Hong Kong Archives - InnoHEALTH magazine https://ztt.nrm.mybluehostin.me/innohealthmagazinetag/hong-kong/ India's first magazine on healthcare innovations Wed, 10 Jan 2024 10:25:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 https://innohealthmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/innohealthmagazine-favicon.png Hong Kong Archives - InnoHEALTH magazine https://ztt.nrm.mybluehostin.me/innohealthmagazinetag/hong-kong/ 32 32 139068796 Tiny Robot Caterpillar Deliver Drugs https://innohealthmagazine.com/2019/innovation/tiny-robot-caterpillar-deliver-drugs/ https://innohealthmagazine.com/2019/innovation/tiny-robot-caterpillar-deliver-drugs/#respond Tue, 30 Apr 2019 09:56:37 +0000 https://ztt.nrm.mybluehostin.me/innohealthmagazine?p=5749 Researchers say that the robot is capable of carrying relatively heavy loads and adapting to adverse environments and could pave the way for medical technology advances.

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Tiny robot caterpillar designed to walk through the body to deliver drugs

The Research team at the City University of Hong Kong has developed a tiny robot with ‘caterpillar legs’ that could also be used to deliver drugs inside the human body. They say it can move efficiently inside surfaces within the body lined with, or entirely immersed in, body fluids such as blood or mucus. Researchers say that the robot is capable of carrying relatively heavy loads and adapting to adverse environments and could pave the way for medical technology advances. But what makes the ‘milli-robot’ stand out is its hundreds of less than one millimeter long pointed legs that look like tiny hair. The research was published in Nature Communications. The robot’s body thickness measures around 0.15 mm, with each conical leg measuring 0.65 mm long and the gap between the legs measuring about 0.6 mm, making the leg-length-to-gap ratio around 1:1. The pointed legs have greatly reduced the contact area thus reducing friction. Laboratory tests showed that the multi-legged robot has 40 times less friction than a limbless robot in both wet and dry environment. The robot is fabricated with a silicon material called polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) embedded with magnetic particles which enables it to be remotely controlled by applying electromagnetic force. Both the materials and the multi-leg design greatly improve the robot’s hydrophobic property. The robot is controlled by a magnetic manipulator that can move it in both a flap propulsion pattern and an inverted pendulum pattern meaning that it can use its front feet to flap forward as well as swinging the body by standing on the left and right feet alternately to advance respectively. The researchers said ‘the rugged surface and changing the texture of different tissues inside the human body makes transportation challenging. Our multi-legged robot shows an impressive performance in various terrains and hence open wide applications for drug delivery inside the body.’ The research team further proved that when facing an obstacle ten times higher than its leg length, the robot, with its deformable soft legs, is able to lift up one end of its body to form an angle of up to 90 degrees and cross the obstacle easily and can also increase its speed by increasing the electromagnetic frequency applied. The robot also shows a remarkable loading ability. Lab tests showed that it was capable of carrying a load 100 times heavier than itself, a strength comparable to an ant, one of the strongest creatures in nature or to a human being able to easily lift a 26-seated mini-bus. Before conducting further tests on animals and eventually on humans, the research teams are further developing and refining their research in three aspects, namely finding a biodegradable material, studying new shapes and adding extra features. The team hopes to create a biodegradable robot in the next two to three years, so it will decompose naturally after its meds delivery mission.

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]]> https://innohealthmagazine.com/2019/innovation/tiny-robot-caterpillar-deliver-drugs/feed/ 0 5749 Insurance Needs to Go Global https://innohealthmagazine.com/2018/well-being/global-insurance/ https://innohealthmagazine.com/2018/well-being/global-insurance/#respond Fri, 11 May 2018 08:54:58 +0000 https://ztt.nrm.mybluehostin.me/innohealthmagazine?p=4057 Amid growing awareness for the insurance coverage due to the high cost involved in medical treatment at super specialty hospitals, InnoHEALTH magazine interviewed seasoned player of the insurance discipline Mr. Sethi, Vice President Insurance Foundation of India and sought answers for simple queries by people.

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]]> If the textile industry is permitted to get flammability tests done on garments in Hong Kong then why Insurance companies should not permit clinical and pathological tests (not available in India), which are to be conducted in a foreign country? asks S.K Sethi, an Insurance Expert.

For a hawk of health insurance business, convolutedness of the insurance cover is not a hard nut to crack but for a gullible buyer, it is not a facile task to comprehend its intricacies. Amid growing awareness for the insurance coverage due to the high cost involved in medical treatment at super speciality hospitals, InnoHEALTH magazine interviewed seasoned player of the insurance discipline Mr Sethi, Vice President Insurance Foundation of India and sought answers for simple queries by people.

Mr. Sethi, who is closely following recently announced National Health Protection scheme by the Union government for ten crore poor people and enthusiastically await roll out of the full scheme, said it would herald a new era in the health sector as the country has pan India facilities to implement the plan, but “ only little bit intelligent planning” is warranted.

Also Read: Ten Crore Poor People to Get Health Insurance

EXCERPTS ABOUT INSURANCE

How is the Health Insurance Premium determines?

It depends on the age, sum assured, whether a person to be insured has any pre-existing disease or adverse health conditions. The rates are fixed (approved by IRDA) and are available in the brochure published by the insurance company.

My employer provides me with health insurance coverage. Is it advisable to take another policy on my own?

If the sum assured is good and the company is doing fine then you should think positive and do not go in for the additional sum. When you plan to leave the organization then you must verify from the new employer whether they have suitable sum assured available for you as part of compensation package. If no health insurance is available, then you must buy Health Insurance immediately so that 30 days cooling off period of the new policy (purchased by you) is matching with last 30 days with your employer. Try to have this health insurance from the same Insurance Company.

Will the agent be helpful in settling of claims in future?

Yes, your agent will be helpful. But he is getting 100% of his income from the insurance company and he may be getting .001 % of his income from you. If he has to make a choice, it is natural that he will favour Insurance Company. You are the best person to decide whether to buy directly from the company or through an agent. Theoretically, the agent is supposed to help you in claim settlement, but time will tell when the claim is to be lodged. Be positive and buy it through an agent but better buy through an Insurance Brokerage Firm as it offers a wider choice and is large enough to protect your interests.

How much should you invest in health insurance?

You have to invest according to your health the requirements and the resources you have. You can invest by deciding about your budget for health insurance. If your budget is not a constraint, you can invest by deciding about the sum assured and services required by you.

I might be laid off soon. Should I see my doctor before I lose my insurance?

No purpose will be served by seeing your doctor. You should consult an Insurance Brokerage Firm and buy a health insurance, the policy which should be issued at least 30 days before your last day in your present company. This protects your interest.

Will my health insurance coverage Clinical Trials?
We feel that if treatment is;
1. Part of hospitalization in a reputed hospital like AIIMS, capable of conducting clinical trials under controlled conditions.
2. Under the supervision of a reputed doctor
3. Medical Council (Ministry of Health) approves clinical trials

Then it will be payable. If it does not fulfill these conditions, then you may have difficulty in getting it paid as the issue is around treatment as well as the price of the medicine.

I own a pet and my vet bills are sky-high. Is there such a thing as health insurance for animals?

It depends on a pet. But definitely, it is not part of Health Insurance policy which is for human beings only. Cattle Insurance covers cow and buffalo.

Should I pay my premiums through the agent?

If he is ready to provide you with the service – yes. It is your duty that cheques should reach the insurance company well in time. Not picking up on the cheques by the agent is no excuse. If your cheque has not reached the insurance company on time, your policy may have a break and you may lose the benefits. You can also pay the premium online.

I already have a health insurance policy. Should I still buy a life insurance policy with the riders?

Health Insurance Policy covers your hospitalization needs. Life insurance covers your retirement needs. Adding of critical illness rider will take care of incidence of you getting a critical illness like cancer. Every product is different and fulfills different needs. Study it carefully and make a decision.

Are the new clinical and pathological tests, not available in India and done abroad covered under the mediclaim rules of the country? If no, are efforts being made to do?

Some insurance companies permit you to take the opinion. Your suggestion is very good, and we feel Insurance companies will start offering the same. If the Textile industry is permitted to get flammability tests done on garments in Hong Kong then why Insurance companies should not permit clinical and pathological tests (not available in India), which are to be conducted in the foreign country.

 

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