The 37th International Medical Device & Hospital Equipment Exhibition (KIMES 2022), aimed at improving public health, advancing medical science, and promoting the medical and hospital-related industries, took place from March 10th (Thursday) to March 13th (Sunday) for four days at COEX Exhibition Center in Samsung-dong, Seoul, under the theme 'KIMES, Where New Hope Begins.'

This exhibition provided an opportunity to see over 30,000 convergence medical devices and smart healthcare devices at a glance, focusing on responding to the future convergence medical industry, including artificial intelligence, robotic medical devices, smart clinic systems, anti-aging, smart hospitals, and rehabilitation devices.

Many companies participating in KIMES 2022 heated up the atmosphere by presenting their products and services. Especially in the 'healthcare' sector, where fierce competition is taking place, various products and services aiming to detect and prevent various diseases through diverse bio-data measurements were introduced.

Among them, there was a company that attracted the attention of visitors with its special product. Wellysis unveiled the model of its lightweight patch-type ECG wearable solution 'S-Patch Ex.' Among the highly competitive products in the related industry, 'S-Patch Ex,' which maximizes convenience with a weight of just 9g and a small size, stood out the most.

We conducted an interview with Kim Jong-woo, the director of Wellysis, who leads the market with innovative technology through the new S-Patch Ex.

Q1. Who is the target consumer for Wellysis' S-Patch Ex solution?
 

A. Kim Jong-woo, Director: S-Patch Ex is a product for monitoring heart data, mainly used when patients undergo electrocardiogram tests at hospitals. Additionally, it targets hospital-visiting patients who have arrhythmias or potential risks of arrhythmias.

However, in the future, we plan to expand the usage scope to include rehabilitation patients who require continuous monitoring after related treatments or surgeries. Moreover, we aim to supply the product to the private market for active popularization.

Q2. Samsung's 'Bio-processor chip' is embedded in Wellysis' S-Patch Ex. What are the functions and performance of the chip?
 

A. Kim Jong-woo, Director: The 'Bio-processor chip' manufactured by Samsung is a processor specialized in collecting and analyzing bio-signals. There are two main features that can be highlighted.

Firstly, it has the function to collect multiple bio-signals. It can collect various bio-signals such as ECG, pulse wave, body temperature, body fat, and stress, in addition to its original function of ECG measurement.

Secondly, it has the performance to analyze the collected bio-signals with just one chip. It is also noteworthy that the product achieved miniaturization and lightweight by excluding multiple processors or complex designs.

 'S-Patch Ex' | 촬영 - 에이빙뉴스



Q3. Recently, there is a trend of downsizing various devices for healthcare, including ECG measurement devices. What is the differentiation of Wellysis' S-Patch Ex?
 

A. Kim Jong-woo, Director: The foremost differentiator is our technology. Combined with Samsung's hardware and Samsung SDS's software technology, as well as medical data and knowledge from Samsung Hospital, Wellysis has created the product.

We take pride in developing our proprietary software. The competition in the medical market revolves around how well you can collect ECG data and how many different types of data you can collect. Our concentrated research and development efforts resulted in the 'S-Patch' series.

Furthermore, during the validation and commercialization of our solution, we conducted rigorous clinical trials to meet global medical device certifications and international distribution standards, which is another strength of 'S-Patch Ex.'

Q4. It seems that S-Patch Ex series will simplify ECG measurement and analysis. However, is there any concern about the loss of measurement accuracy due to simplification and downsizing?

A. Kim Jong-woo, Director: That's a good question. To answer transparently, there are indeed functional characteristics that only Holter-type products with multiple measurement channels can perform. Therefore, it is true that there are other advantages compared to S-Patch Ex, which adopts a single lead channel.

However, Wellysis is actively developing technologies to achieve the same level or even higher measurement accuracy compared to Holter-type products, despite adopting a single lead channel. We are exploring ways to enhance the software's multi-channel configuration to improve the level of AI embedded in the product, not only in hardware but also in software.

However, there is no significant concern about accuracy loss. In the related academic field, it has been stated that among the various symptoms that need to be identified for arrhythmia screening, atrial fibrillation accounts for the highest proportion. Note that atrial fibrillation can be measured sufficiently with a single lead channel ECG measurement device.

Moreover, as per the academic announcement, there is a trend in the medical field to increase the acceptance of single-channel measurements over multi-channel measurements. Therefore, the S-Patch series is competitive even as a healthcare product.

Q5. With easy usability and excellent portability, it is expected that S-Patch Ex will gain advantages in mass production in the future. What changes in the overall medical culture do you expect with the popularization of S-Patch Ex solutions?
 

A. Kim Jong-woo, Director: We expect to maximize public accessibility to ECG measurements through the S-Patch series. It means that medical tests and examinations, which were previously only available at large, tertiary hospitals, can now be performed at small hospitals closer to residential areas.

Moreover, simplification of medical tests and examinations at existing medical institutions will make it easier to manage patients. As a result, we anticipate increasing the efficiency of the medical system.

Furthermore, our ultimate goal is to shift the medical system, which has been hospital-centered, to patient-centered. It means enabling patients to collect their health-related data and manage themselves.

Q6. To be served as a 'solution,' it seems essential to have close linkage between the product and medical services. If there are any ongoing related services, please introduce them. Also, if there are any future plans regarding this aspect. 

A. Kim Jong-woo, Director: We fully understand and empathize with the systems and services that the public expects through 'solutions' via our products. Therefore, we are preparing hospital examination services using our products.

Currently, we are focusing on building sufficient precedents and data. For example, at Samsung Hospital, Samsung employees can use our S-Patch products and services as part of their health examination services.

Moreover, we aim to expand healthcare services not only in the medical field but also in the sports industry. Currently, the business is being concretized, and related services will be available soon.

Q7. Wellysis has obtained overseas medical device certifications such as CE certification in Europe and TGA in Australia for the S-Patch Ex product, and it is also in progress for export sales. If there are discussions underway for entry into emerging markets, please share.
 

Q7. Wellysis has obtained overseas medical device certifications such as CE certification in Europe and TGA in Australia for the S-Patch Ex product, and it is also in progress for export sales. If there are discussions underway for entry into emerging markets, please share.