BME Alumni Story – Dr Ching Yi Nam: From PhD student to Director of Startup

Dr Ching Yi Nam received her PhD in Biomedical Engineering from PolyU in 2021. During her PhD studies, Dr Nam, as a key member, invented the mobile exo-neuro-musculo-skeleton (Mobilexo Arm) for mobile and self-help post-stroke rehabilitation in 2018. This invention won a Grand Award (Prize of the Polish of Patents Office), a Gold Medal and a Special Merit Award at the 47th International Exhibition of Invention of Geneva in 2019.

Dr Nam_Flyer_mobile exo-neuro-musculo-skeleton Tech Frontier

Mobilexo Arm is a novel hybrid technology that integrates soft robot and neuromuscular electrical stimulation in one system to support coordinated physical training at the elbow, wrist and fingers, under voluntary intention-driven or automatic guiding mode control. The training progress can be remotely monitored by professionals for long-term management in tele-rehabilitation. This multi-integrated system provides superior rehabilitative outcomes in improved voluntary motor control, reduced muscle spasticity and better muscle coordination. The product is lightweight, compact, and able to support rehabilitation anytime and anywhere. Our technology offers advanced solutions for effective and self-help mobile rehabilitation and supporting tele-healthcare service with digital health management.

Since graduation, Dr Nam and her supervisor, Dr Xiaoling HU, have converted their years of research and development in rehabilitation equipment into devices that support stroke patients’ recovery. They founded Thecon Technology (HK) Limited and joined the HKSTP Incubation programme in 2022. Currently, the Mobilexo Arm has been used to assist post-stroke rehabilitation training and home-based telerehabilitation in public and private institutions in Hong Kong, such as the Hospital Authority, the Jockey Club Rehabilitation Engineering Clinic at PolyU for supervised training and the Finesse Healthcare Service Limited for home-based training.