Editorial Team Editor-in-Chief Ada Leung Wing-yee Managing Editors Brenda Yau Florence Chan Executive Editors Kit Chan Tina Chan Pauline Yung Feature Writer Kathy Griffin Graphic Design Good Morning Design www.med.hku.hk All rights reserved 2025 Care for the Environment 保護環境 If you would like to opt-out of receiving a printed copy and subscribe to the e-version of HKUMed News, please complete the online form by scanning the above QR code (for alumni), or send us an e-mail: mfedit@hku.hk. 如欲取消訂閲印刷紙本及轉為接收電子版HKUMed News，請掃描二維碼並填寫網上表格（供校友填寫）或電郵至 mfedit@hku.hk。 The information contained in this publication is solely for the purpose of reporting the Faculty’s latest developments. None of such information is intended to be for, nor shall therefore be treated as, dissemination of professional service information of doctors to the public. 本刊物的內容僅為報導學院最新發展，其所提供的內容並非，亦不應被視為向公眾傳播醫生的專業服務的資訊。
02 Feature 專題故事 Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Translation Platform― Pioneering the Future of Health 跨學科協作與轉化平台―引領未來健康新紀元 16 The 214th Congregation 第214屆學位頒授典禮 18 Feature+ 專題+ Strengthening Synergy: The School of Clinical Medicine Fosters Collaboration 强化協同效應：臨床醫學學院促進跨界合作 22 Feature+ 專題+ The Story Behind the Centre for Comparative Medicine Research 比較醫學研究中心：科研的堅實後盾 26 HKUMed Connects: Forging Partnership Worldwide 聯通世界：拓展全球夥伴網絡 28 HKUMed Welcomes Outstanding New Medical Students for the 2025/26 Academic Year 醫學院喜迎2025/26學年卓越醫科新生 New School of Biomedical Engineering Drives Interdisciplinary Innovation 成立生物醫學工程學院推動跨學科創新 HKUMed State Key Laboratories Honoured at Plaque Presentation Ceremony Contributing to National and Global Scientific Excellence 醫學院全國重點實驗室獲授牌 助力國家及全球科技發展 HKUMed and CMHHK Forge Strategic Alliance to Advance Chinese Medicine 醫學院與中醫醫院共同推動中醫藥發展 GBAICTI, HKUMed and GSK to Promote Real-World Research 粵葛港蘭澳素大史灣克區合國作際推臨動床真試實驗世所界數、據港研大究醫學院及 Inaugural Healthcare Training Programme for National Healthcare Top Talents 為國家衞生健康高端人才舉辦首屆短期研修班 HKJCGHI Launches Headquarters and a Joint Lab to Drive Global Health Innovation 香港賽馬會環球衞生研究院總部暨聯合實驗室揭幕 推動全球衞生創新 32 A Nexus of Clinical Services, Education and Translational Research 臨床服務與教研交匯點 Preparing for Safe and Healthy Travels 妥善預備 確保旅程安全健康 Correcting Allergy Labels for Safer Patient Care 更正過敏標籤 提升病人安全 34 Dedication Ceremony for Tam Wing Fan Medical Development Fund 「譚榮芬醫學發展基金」銘謝典禮 35 People First―A Celebration of Fun and Togetherness! 以人為本――歡樂相聚時刻！ 36 Achievements 獎項與成就 46 Clinical Service Excellence Awards 2025 – Winners’ Sharing 2025年度臨床服務卓越獎――得獎感言 48 Activities and Events 活動紀要 49 People 人物 Hello 新臉孔 Appointments and Promotions 任命與晉升 Alumni News校友活動 Student Activities 學生活動 Student Achievements 學生成就 In Remembrance 永遠懷念 62 Donations 捐贈者名單 1 HKUMed News Winter 2025
Our vision is for digital health AI systems to work hand-in-hand with clinical and laboratory research and to be used by healthcare professionals to deliver safer, more effective and more compassionate patient care. Professor Chak-sing Lau ‘ ’ With the rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and big data technology, a whole new paradigm in medicine―digital health―is beginning to take centre stage. Already, a number of HKUMed scientists have adopted AI to advance and translate their research into community applications. Now, HKUMed is preparing to formalise and strengthen these efforts across the Faculty and the University with a new collaborative platform that will further nurture innovative health AI research and enable clinically validated AI and big data systems to be translated to maximise their social impact. Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Translation Platform Pioneering the Future of Health FEATURE 2
Embracing Digital Health and AI Innovation ‘Our population is ageing and the healthcare workforce is dwindling. To contribute to improved healthcare in the future, we must accelerate the integration of data-driven, clinically validated AI systems,’ said Professor Chak-sing Lau, VicePresident & Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health) and Dean of Medicine. ‘Our vision is for digital health AI systems to work hand-in-hand with clinical and laboratory research and to be used by healthcare professionals to deliver safer, more effective and more compassionate patient care.’ In practice, this will mean scientists and clinicians receive support from AI and data science experts in creating programmes for extracting meaningful information from data and turning that into 3 HKUMed News Winter 2025
FEATURE practical applications, such as mobile apps and digital health solutions. ‘A central repository, a kind of “Data Commons”, will manage HKUMed’s already-substantial data repository and ensure that proper privacy and security protocols are maintained. Regulatory and business development professionals will also be brought in, and industry and community partnerships will be initiated and strengthened,’ said Professor Esther Chan Wai-yin, Chairperson of the HKUMed Research Data Collaboration Task Force, Director of the Centre for Safe Medication Practice and Research (CSMPR), and Assistant Dean (Health Sciences Education). Dedicated Platform to Bridge Research, Clinical Discoveries, Technology and the World The development of this platform is being coordinated by Professor Esther Chan Wai-yin, Professor Joshua Ho Wing-kei, Assistant Dean (Innovation & Technology Transfer), and Professor Walter Seto Wai-kay, Assistant Dean (Interdisciplinary Collaboration), with substantial support from HKUMed colleagues and partners such as the HKU Musketeers Foundation Institute of Data Science. The platform is expected to be launched in the coming months. The aim is for it to become a major hub for digital health in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and beyond. This initiative will build on the Faculty’s strong performance in innovation and technology transfer, as illustrated in the research stories covered in this section. ‘Our Faculty has always had a variety of electronic medical datasets, such as genomics data, sequencing data and medical imaging, and mobile and wearable devices are also being developed,’ said Professor Ho. ‘What we have been missing is a dedicated platform to consolidate and integrate these activities, which is essential for accelerating research and translating findings into practical applications.’ As a bioinformatics specialist, Professor Ho noted that every year during grant application seasons, his colleagues reach out for help in developing systems that can collect and analyse their data and present it in different ways. Professor Seto, an experienced clinical researcher, said, ‘Ten years ago, these were areas that a traditional biomedical researcher might have been working on. But now with increased interdisciplinary collaboration between medicine, engineering and other fields, we see this integration trend becoming very important for the future.’ The platform will operate similarly to the Centre for PanorOmic Sciences (CPOS), which serves the whole Faculty with services such as genome sequencing, microscopy and mass spectrometry analysis. But it will go beyond technical support by offering help with regulatory requirements and commercialisation. ‘It will deepen the application of AI and medical big data by emphasising strategic projects, such as innovative vaccine development, cancer screening and treatment, stroke rehabilitation, healthcare support, mental health and neurodegeneration, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and bone health. The primary objective of this new initiative is to advance the application of AI technology to enhance societal health and well-being, thereby addressing public health needs through technological innovation,’ said Professor Chan. We need a dedicated platform to consolidate and integrate these activities, which is essential for accelerating research and translating findings into practical applications. Professor Joshua Ho Wing-kei ‘ ’ 4
With increased interdisciplinary collaboration between medicine, engineering, and other fields, we see this integration trend becoming very important for the future. Professor Walter Seto Wai-kay ‘ ’ Enhancing Community Health and Wellness through Translation ‘Solutions do not necessarily have to focus on products or commercialisation,’ Professor Ho added. ‘HKUMed strongly encourages the use of innovations for community health and wellness, such as the smoking cessation programme in the School of Nursing, which uses chatbots and other technologies, the HKU Stroke’s App, designed for stroke patients and their families, and SUPPORT+, for cancer patients and their families.’ ‘Translation is not only about commercialisation; it is also about supporting community medicine, preventive health, care of older adults, and social well-being,’ he continued. Professor Seto said the wider, long-term aim for their innovation platform is to be a model for others. ‘HKU is ideally positioned to become a trusted hub to lead the development and translation of clinically validated, AI-enabled systems and devices and big data analytics that can improve overall healthcare quality,’ he said. ‘By adopting these tools, we aim to achieve lasting benefits for the healthcare sector locally, regionally, and internationally, and thereby also contribute to the city’s development as a health and medical innovation hub.’ ‘This interdisciplinary collaboration and translation elevates our collective work in data sciences to the next level, providing a platform to strengthen communication and innovation that leads to positive change,’ Professor Chan said. This interdisciplinary collaboration and translation elevates our collective work in data sciences to the next level, providing a platform to strengthen communication and innovation that leads to positive change. Professor Esther Chan Wai-yin ‘ ’ 5 HKUMed News Winter 2025
FEATURE Dean Lau pointed out that the Faculty’s commitment to innovation is not limited to research. ‘It is just as important to ensure that the new generation of healthcare professionals and researchers are equipped with the skills and mindset necessary for innovation,’ he said. AI is increasingly integrated in teaching and learning, as evidenced by the University’s decision to make it mandatory for all HKU students to take a basic AI literacy course, starting in September 2025. HKUMed has been ahead of the curve in this regard, having already integrated technologies related to AI, virtual reality and digital health into the curriculum over the past five years. This is now led by Professor Gary Lau Kui-kai, Assistant Dean (Education Innovations) and Director of Education Technology and SIMHSE (Students in Medical and Health Sciences Education). ‘Our mission is to leverage cutting-edge EdTech―from VR to AI―to transform health sciences education. These tools and applications are being used to help students master complex anatomy and practise simulated patient scenarios, thereby enhancing their clinical reasoning and communication skills,’ said Professor Gary Lau. ‘Crucially, this journey is not just about new hardware; we are also actively partnering with our students to turn their innovative ideas into effective teaching practices.’ HKUMed has also set its sights on promoting AI use and innovation among the youth. In July this year, the final competition of the inaugural Hong Kong InnoHealth Cup was held, in which teams of local secondary students submitted their best ideas for applying AI and big data to health problems. The 12 finalists were paired with mentors from HKUMed to coach and guide them in refining their ideas. The winner was a proposed AI-driven peptide drug for cancer treatment. All other submissions are also impressive, as reflected by Convenor of the InnoHealth Cup, Professor Chan Ying-shing, who is the Senior Advisor to the Dean cum Director of Campus Development and Infrastructure. ‘The participants demonstrated remarkable creativity, critical thinking and interdisciplinary integration in the field of medical technology,’ he said. ‘They not only mastered the application of AI and big data, but also effectively utilised this in real-life medical scenarios, proposing forwardthinking solutions.’ Our mission is to leverage cutting-edge EdTech—from VR to AI—to transform health sciences education. These tools and applications are being used to help students master complex anatomy and practise simulated patient scenarios, thereby enhancing their clinical reasoning and communication skills. Professor Gary Lau Kui-kai ‘ ’ The participants in the InnoHealth Cup not only mastered the application of AI and big data, but also effectively utilised this in real-life medical scenarios, proposing forward-thinking solutions. Professor Chan Ying-shing ‘ ’ Education and Development of the Next Generation of the Healthcare Workforce Engagement with Youth and the Community 6
跨學科協作與轉化平台 引領未來健康新紀元 隨著人工智能 (AI) 與大數據技術飛速發展，一種全新的醫療模式――數�健康及智慧醫療――正逐漸成為焦 點。醫學院不少學者已採用AI推進研究並轉化至社區應用。現在，醫學院正籌備成立一個全新的協作平台， 旨在進一步培育創新的健康AI研究，並將經臨床驗證的AI及大數據系統轉化，從而提升社會影響力。 邁向智慧醫療新紀元 副校長（健康）兼醫學院院長劉澤星教授表示:「人口正 在老化，而醫療人力卻在減少。為推動未來醫療進步， 必須加速整合數據驅動、經臨床驗證的AI系統。」 「我們的願景是促進數�健康AI系統與臨床及實驗室研 究緊密協作，助醫護人員為病人提供更安全、有效和 人性化的照護。」 在實踐中，這意味科學家和臨床醫生將獲得AI與數據科 學專家的支援，開發能從數據中提取有用資訊，並轉化 為實用工具（如手機應用和數�健康解決方案）的項目。 醫學院研究數據協作專責小組主席、安全用藥實踐與研 究中心總監及助理院長（本科教育－醫療衞生科學） 陳慧賢教授解釋：「一個中央資料庫，類似『數據共享 我們的願景是促進數�健康 AI系統與臨床及實驗室研究 緊密協作，助醫護人員為 病人提供更安全、有效和 人性化的照護。 ――劉澤星教授 「 」 平台』的系統，將管理醫學院現有的大量數據，並確保 遵循私隱與安全規範。我們亦會引入監管與業務發展 專家，並加強與業界和社區的合作。」 7 HKUMed News Winter 2025
FEATURE 我們需要一個專屬平台來整合 這些活動，這對加速研究並將 成果轉化至實際應用至關重要。 ――何永基教授 「 」 專設平台 連繫研究、臨床、科技與世界 此平台由陳慧賢教授、助理院長（創新及技術轉移） 何永基教授及助理院長（跨學科協作）司徒偉基教授共 同統籌，並獲醫學院同仁及香港大學同心基金會數據 科學研究院等夥伴支持，將於數月內推出，目標是成 為香港、大灣區乃至全球的數�健康重要樞紐。平台 的設立建基於醫學院在創新及技術轉移方面已有卓越 的表現，這在本文後部呈現的研究故事中清楚可見。 何教授表示：「醫學院一直擁有各種電子醫療數據， 如基因組數據、測序數據、醫學影像等，很多人也在 開發行動和可穿戴設備。我們一直缺乏一個專屬平台 來整合這些活動，而這對加速研究並將成果轉化至實 際應用至關重要。」 作為生物信息學專家，何教授每年在申請研究經費期 間，都見證同事尋求協助建立可以收集和分析數據並 以不同方式呈現的系統。 擁有豐富臨床研究經驗的司徒教授指出：「十年前， 這些可能是傳統生物醫學研究員涉足的領域。但現 在，隨著醫學、工程等領域的跨學科合作日益增加， 我們看到這整合趨勢對未來極為重要。」 平台運作模式類似為全院提供基因測序、顯微鏡及質 譜分析等服務的香港大學泛組學科研中心，但將進一 步提供法規與商業化支援。 陳教授補充：「平台將深化AI與醫療大數據的應用， 重點開展策略項目，包括發展創新疫苗、癌症篩查與 治療、中風復康、醫療支援、精神健康與神經退化、 心血管疾病、神經退化性疾病及骨骼健康等研究。新 舉措的主要目標是推進AI技術應用，以科技創新應對 公共衞生需求，提升社會健康與福祉。」 科研轉化 提升社會健康和保健 何教授補充：「科研轉化方案不一定指向產品或商業 化。醫學院大力鼓勵將創新科技用於社區健康，如護 理學院的戒煙聊天機械人技術、中風研究組為中風患 者及家屬而設的應用程式，以及為癌症患者及家屬而 設的『SUPPORT+』。轉化不僅是商業化，也關乎支 援社區醫療、預防保健、老年護理和社會福祉。」 司徒教授表示，創新平台的更長遠目標是成為他人的 典範。「港大具備理想條件，成為可信賴的樞紐，主 導開發和轉化經臨床驗證的AI系統、設備及大數據分 析，以提升整體醫療質素。我們希望透過採用這些工 具，為本地、區域乃至全球醫療界帶來持久效益， 促進中國香港作為健康及醫療創新中心的發展。」 陳教授總結：「這跨學科協作與轉化將我們的數據科 學工作提升至新層次，提供平台以加強溝通與創新， 引領正向改變。」 這跨學科協作與轉化將我們的 數據科學工作提升至新層次， 提供平台以加強溝通與創新， 引領正向改變。 ――陳慧賢教授 「 」 隨著醫學、工程等領域的跨學 科合作日益增加，我們看到這 整合趨勢對未來極為重要。 ――司徒偉基教授 「 」 8
培育新一代醫療人才 青年與社區參與 劉院長指出：「醫學院致力推動創新，不只限於研 究，並確保新一代醫護人員和研究人員具備創新 相關的技能與思維同樣重要。」 由2025年9月起，大學要求所有學生修讀基礎AI 素養課程，正式將AI融入教學。 醫學院早已走在前沿，過去五年已將AI、虛擬實 境和數字健康相關技術整合到課程中，現由助理 院長（教學創新）及教學科技及師生共策教學總監 劉巨基教授領導。 劉巨基教授說：「我們的使命是運用從虛擬實境到 AI等尖端教育科技，革新醫療衞生科學教育。這 些工具正用於協助學生掌握複雜的解剖學知識，並 進行模擬病患情境，從而提升其臨床推理與溝通能 力。關鍵在於，這不僅關乎設置新硬件設備；我 們更積極與學生合作，將他們的創新構想轉化為有 效的教學實踐。」 醫學院亦致力推動本地青少年參與AI應用與創 新。今年7月，首屆「香港健康創科盃」舉行決賽， 本地中學生隊伍競逐提交應用AI與大數據解決健 康問題的最佳方案。12支決賽隊伍均獲醫學院導 師指導。 一個憑AI研發肽類藥物治療癌症的創新方案奪得 比賽冠軍。比賽召集人、院長資深顧問兼校園發 展及基建總監陳應城教授表示，所有參賽作品均 令人印象深刻。 陳應城教授說：「比賽充分體現了中學生在醫療 科技領域的創造力、批判思維與跨學科整合能 力。參賽同學不僅能夠掌握AI與大數據的技術， 且能靈活應用於真實的醫療場景，提出具前瞻性 的解決方案。」 我們的使命是運用從虛擬實境到 AI等尖端教育科技，革新醫療衞 生科學教育。這些工具正用於協 助學生掌握複雜的解剖學知識， 並進行模擬病患情境，從而提升 其臨床推理與溝通能力。 ――劉巨基教授 「 」 健康創科盃的參與者不僅能夠 掌握AI與大數據的技術，且能 靈活應用於真實的醫療場景， 提出具前瞻性的解決方案。 ――陳應城教授 「 」 9 HKUMed News Winter 2025
FEATURE Two award-winning inventions from HKUMed combine AI and mobile devices to make it possible for people to effectively monitor their heart health and blood pressure using just their mobile phones. Both the heart monitor, Vitogram®, and the blood pressure monitor, Sphygmio, involve Professor Joshua Ho Wing-kei, from the School of Biomedical Sciences. Vitogram® has been dubbed an ‘AI doctor in your pocket’ because it can collect and analyse heart sounds―whereas most other digital health devices focus on pulse and electrical activity. It won a Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (IEIG) 2024. ‘Analysing heart sounds is important because it provides health data comparable to that obtained by a doctor using a stethoscope,’ said Professor Ho. ‘Our system allows anyone to use a regular smartphone to conveniently assess their heart health simply by placing their mobile device on their chest.’ If abnormal heart sounds are detected, users can seek appropriate medical attention, making the invention an important tool for the early detection of valvular heart disease (VHD), heart rhythm abnormalities and personalised health management. A clinical study conducted at HKUMed found that this smartphone-based AI system can accurately detect abnormal heart sounds caused by significant VHD at a level comparable to a doctor’s stethoscope assessment. Listen to Your Heart, Mobile Phone Only 10
以手機監測心臟健康 醫學院的兩項獲獎發明，結合人工智能（AI）與行動裝置 技術，讓人們僅需使用手機便能有效監測心臟健康與血 壓狀況。 無論是心臟監測儀 Vitogram®還是血壓監測儀 Sphygmio，均由生物醫學學院何永基教授帶領研發。 Vitogram®被譽為「口袋裡的AI醫生」，因其能收集並分析 心臟聲音――而多數數�健康裝置僅專注於脈搏與電生理 活動。此發明於2024年第49屆日內瓦國際發明展榮獲「評 判特別嘉許金獎」。 何教授指出：「分析心臟聲音至關重要，因為它能提供與 醫生使用聽診器所獲取的健康數據相當的信息。我們的系 統讓任何人都能使用普通智能手機，只需將裝置置於胸 前，即可便捷評估心臟健康狀況。」 若檢測到心音異常，使用者可及時就醫，使該發明成為早 期偵測瓣膜性心臟病、心律異常及實現個人化健康管理的 重要工具。醫學院臨床研究證實，這套基於手機的AI系統 能精準檢測因嚴重瓣膜性心臟病引發的異常心音，準確度 可媲美醫生使用聽診器評估的結果。 另一款血壓監測儀Sphygmio由何教授指導的博士生 郭子然研發，透過運用行動裝置內建感測器（如麥克風、 動作感應器與鏡頭）來測量血壓及其他生命徵象。此技術 可整合至遙距醫療系統，未來更有望應用於緊急救護，同 時能實現高擴展性的高血壓藥物劑量優化管理，並保障使 用者隱私。 Sphygmio於2025年第50屆日內瓦國際發明展榮獲「評判 特別嘉許金獎」。 郭子然表示：「血壓量測是評估中風風險、心血管健康與 長期身體狀況的關鍵生命徵象。傳統血壓監測方式多需使 用壓脈帶裝置，在緊急情況或遙距醫療情境中難以實行。 Sphygmio提供的創新方案正能解決這些問題。」 兩項裝置均以成果轉化與商業化為目標。Vitogram®的研 發靈感源自新冠疫情期間患者避免外出就診的醫療困境。 該裝置現已於美國食品及藥物管理局完成醫療器材註冊。 港大醫學院已成立衍生公司Vitome Limited，旨在將 Vitogram®與Sphygmio兩項技術推出市場。 這些計劃獲得中華人民共和國香港特別行政區政府創新 科技署「AIR@InnoHK」平台資助，該平台致力加速科研 成果轉化為臨床應用與商業產品。 Another blood pressure monitor, Sphygmio, was developed by Mr Nicholas Kwok Tse-yin, whose PhD supervisor is Professor Ho. It uses built-in sensors in mobile devices, such as microphones, motion sensors and cameras, to measure blood pressure and other vital signs. This capability can be integrated with telemedicine and may eventually be useful for emergency care. It could also enable scalable drug dosage optimisation for hypertension management, while protecting user privacy. Sphygmio won a Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the 50th IEIG this year. ‘Blood pressure measurement is a vital sign that is significant for assessing stroke risk, cardiovascular health and long-term wellness,’ said Mr Kwok. ‘Traditional blood pressure monitoring methods often involve cumbersome cuff-based devices, which can be impractical in emergencies or telemedicine situations. Sphygmio offers an innovative solution that can address these concerns.’ The devices are being developed with an eye to translation and commercialisation. Vitogram®, which was inspired by healthcare challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, when patients often avoided going out and seeking medical care, has been registered with the US Food and Drug Administration as a medical device. A HKUMed spin-off company, Vitome Limited, has also been established to bring both Vitogram® and Sphygmio to market. The projects have received funding support from the AIR@InnoHK platform of the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. The funding supports the rapid translation of scientific research into clinical applications and commercialisation. 11 HKUMed News Winter 2025
FEATURE Every millimetre matters in surgery. While tools are available to help surgeons improve precision, they tend to have built-in challenges, such as bulkiness, obstruction risks and high costs. Scientists at HKUMed have created an innovative solution that overcomes these challenges and holds the promise of reducing risks and improving safety and precision surgery, even in highly complex cases. The Multiview, Markerless, Magnetic Location Surgical Navigation System was developed by Dr Qi Weichen, Dr Meng Nan, Dr Cheng Pengfei, Professor Zhang Teng and Professor Jason Cheung Pui-yin in the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, SClinMed. The system, which uses computer vision AI and light field technology, won a Gold Award at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (IEIG) 2025. ‘Our system enables surgeons to accurately locate surgical targets, which reduces risks and complications,’ said Department Chairperson Professor Jason Cheung Pui-yin. ‘It also promotes minimally invasive surgery, which reduces surgical trauma and shortens patient recovery time. It can provide crucial assistance in complex surgeries, particularly in neurosurgery and orthopaedics.’ Unlike other surgical navigation systems, which use infrared stereoscopic cameras and reflective marker spheres to track the position and patient anatomy in Beyond the Infrared: The Next Era of Surgical Navigation 12
超越紅外線：手術導航新紀元 在外科手術中，每一毫米的差距都至關重要。雖然現有工 具能輔助醫生提升精準度，但往往存在固有缺陷，例如體 積龐大、易受遮擋與成本高昂。 為此，醫學院團隊研發出創新方案，不僅克服這些難題， 更能在高度複雜的手術中降低風險，提升安全性與精準度。 這項名為「多視角、無標記、磁性定位外科手術導航系統」 的發明，由臨床醫學學院矯形及創傷外科學系的戚威臣 博士、孟楠博士、程鵬飛博士、張騰教授及鍾培言教授共 同開發。 該系統結合電腦視覺AI與光場技術，於2025年第50屆日 內瓦國際發明展榮獲金獎。 學系系主任鍾培言教授表示：「我們的系統能協助外科醫生 精準定位手術目標，降低風險與併發症。同時促進微創手 術發展，減少手術創傷並加速患者康復。在神經外科與骨 科等複雜手術中，更能提供關鍵輔助。」 與其他採用紅外線立體攝影機及反射標記球體的手術導航 系統不同，該系統透過安裝於無影燈上的多組低成本攝影 機形成光場。系統運用AI分析攝影機傳輸的影像流，據此 定位手術器械與患者解剖結構的相對位置。 此系統具備多重優勢，包括成本效益高與減少笨重設備需 求。但最顯著的優點在於其視野永不受阻――傳統反光標 記常因醫護人員無意遮擋，導致手術中斷並需重新定位。 該系統的研發基礎源自團隊早前開發的骨科植入物通用定 位系統，系統運用磁場定位技術追蹤患者體內植入物位置， 曾於2022年日內瓦國際發明展獲銀獎。經進一步開發後， 系統已能支援多視角成像與無標記追蹤功能。團隊建構了 整合平台串聯所有技術，以進行AI訓練與演算法驗證。 鍾教授強調：「新系統的優勢在於其抗遮擋能力與無感知的 操作體驗。」 團隊的張騰教授補充：「高度穩健的智能設計讓外科醫生能 專注於手術本身，大幅減少因技術限制而需頻繁調整的狀 況。我們相信這項應用有助縮短平均手術時間、減少出血 量與手術創傷。同時可降低手術風險與術後併發症，從而 加速患者康復進程。」 real-time, based on infrared light reflected by the spheres, the system uses multiple low-cost cameras mounted on a shadowless lamp to form a light field. AI is used to analyse the video stream from the cameras and locate the surgical instruments in their relation to the patient’s anatomy. The system has many advantages, including costeffectiveness and reduced need for bulky equipment. But its most significant advantage is that its view cannot be blocked, unlike reflective markers which are often unintentionally obscured by operators, requiring the operation to be stopped and the markers repositioned. The system was developed on the back of the team’s Orthopaedic Implant General Positioning System, which tracks the position of implants in patients using magnetic field localisation. This earlier system won a Silver Award at the IEIG in 2022. It was further developed to accommodate multi-view imaging and markerless tracking. A platform was built to connect everything together for AI training and algorithm validation. ‘The strength of the new system lies in its antiobscuration capability and perception-free operating experience,’ said Professor Cheung. ‘The highly robust and intelligent design allows surgeons to focus on the surgery itself, minimising the need for frequent adjustments due to technical limitations. We believe that this application will help shorten the average operating time, minimise bleeding and reduce surgical trauma. It could also reduce surgical risks and postoperative complications, thereby shortening patient recovery time,’ Professor Zhang Teng added. 13 HKUMed News Winter 2025
FEATURE Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease and the leading cause of blindness. However, patients often do not realise they have it until it reaches an advanced stage. Screenings of public housing residents in Hong Kong aged 50 and above found the prevalence as high as seven per cent―yet most were unaware of their glaucoma. Symptoms of glaucoma are often subtle as the central vision is often preserved until the late stages. Patients frequently misattributed symptoms such as difficulty navigating obstacles to benign causes, particularly in dim environments. But now, thanks to technology developed by the research team led by Professor Christopher Leung Kai-shun, from the Department of Ophthalmology, SClinMed, glaucoma and other optic nerve diseases can be caught and treated earlier than ever. The innovative technology is called ROTA―for retinal nerve fibre layer optical texture analysis―and it is used to assess the health of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), which carries signals from the eye to the brain. ROTA assesses that layer using optical coherence tomography imaging (OCT), a noninvasive imaging technique that uses light waves to create high-resolution, crosssectional images of the retina. But while OCT has been in use for some time, on its own it has often resulted in false positives and false negatives, rendering clinical interpretations of the findings difficult, even for glaucoma specialists. ROTA overcomes this problem by using advanced computer algorithms to analyse the texture patterns with RNFL in the OCT images and reveal subtle changes indicative of eye disease, including alterations to individual axonal fibre bundles―the microscopic A New Sight Reader: Preventing Blindness Before It Starts 14
視力守門員：在失明發生前阻截危機 青光眼是一種漸進性眼疾，也是導致失明的主要元兇。然 而患者往往到病情晚期才察覺異狀。本港針對50歲以上公 屋居民的篩查顯示，青光眼患病率高達7%，但其中大部 分的患者此前渾然不覺――他們常將視野局部黑矇、在光 線昏暗處容易碰撞物體等症狀，誤認為是普通老化現象。 然而如今，憑藉由臨床醫學學院眼科學系梁啟信教授研究 團隊開發的創新技術，青光眼及其他視神經眼疾得以比以 往更早被偵測與治療。 這項名為「視網膜神經纖維層光學紋理分析」（ROTA）的技 術，專門評估負責傳遞視覺信號至大腦的視網膜神經纖維 層 (RNFL) 健康狀態。 ROTA採用光學相干斷層掃描（OCT）這種非侵入性成像技 術，透過光波生成高解析度視網膜橫斷面影像。儘管OCT 應用已有一段時日，但單獨使用時常出現假陽性與假陰性 結果，使臨床解讀結果變得困難，對青光眼專科醫生而言 亦為如此。 ROTA透過先進電腦演算法分析OCT影像中的神經纖維層 紋理模式，成功突破此限制。它能揭示預示眼病的細微變 化，包括組成神經纖維層的微小結構「軸突纖維束」的改 變，並可檢測視神經炎、缺血性與壓迫性視神經病變中的 軸突纖維束損傷。 梁教授解釋：「常規臨床檢測難以察覺的局部視網膜神經纖 維層缺損，ROTA都能精準捕捉。研究顯示，相較傳統 OCT分析，ROTA將青光眼早期視神經損傷的檢測靈敏度 提升了15%至22%。」 在香港，醫學院已與國際救盲組織奧比斯合作，將ROTA 運用於4,000名公屋居民的青光眼篩查計劃上。本港南區 重點項目亦借助此技術為逾21,000人進行檢測。基於 ROTA的實證成效，中華人民共和國香港特別行政區政府 已撥款近4,000萬港元，於社區護眼計劃中全面推行 ROTA及相關AI應用。 目前ROTA已獲得專利授權，於全球其他地區投入臨床使 用，並獲國際先進神經和青光眼成像網絡（ANGI Network）採用。該網絡匯聚全球眼科醫生、神經眼科醫 生與臨床研究人員，醫學院作為委員會成員，與史丹福大 學、倫敦大學學院、韓國首爾峨山醫學中心等頂尖機構共 同推動青光眼研究發展。 structures that comprise the RNFL. It can also identify axonal fibre bundle damage in optic neuritis, ischemic optic neuropathy and compressive optic neuropathy. ‘ROTA can detect focal RNFL defects that are missed by standard clinical tests,’ explained Professor Leung. ‘Our research shows that it increases the sensitivity of detecting early optic nerve damage in glaucoma by 15 to 22 per cent compared to conventional OCT analysis alone.’ In Hong Kong, China, ROTA has been deployed as part of a screening programme for 4,000 public housing residents for glaucoma, in collaboration with the charity Orbis. The Hong Kong Southern District Signature Project has also leveraged ROTA technology to screen over 21,000 individuals. Recognising ROTA’s proven impact, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China has committed nearly HK$40 million to implement ROTA and related AI applications in a comprehensive communitybased eye-care programme. ROTA has been patented and licensed for use in other parts of the world. It is also being deployed in the international Advanced Nerve and Glaucoma Imaging (ANGI) Network, which comprises ophthalmologists, neuro-ophthalmologists and clinical researchers from around the world. HKUMed is a committee member of the ANGI Network, along with other world-leading institutions in glaucoma research, such as Stanford University, University College London, and the Asan Medical Center in South Korea. 15 HKUMed News Winter 2025
More than 700 graduates celebrated their academic achievements with family and friends at the Faculty-based 214th Congregation, held on 12 July 2025 in the Grand Hall of the HKU Centennial Campus. Professor Chak-sing Lau, Vice-President & Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health) and Dean of Medicine, presided over the Ceremony, conferring the degrees upon the graduands. Mr Jason Chiu Tsz-kiu, Founder of Cherrypicks and the Honorary President of the Hong Kong Startup Council, graced the event as the Guest of Honour. He congratulated the graduates and extended warm wishes as they embark on a new chapter in their lives. In his State of the Faculty Address, Professor Lau outlined HKUMed’s new initiatives across multiple domains. This included enriching education in clinical and health sciences, integrating cutting-edge educational technology, strengthening research capabilities and infrastructure, promoting primary care and expanding community services, and deepening partnerships. He also emphasised the importance of staff well-being, highlighting recent diverse activities organised to support physical and mental health, and urged everyone to prioritise holistic wellness. Professor Lau specifically mentioned the inaugural ‘Hong Kong InnoHealth Cup’, co-organised with the Hong Kong Subsidized Secondary Schools Council. The final competition, held on the same day, encouraged secondary students to leverage AI and big data to develop innovative solutions for healthcare challenges. ‘While we are all excited about the potential of AI in health technology, we must also remember that the human factor remains key to its success,’ he said. ‘We need human input to realise the greatest gains from technology. Our mission here at HKUMed is to keep the human perspective front and centre.’ 香港大學第214屆學位頒授典禮於2025年7月 12日在港大百周年校園李兆基會議中心大會堂舉 行。逾700位畢業生與親友分享畢業的喜悅。 典禮由副校長（健康）兼醫學院院長劉澤星教授主 持，並向畢業生頒授學位。創奇思有限公司創辦 人及香港初創企業協會名譽會長趙子翹先生擔任主 禮嘉賓，他向一眾畢業生送上祝福，為他們踏上 人生新一頁打氣。 劉教授發表《院況咨文》，概述醫學院在不同領域 的計劃和舉措，包括强化臨床和醫療衞生科學教 育、融合尖端教育科技、提升研究實力和基礎建 設、推動基層醫療及拓展社區服務，以及深化合 作夥伴關係等。他同時强調教職員的重要性，列 舉學院近期籌辦的多元化活動，提醒大家務要保 持良好的身心健康。他又特別提到學院與香港津 貼中學議會合辦，在同日舉行的首屆香港健康創 科盃決賽，比賽鼓勵中學生透過人工智能及大數 據，展示創意，為醫療問題研發解決方案。他説： 「儘管我們對AI在醫療科技領域的潛力感到振奮， 但我們必須緊記，其成功的關鍵要素始終在於 『人』。唯有透過人的投入，方能實現科技的最大 效益。醫學院的使命，正是堅守以人為本的核心 價值。」 The 214th Congregation 第214屆學位頒授典禮 ‘While we are all excited about the potential of AI in health technology, we must also remember that the human factor remains key to its success. We need human input to realise the greatest gains from technology. Our mission here at HKUMed is to keep the human perspective front and centre.’ 「儘管我們對AI在醫療科技領域的潛力 感到振奮，但我們必須緊記，其成功 的關鍵要素始終在於『人』。唯有透過人 的投入，方能實現科技的最大效益。 醫學院的使命，正是堅守以人為本的 核心價值。」 ―― Professor Chak-sing Lau 劉澤星教授 Read State of the Faculty Address 2025 閱讀《2025年院況咨文》 (只供英文版) 16
‘Take with you the wisdom of those who walked before, and the lessons you will gather on your own path. Put on your white coats, and go heal the world, not just with your knowledge, but with your courage, your quality hard work, your compassion, and your character.’ 「帶著前人的智慧，以及在人生路上所累積的經驗和領悟 的教訓前行。穿上白袍，除憑藉自身的知識，更要用勇氣、 努力、仁心和品格，去守護世界。」 ―― Mr Jason Chiu Tsz-kiu 趙子翹先生 17 HKUMed News Winter 2025
FEATURE+ HKUMed’s clinical departments and units have long operated with distinct expertise and autonomy, but the benefits of greater collaboration to amplify their impact had also become clear. With that in mind, the School of Clinical Medicine (SClinMed) was formed in 2022 to bring greater synergy and enhance their work. Professor Gilberto Leung Ka-kit, Senior Advisor (Teaching & Learning) and Tsang Wing-Hing Professor in Clinical Neuroscience, has been entrusted to take up its directorship from April 2025. Strengthening Synergy: The School of Clinical Medicine Fosters Collaboration 18
‘The clinical departments and units retain their own identity in the School. They are each unique and we should respect and treasure that,’ said Professor Leung. ‘My role, and the role of the School, is to be the bridge between the departments and units on one side, and the Deanery and the Hospital Authority (HA) on the other.’ Professor Leung brings to the role a wealth of experience on all sides. He worked in the HA for 10 years before joining HKUMed in 2005 and then the Deanery in 2009. He is also the Immediate-Past President of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, where he had gained a good understanding of the various clinical specialties that also exist in the School. ‘I like to think I know roughly how things work and more importantly, how the HA and HKU academic departments and units interact, how they collaborate or occasionally fail to collaborate, and the tension and synergy between the two sides,’ he said. The departments and units retain autonomy in such areas as finance and human resources, but Professor Leung said they will benefit from being more harmonised on such things as their relationship with Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) and the HA. That relationship has ebbed and flowed over the years―for a while, the institutional demarcations were harsher than necessary―but recently, there have been moves towards stronger collaboration in areas such as research, hospitalbased teaching and public engagement. ‘This kind of cut-across collaboration would be very hard to achieve if the HA had to talk with individual departments and units separately. This is where the School comes in because we make it much easier to coordinate things,’ he said. ‘We are trying to bring in a change of mindset on all sides that focuses on our common purpose. QMH’s achievement in clinical excellence is in no small part due to the fact that HKUMed has been there. And HKUMed has been able to do world-class research and train medical professionals because of QMH. If we can work and grow together, both will become better and stronger.’ Professor Leung and his team are now establishing processes and protocols on such things as how to pay due credit and acknowledge contributions from QMH’s staff in education, training and research, and how to effectively translate HKUMed research findings into clinical service at QMH. The team is also looking at how to share resources and collaborate with other HKUMed Schools and departments, and support smaller departments within the School of Clinical Medicine. Some departments are very well-established and wellresourced―for instance, Medicine celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023 and Surgery is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year―while younger departments and units may not have the same manpower levels and experience to actualise their missions and potentials. The coming expansion in physical space―a new clinical block at QMH and the revamped Grantham Hospital―is also on his radar and he aims to establish mechanisms with HA partners that will bode well for the future. ‘My role and the School’s role will be to coordinate and communicate and make life easier for the departments and units so they can get on with the work they are meant to do and are so very good at,’ said Professor Leung. My role and the School’s role will be to coordinate and communicate and make life easier for the departments and units so they can get on with the work they are meant to do and are so very good at. Professor Gilberto Leung Ka-kit ‘ ’ 19 HKUMed News Winter 2025
FEATURE+ SClinMed organises Research Mixer events to foster interdisciplinary collaboration. These events build partnerships across departments, centres and schools, promoting an integrated research culture within HKUMed. 學院不時舉辦研究交流會，以促進跨學科合作。這些活動旨為建立跨學系、 跨中心和跨學院的合作夥伴關係，推動醫學院内部的研究文化更加融合。 醫學院的臨床學系及部門各具專業優勢且獨立運作，但加強合作以提升整體影響力的需求 日益顯著。為此，臨床醫學學院於2022年成立，旨在促進協同效應並提升整體運作。醫 學院資深顧問（教學）兼曾永馨基金教授（臨床神經科學）梁嘉傑教授，自2025年4月起出 任臨床醫學學院院長。 強化協同效應： 臨床醫學學院 促進跨界合作 20
梁教授強調：「臨床學系和部門仍保留其獨特身份。它 們各具特色，我們應當尊重並珍視這一點。我和學院 的角色，是成為各學系和部門，與醫學院領導團隊及 醫院管理局（醫管局）之間的橋樑。」 梁教授具備全方位的豐富經驗。他曾在醫管局工作 十年，2005年加入醫學院，2009年進入醫學院領導 團隊。他也是香港醫學專科學院的前任主席，對學院 內不同臨床專科有深入了解。 他表示：「我大致了解各方面的運作，更理解醫管局與 港大各學系和部門如何互動、為何有時合作未能達成， 以及雙方之間的張力與協同效應。」 學院內學系和部門在財務、人力資源等領域仍保持自 主權。梁教授指出，若能在與瑪麗醫院和醫管局的關 係上更協調，將大有裨益。過去這種關係或有起伏並 受制於不同制度，但近期在研究、臨床教學和公共參 與方面的合作均有所增強。 他解釋道：「若醫管局需分別與各學系和�門溝通，跨 領域合作將難以實現。臨床醫學學院正可發揮協調作 用，使運作更為順暢。」 「我們正嘗試改變思維，聚焦共同目標。瑪麗醫院在 臨床方面的卓越成就，很大程度上得益於醫學院的支 持；而醫學院能開展世界級研究並培育醫療人才，也 有賴瑪麗醫院的配合。協同共進，雙方都將更加強大。」 梁教授及團隊正建立流程，包括如何在教學、培訓與 研究中表彰瑪麗醫院的貢獻，以及如何有效將醫學 研究成果轉化應用於瑪麗醫院的臨床服務。 團隊還致力於探索與醫學院其他學院和學系共享資 源、開展合作，並支援院內規模較小的學系。一些學 系歷史悠久而資源雄厚，如內科學系於2023年慶祝 成立百周年，外科學系則剛慶祝110周年；但較新的 學系可能因人力與經驗不足而未能充分發揮潛力。 此外，瑪麗醫院的新臨床大樓及葛量洪醫院重建計劃 等擴建項目，也是梁教授的關注重點。他計劃與醫管 局合作建立長遠機制，促進未來發展。他表示：「我 和學院的角色，是透過協調與溝通，讓各學系和�門 更易於專注他們擅長且重要的工作。」 我和學院的角色，是透過協調與溝通， 讓各學系和部門更易於專注他們擅長且重要的工作。 ――梁嘉傑教授 「 」 21 HKUMed News Winter 2025
‘Animal research is still a vital piece of the jigsaw that is needed for us to advance drug development and medicine and understand the mechanisms of diseases. While there has been a lot of progress in the last 10 years using computer modelling, cell lines and organoids, there is still no full replacement for animal research,’ said Dr Rowlands. ‘Currently, the CCMR serves researchers not only in medicine but also in dentistry, engineering, science and social sciences. Its work advances studies across numerous disciplines, such as cancer, infectious diseases, cardiology, diabetes, immunology, neurobiology, and biomedical engineering,’ he elaborated. Dr Rowlands has been working in animal research laboratories for nearly three decades, an experience that has shown him that the only way to get reliable and impactful results is by ensuring the animals in science are kept healthy, well-fed and allowed to lead an enriched life as possible. There are international standards to ensure this through AAALAC International, a global accreditation body for ensuring the welfare of animals in research. The CCMR was the first in Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, China to be accredited in 2005―20 years ago―and, in a sign of Asia’s growing importance in the field, Dr Rowlands became the first Council President of the organisation in 2024/25 from outside North America. The CCMR has animal welfare as its guiding principle and works with the Committee for the Use of Live Animals in Teaching and Research, which reviews every animal use at HKU with reference to a robust ethics protocol that evaluates the welfare impacts and potential scientific benefit of the research. ‘Basically, we want to make sure that the animal work is justified and that the animals’ welfare is ensured. Our aim is to minimise the use of animals as far as possible, whilst maintaining robust science,’ Dr Rowlands said. FEATURE+ 22
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