Innohk

Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center Limited

🌍 Official Website 🏢 HKSTP Source
72 Potential

Decision Maker

Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center Limited
enquiry@mrc-cuhk.com
+852 38417311
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Raw Description
Through funding support of the HKSAR Government, the Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center (MRC) was established in April 2020 by the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Engineering of the Chinese University of Hong Kong in collaboration with ETH Zürich, Imperial College London, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Hong Kong. | With the advancement of AI, imaging and robotic technologies, novel robotic-assisted surgical procedures and therapeutic methods are transforming medical diagnosis and treatment solutions. Such technologies enhance the visualization, accessibility, and accuracy for the surgeons to carry out minimally invasive surgeries that are more accessible to patients worldwide. | The Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center brings the worlds of medicine and robotics together, focusing on technological innovation with a strong emphasis on clinical translation and direct patient benefits. The Center serves as a synergistic platform for clinicians, engineers and researchers from local and overseas universities to work together and forge new ways to translate biomedical engineering research innovations into medical practices. | The Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center will support three research programmes: | • Endoluminal multi-scale robotic platforms for diagnostics and therapeutics | • Magnetic-guided endoluminal robotic platform | • Image-guided robotic interventions | Together as a medtech translation ecosystem, the Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center is within 15 minutes' drive from Prince of Wales Hospital and CUHK Medical Centre, the two teaching hospitals of CUHK where clinical trials will be conducted. In the long run, the Center will serve as a medical robotics incubation hub to foster medical technology start-ups, to provide training in surgical robotic technologies, to offer pre-clinical evaluation support services and to promote the commercialization of novel medical robotics technologies.

Strategic Analysis

Executive Brief

The Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center (MRC) is a premier R&D and clinical translation hub focused on the convergence of robotics, AI, and surgery. Backed by top-tier global universities (ETH Zürich, Johns Hopkins), the center develops endoluminal (inside the body) platforms, magnetic-guided robotics, and image-guided intervention tools. Their work centers on miniaturization, precision, and biocompatibility in high-stakes surgical environments.

Strategic Fit & Lead Score

Lead Score: 72 (Adjacent Tech / Strong Potential)

Why this Score? MRC is tackling the "Extreme Physics" of medicine: miniaturized tools that must withstand friction, manage heat in confined spaces, and interact with biological tissue without degradation. 6C's Diamond technology provides the world’s lowest friction coefficient and highest thermal conductivity, directly addressing the physical bottlenecks of "Endoluminal" and "Micro-scale" robotics. Furthermore, their focus on magnetic-guided platforms opens a high-value door for Diamond Quantum (NV-center) sensing.

6C Solutions Proposal

Application Area 6C Solution Technical Value Prop
Endoluminal Microrobotics Low-Friction PCD/SCD Coating Diamond is chemically inert and bio-compatible. Direct coating on micro-tools reduces friction coefficients to <0.1, preventing tissue "drag" and instrument wear during complex maneuvers.
Magnetic-Guided Navigation Quantum-Grade SCD (NV Centers) Diamond Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers allow for ultra-high sensitivity magnetic field mapping. This can enhance the precision of their magnetic-guided platforms for sub-millimeter localization.
In-Vivo Biochemical Sensing BDD (Boron Doped Diamond) Electrodes BDD is the gold standard for electrochemical sensing. It can detect neurotransmitters or metabolic markers in real-time during surgery with zero electrode fouling/poisoning.
Thermal Mgmt for Surgical Lasers PCD Heat Spreaders Image-guided interventions often use high-intensity light/lasers. PCD spreaders (2000 W/mK) prevent thermal damage to surrounding healthy tissue by dissipating heat 5x faster than copper.
MedTech Incubation Hub Custom MPCVD Reactor Build As an incubator, MRC can provide "Diamond-as-a-Service" to its startups. 6C can install a turnkey MPCVD system for in-house coating and material synthesis.

Engagement Hooks

  • Technical Question: "For your endoluminal platforms, how are you currently managing the trade-off between instrument miniaturization and the thermal/frictional limits of traditional medical-grade polymers or stainless steel?"
  • Value Statement: "6C can transform your surgical end-effectors from simple tools into 'Super-Materials'—integrating diamond’s unmatched bio-inertness, thermal dissipation, and quantum-sensing capabilities directly into the robotic tip."