On March 1, 2024, the National People’s Congress – Huaxia Great Health Symposium, organized by Huaxia Times, was held in Beijing. The symposium, themed “Keeping Positive – Innovation,” brought together leaders from medical and healthcare sectors, senior experts, scholars, and executives from healthcare enterprises. They gathered to discuss the current development and challenges in the medical and pharmaceutical industries, offering advice and suggestions for industry advancement.
He Dan, founder of Forethought Medical, addressed the symposium, sharing insights into the company’s journey and innovations. “I am a serial entrepreneur in the healthcare technology space who has played many roles. I started as a surgeon and transitioned to high-value consumables, artificial intelligence, and wearable devices. On June 15, 2020, I founded Forethought Medical in the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone. Our company focuses on integrating scoliosis prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation for children and adolescents. Our digital screening program helps determine spinal health without radiation exposure. By combining screening, intelligent diagnosis, and treatment with online and offline integration, we aim to create a comprehensive ecosystem that supports the healthy growth of children in China,” He Dan explained.
He Dan emphasized the critical nature of scoliosis, a common disabling deformity in adolescents. Scoliosis involves abnormalities in coronal, sagittal, and axial spinal alignment and can lead to severe complications if not addressed. Without timely intervention, scoliosis may result in torso and thorax deformation, spinal cord damage, and respiratory and cardiac dysfunction. Public statistics indicate that approximately 10 million children and adolescents in China are affected by scoliosis, with a prevalence rate of 5%.
The Ministry of Education, along with other departments, included spinal health examination in the physical check-up programs for primary and secondary school students as part of the “Opinions on Comprehensively Strengthening and Improving School Health and Health Education in the New Era” issued in 2021. This policy aims to increase scoliosis detection rates and subsequent patient treatment needs.
He Dan highlighted the limitations of current scoliosis detection methods, particularly X-rays. Although X-rays provide accurate detection, they expose patients to radiation, which can cause long-term health issues, including an increased cancer rate. For children diagnosed with scoliosis, frequent X-ray monitoring until the age of 18 can be harmful.
Forethought has developed a revolutionary solution with its 3D digital spine diagnosis and intelligent treatment system. This system, the world’s first radiation-free spinal health check equipment, directly measures the Cobb angle and ATR angle of the spine using artificial intelligence technology. Preliminary results from a double-blind clinical validation trial conducted by the Radiology Department of Shanghai Ruijin Hospital show that Forethought’s system is highly consistent with X-ray detection methods.
The data from these screenings are transmitted via the “Sapling-health” APP, which allows for integration with hospitals and online experts, bridging gaps between healthcare providers and families. This integration facilitates efficient diagnosis and treatment.
Forethought’s approach also includes rehabilitation through meta-universe technology, which designs scoliosis exercise prescriptions tailored to children and adolescents. Additionally, Forethought will introduce the Smart Brace and its Recycling Service this year, aiming to reduce medical expenses for patients’ families.
He Dan called for a new national standard for scoliosis screening tools, advocating for the adoption of advanced technologies to improve measurement accuracy and patient care. He expressed hope that Forethought’s innovations would contribute significantly to scoliosis prevention and treatment across China.
参考文献
- “Opinions on Comprehensively Strengthening and Improving School Health and Health Education in the New Era” – View Source
- “Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Review of the Literature” – View Source
- “The Epidemiology of Scoliosis” – View Source
- “Current Trends in the Management of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis” – View Source
- “Radiation Exposure and Cancer Risk in Scoliosis Patients” – View Source
- “The Role of Non-Invasive Scoliosis Screening Technologies” – View Source
- “Artificial Intelligence in Medical Diagnosis” – View Source
- “Meta-Verse Technology in Rehabilitation Medicine” – View Source
- “Scoliosis Screening and Diagnostic Technologies: A Comparative Study” – View Source
- “Economic Impact of Scoliosis Treatment and Management” – View Source
