“National Innovation Award” bestowed by Research Center for Biotechnology and Medicine Policy (RBMP) is highly regarded as the golden standard in measuring and evaluating capacity in modern biotech R&D and capability of innovation. Five clinical teams from Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH) including departments/divisions of neuro surgery, emergency medicine, thoracic medicine, neurology, and otorhinolaryngology (ENT) have claimed big prizes in wining “National Innovation Awards” bestowed by Research Center for Biotechnology and Medicine Policy (RBMP) in the 15th annual awarding ceremony hosted by RBMP in Taipei. The awards won and achievement accomplished by TSGH medical teams has made Tri-Service General Hospital the biggest winner among all leading medical centers and hospitals in Taiwan.

Dr. Chi-Tun, Tang of Neuro Surgery Department has researched and invented “Virtual Neuro-Navigation in Reality Surgery” technology, with which minimally invasive neurosurgery inside the skulls can combine with virtual neuro roadmap created by means of virtual reality simulation technology and in turn assist surgeons in navigating relevant surgical anatomical positions during the course of surgical operations. Applying VR technologies into actual surgical interventions in operating theaters can lead to significant reduction risks and drawbacks of brain bleeding, infection, and lengthened post-op recovery periods.

Dr. Ying-Hsin, Chen of Emergency Medicine Department has researched and invented “Mass Casualty Incident Management Simulation System” with which physicians and EMS team members can apply virtual reality technologies into emergency management trainings and exercises related to mass casualty incidents. The adoption of virtual reality technologies in mass casualty incidence management training and exercise not only can lead to tremendous improvement of training efficiency and effectiveness of mass casualty incidence management but also significant reduction of training cost.

Mr. Hsiu-Chun, Chu, Respiratory therapist of TSGH Thoracic Medicine Department has researched and successfully devised “Multifunctional Electronic Pulmonary Instrument”, a very useful app that can be downloaded by physicians, nurses, respiratory therapist, patients, and their family members to assist in respiratory therapy training.

The respiratory therapy training app features five different user interfaces: 1) lung expansion therapy, 2) respiratory muscles training, 3) peak flow measurement, 4) lung physiological parameters (weaning profile), and 5) pre-discharge patient health education. The abovementioned five interfaces/modules of the respiratory therapy app devised by Mr. Chu can provide visual feedbacks that reliably depict wave forms of patients undergoing respiratory therapy training. Furthermore, with the assistance of this app, respiratory therapists can read and decipher the wave forms recorded to gauge and determine status and progress of patients undergoing respiratory therapy training. Even more useful is the fact that those recorded data can be uploaded to medical clouds for future reference via internet connection.

Dr. Chung-Hsing, Chou, Chief of TSGH Neurology Department has presented his research on “Stem Cell Sheets for Cerebral Neurovascular Reconstruction”, a novel and revolutionary study on culturing human neuro stem cells (NSCs) and endothelial cell of blood vessel from human brains to create stem cell sheets structure, with which TSGH researchers hope in the future to reconstruct neuro and vessel tissues in human brains. Endothelial cell layer of capillaries from those stem cell sheets can provide growth factors and extracellular matrixes necessary for neuro stem cell layer’s cell differentiation and can induce differentiation of neuro stem cells to become neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocyte, distinct cells that fall under the broader category of neural cells. Moreover, when influenced by neuro stem cells, vascular endothelial cells can further grow and form vascular branches and provide necessary nutrients to adjacent neuro stem cells in a highly efficient manner.

Dr. Chih-Hung, Wang of TSGH Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Department has presented his team’s research on “Universal Microbubbles based Combined Medical Device for Promoting Local Drug Delivery”, a study that aims to apply the design concept of molecular images and molecular probes onto real-world clinical applications. Study by Dr. Wang and his research team is the first of its kind in Taiwan to successfully transform ultra sound contrast media, traditionally delivered via intravascular injection, to become a percutaneous penetration enhancer capable of being administered topically. Moreover, by combing microbubble technology with surgical dressings in the form of a combination medical device, Dr. Wang’s invention and innovative technology can comprehensively enhance the absorption of diverse kinds of topical medicines and agents.