpenFL) technology by Intel, a voice database shared by FEMH and MetaLite, a 3D digital pathology analysis software by JelloX.
AI model in development to identify voice changes related to throat cancer (Photo by FEMH）
◎Intelligent Wound Care Trolley, in Collaboration with Jubo Health
The Wound Care Trolley is designed particularly for tracking those challenging wounds and pressure ulcers. In the past, recording and monitoring serious wounds has relied on measuring and photo-taking size, depth and colour manually. With the trolley in place, wounds can be photo-recorded using mobile devices, and the rest of measurement will be completed by AI. Images are then automatically uploaded to the cloud, enabling follow-up checks through HIS/NIS.
◎Knee Joint and Nasopharyngeal Cancer Cell Therapy, in Collaboration with Emo Biomedicine, Kartigen Biomedical, FullHope Biomedical
Led by FEMH Vice President and orthopaedic surgeon Dr Chih-Hung Chang, the team has done exceptionally well in treating degenerative knee osteoarthritis with autologous adipose-derived stem cells and repairing knee cartilage defects with mesenchymal stem cells. The therapies have even attracted an overseas Chinese patient who travelled to FEMH from Myanmar amid the pandemic.
In the field of otolaryngology, the department has deciphered the protein associated with nasopharyngeal cancer. Clinical trials are currently underway, holding the potential to offer immunotherapy for patients with advanced or recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer.
◎ShapeX- Smart Boxing System with Motion Sensor, in Collaboration with Hands Tailung, Cardiosport, Textile Industry Research Institute
FEMH, together with its industry partners, has developed Shape X, a smart boxing system that aims to improve the agility, muscle strength and reaction of seniors through interactive games. The system has embedded motion sensors and is paired with smart wristbands.
Shape X, a smart boxing system for seniors to enhance agility, muscle strength and reaction (Photo by FEMH)
◎Smart Watch Alerting Cardiovascular Emergency, in Collaboration with Acer, the Fire Dept., New Taipei City Government
The development of smart watch is being led by the Cardiovascular Center, the Department of Emergency Medicine at FEMH, with a focus on cardiovascular patients at risk, elderly people with chronic diseases and people living alone.
FEMH has recruited more than 100 individuals to conduct on-site testing in both hospital and community settings, whist pursuing relevant patents. Going forward, this smart wearable will be optimised and integrated into various wearable devices and facilities such as hospitals and fire brigades. Ultimately, this device will be a tool to respond quickly to emergencies and save lives.
B2B Opportunities with Far Eastern Memorial Hospital
AI in Healthcare
| Products/Solutions | Partnership wanted |
|---|---|
| AI-assisted voice change recognition assessing risk of throat cacner | Technology transfer; product development |
| CT image analysis for risk of brain bleeding within 10 minutes | Technology transfer; product development |
| Anesthesia risk assessment of postoperative mortality | Technology transfer; product development |
Digital Health
| Products/Solutions | Partnership wanted |
|---|---|
| Smart watch alerting cardiovascular emergency | Product installation or implementation |
| Intelligent Wound Care Trolley, in Collaboration with Jubo Health | Product and software distribution |
| ShapeX- Smart Boxing System with Motion Sensor | Healthcare facilities with interest in elderly care |
Regenerative Medicine
| Products/Solutions | Partnership wanted |
|---|---|
| ASCs for Degenerative Knee Osteoarthritis | International medical services; product development |
| MSCs for Repairing Knee Cartilage Defects | International medical services; product development |
| Nasopharyngeal Cancer Cell Therapy | Research collaboration |
Research Collaboration
| Products/Solutions | Partnership wanted |
|---|---|
| Trans-oesophageal Echocardiogram Guided Chest Compression for ER | Research collaboration |
| LuLym-T® Immunotherapy for Post-treatment Liver Tumours | Research collaboration |
| Low-dose Radiosurgery Combined with 3D for Ventricular tachycardia | Medical tourism agents; doctor training |
Minimally Invasive Surgery
| Products/Solutions | Partnership wanted |
|---|---|
| Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy (UBE) | Doctor training |
| Endoscopic Cardiac Surgery | Medical tourism agents; doctor training |
| Laparoscopic Liver Resection, with Success Rates over 98% | Medical tourism agents; doctor training |
Far Eastern Memorial Hospital at Healthcare+ Expo 2023
- Thursday, 30 November to Sunday, 3 December
- Booth No.L617a