[Zhisu Technology] The launch event for China’s first liquid-metal-bearing CT X-ray tube was a success!

On April 27, the “Intelligence Without Borders: Rooted in Visionary Ambition” launch event and industry forum for ZhiShu Technology’s 2022 domestic debut—the first liquid-metal‑bearing CT X‑ray tube—was officially held in Beijing. Leading figures from across the industry, seasoned experts, and representatives from various sectors gathered at ZhiShu Technology’s headquarters to offer insights and lend their support to the new product. Together, they explored the evolving demands of medical imaging on CT systems and core components, as well as how to forge a new service model for imaging equipment anchored by domestically produced X‑ray tubes. Concurrently, two cutting‑edge, high‑end CT X‑ray tube models—the ZS502L and ZS302B—were unveiled via live stream. Backed by breakthrough technological innovations and robust product reliability, these offerings immediately captured widespread attention within the medical imaging sector and its application fields. (Nearly 3,000 viewers tuned in online to watch the event simultaneously.)

                      Product Side

Make the X-ray tube smarter.

At the outset of the event, Mr. Hu YinFu, CEO of Zhisu Technology, noted in his opening address that CT X‑ray tubes represent an exceptionally challenging niche within the field of vacuum electronic devices. The manufacturing process for these tubes entails a wide array of technical, process‑related, and material‑specific challenges, making them quintessential multidisciplinary products. The company’s name, “Zhisu,” reflects our long‑term vision: to make CT X‑ray tubes smarter and more agile, while ensuring their performance is increasingly predictable. “Pursuing technological advancement and delivering exceptional products” is our mission. We consistently uphold this rigorous, meticulous ethos throughout every stage of production, integrating CT X‑ray tubes seamlessly into our customers’ operational environments to address their core needs. By harmonizing cutting‑edge technology with artisanal craftsmanship, we provide industry‑leading components and comprehensive system‑level solutions, offering robust support for our clients’ innovation and growth.

As the leader of Zhishu Technology, Mr. Hu YinFu officially unveiled the company’s mission, vision, and core values for Version 1.0, articulating the essence of its corporate culture. He emphasized how the company effectively balances the interests of customers, shareholders, and employees. After all, every great endeavor is driven by people, and a strong talent pool is the key to success. At Zhishu, employee growth and development are our top priority. Through a high‑incentive compensation structure, an expansive ESOP equity‑pool, and performance‑based assessments aligned with our cultural values, we are building a platform that empowers our team to advance their careers. Only when our employees’ interests and professional aspirations are safeguarded can we truly deliver value to our customers and maximize shareholder returns.

In ZhiShu’s future development plan, Mr. Hu YinFu emphasized that the importance and growth prospects of liquid-metal‑bearing CT tubes in the market are clear, and the company aims to achieve full market coverage for such products within three years. At the same time, ZhiShu Technology will remain committed to independent innovation, continuously explore new avenues, and comprehensively enhance its product R&D and innovation capabilities. Looking ahead, ZhiShu Technology strives to deliver an even broader portfolio of superior CT tube products—“delivering qualified products and ensuring customer satisfaction.”

                  Technical Side

Domestic substitution: the power of Zhishu

At the event, Mr. Li Xu, R&D Director of ZhiShu Technology, officially unveiled the “ZS502L,” China’s first liquid-metal‑bearing CT tube, as well as the “ZS302B,” the latest ball‑bearing CT tube, highlighting their exceptional value and meticulous craftsmanship.

The advantages of this product series over conventional offerings include “low wear, low vibration, low noise, high heat dissipation, high thermal capacity, excellent stability, sharp imaging, and extended service life.” Furthermore, we have provided detailed explanations and answers regarding two key concerns—“product quality” and “service life.” With robust safeguards in place—including standardization, streamlined manufacturing processes, automated production, and scalable management—the two products recently launched by ZhiShu achieve a quality pass rate exceeding 90%. In terms of service life, ZhiShu has successively mastered cutting-edge technologies such as design‑simulation, femtosecond laser machining for bearings, ultra‑hard wear‑resistant coatings, and liquid‑metal anti‑spillover techniques. Corresponding tests were conducted in accordance with the “X‑ray Tube Life‑Test Method,” and reliability studies were carried out using a mix of abdominal, head, and joint scanning parameters on the accompanying CT system. Currently, the average operational lifespan of these systems exceeds 400,000 seconds.

He stated that 2022 was a year of “leapfrog development” for Zhisu Technology, adding that, across all eras, the Zhisu team has always believed that quality and reputation are enduring values. Looking ahead, Zhisu Technology will continue to build a robust product R&D system, stay at the forefront of technological advancement, pursue innovation with relentless dedication, and consistently develop new products, thereby contributing Zhisu’s expertise to achieving domestic substitution in the medical imaging equipment sector.

            Server-side

With customer satisfaction as our goal.

Subsequently, Mr. Ren Guotao, COO of Zhishu Technology, provided a comprehensive overview of the company’s CT tube pricing policy and warranty service model, covering key dimensions such as production capacity, pricing, customer service, and distribution channels. He also addressed audience questions in detail on the spot.

Currently, sales of both CT tube models have officially launched. The ZS502L liquid-metal‑bearing CT tube carries an official price of RMB 300,000, while the ZS302B roller‑bearing CT tube is priced at RMB 110,000. Warranty terms are one year or 200,000 scans—whichever comes first—and customized warranty packages are also available. On the day of the launch event, to express gratitude for the continued attention and support from both new and existing customers, Zhishu Technology prepared ten units of each CT tube model for a limited‑time special‑price pre‑sale, offered to attendees on site and to online viewers watching the live stream. Following the announcement of these prices, the response was overwhelmingly positive.

                  Market-driven

Promoting a New Industry Ecosystem

At the forum, nearly 20 industry leaders delivered insightful presentations—covering cutting-edge trends, policy guidance, and key industry challenges—on topics such as “prospects for the CT imaging sector in the era of advanced technologies,” “the progress of domesticating medical imaging,” and “how 5G-enabled information technologies are bridging institutions and users in the context of new opportunities.” These presentations provided attendees with practical, high‑value insights that will shape the future of the industry.

First, under the theme “Development Needs of CT Systems and Core Components in Precision Medical Imaging under the New Paradigm,” discussions and knowledge sharing covered a range of topics, including the practical clinical applications of CT equipment and X-ray tube core components, emerging trends in liquid-metal‑bearing X‑ray tubes, and investment strategies and considerations in light of evolving medical‑imaging trends. These exchanges aim to foster deeper future collaboration between Zhibu Technology and various stakeholders, jointly advancing the broader medical‑imaging industry.

Forum Guests (from left to right)

Hu Yinfu, CEO of Beijing Zhishu Technology Co., Ltd.

Fu Haihong, Chairperson of the Imaging Technology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and Professor at Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

Zhang Xu, Chairperson of the Clinical Engineering Professional Committee of the Chinese Research Hospital Association and former Dean of the School of Biomedical Engineering at Capital Medical University.

Fu Shinong, President of Sinovision Medical

Xing Zhanfeng, Chief Technology Officer of Kuanteng Medical and General Manager of Radiology Product Development

Li Bo, Partner at Fenggu Capital Management

                        Expert Opinions

Fu Haihong

At present, China has entered the era of precision medicine. In the realm of radiological imaging services, from the perspective of the healthcare delivery system, both the demand side and the supply side must be equally precise. Since 2013, the state has promoted supply-side structural reform; in the medical sector, the core elements—quality, efficiency, and safety—can only be fully realized on the supply side, thereby fundamentally meeting patients’ clinical needs. Since the onset of the COVID‑19 pandemic, the supply of critical components for radiological diagnostic equipment, particularly CT scanners, has become a major industry bottleneck. The state has attached great importance to the research, development, and manufacturing of these core parts. A breakthrough in the key technologies underlying liquid‑metal bearing–based CT X‑ray tubes represents a significant boon for the CT manufacturing industry.

Zhang Xu

Precision medicine relies on precision imaging, which in turn depends on cutting-edge equipment and core components. In China, there are still relatively few teams that excel in the fundamental research underlying these core components. The entrepreneurial R&D journey of ZhiShu vividly exemplifies a sense of national responsibility and patriotic commitment, while also serving as an excellent case study for talent development in higher education. We hope that more outstanding domestic enterprises will join forces to build bridges and platforms for hands-on learning, thereby integrating theoretical instruction with practical training.

Fu Shinong

Due to the high patient volume at private hospitals, the requirements for CT scanners are particularly stringent, especially with regard to the X-ray tube. Meanwhile, in public hospitals—amid the pandemic—increasing patient numbers have raised demands on tube lifespan and placed even higher standards on long-term reliability. For outpatient departments of non‑plain‑scan tertiary hospitals, in addition to meeting diverse and multi‑modal imaging needs, uninterrupted operational performance and robust reliability of the X-ray tube are absolutely critical. Today, as ultra‑high‑end CT systems become more prevalent, the specifications for both the X-ray tube and the high‑voltage generator are continually escalating. We also look forward to forging stronger partnerships with leading domestic component manufacturers, establishing a vertically integrated supply chain that enables deeper collaboration in specialized areas, thereby advancing our efforts toward highly customized solutions.

Xing Zhanfeng

At present, the gap between domestic manufacturers and leading international brands is minimal. In terms of customized services, CT X‑ray tubes now meet basic market requirements for thermal performance and heat capacity. Looking ahead, we hope that more component suppliers will expand the range of options and solutions available to system integrators, enabling them to consistently launch differentiated products, elevate the overall industry standard, and deliver greater value to end users.

Li Bo

As an investor and board member of Zhisu Technology, Fenggu Capital observed during its initial due diligence that Zhisu is a core‑component supplier leveraging electronic technology to serve the healthcare sector—aligning perfectly with our investment criteria in both background and strategic focus. From a market perspective, CT scanner installations exhibit steady year‑over‑year growth and significant room for further expansion. Partnering with Zhisu has also demonstrated to us that a company with strong commercialization capabilities is addressing user needs through superior products, enhanced reliability, and an improved user experience.

              Customer-driven

Building a New Service Model

“How to Build a New Service Model for Imaging Equipment Based on Domestically Produced X-ray Tubes” — Under the second agenda item, the panelists engaged in an in-depth discussion on topics including pain points in the CT tube market, strategies for breaking the impasse in CT tube development, spare-parts supply and support, ways to leverage after-sales maintenance and service to drive the industry, cloud-based service models, the evolution of large-scale imaging equipment, and how third-party service providers can deliver effective end‑user support.

Forum Guests (from left to right)

Ren Guotao, COO of Beijing Zhishu Technology Co., Ltd.

Manager, Haiven Health (Beijing) Medical Technology Co., Ltd.

Zong Xin, General Manager of Beijing Kangdehong Medical Industry Technology Co., Ltd.

Zheng Xiangbin, General Manager of Beijing Hengxin Ruiteng Medical Technology Co., Ltd.

Guo Hailin, General Manager of Beijing Jindao Xingye Medical Technology Co., Ltd.

Zhao Yanhong, General Manager of Zhejiang Ruipai Medical Technology Co., Ltd.

Liu Yajun, Secretary-General of the Medical Device Innovation and Application Branch of the China Association for Medical Device Industry, and former Director of the Medical Engineering Department at the Eighth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital.

                                            Expert Opinion

Master Haiwen

In terms of spare parts support, the CT X‑ray tube is the most critical high‑consumable component, and our service quality and timeliness depend on factors such as the availability, quality, and procurement speed of these parts. Constraints imposed by original equipment manufacturers have severely limited our service response times. However, the emergence of leading domestic suppliers of core components has expanded our options for spare parts, providing robust support for market expansion and customer service.

Zong Xin

As a company providing comprehensive equipment management services to hospitals, we are well positioned to represent and deeply understand hospital needs—yet we require greater choice. The work undertaken by Zhishu empowers the entire medical‑engineering sector with a stronger voice; breakthroughs and innovations in domestically produced critical components are gradually dismantling the technological monopolies that have long constrained the field, helping to alleviate the challenges faced by service personnel and medical engineers, breaking the impasse, and expanding the range of available options.

Zheng Xiangbin

Due to geographical distance, the responsiveness and timeliness of third-party after-sales service have been compromised. To ensure a superior customer experience, we have adopted a cloud‑based service model that leverages remote diagnostics and precise troubleshooting to promptly address user feedback, thereby maintaining high‑quality after-sales support. The same approach applies to components supplied by manufacturers: across the entire value chain—production, deployment, and after-sales—national‑scale sales and market expansion enable every user to receive close, ongoing support and real‑time tracking throughout product use. This, in turn, helps third‑party service providers enhance their efficiency, embodying the “three highs and one low” value proposition of the cloud‑service model in practice.

Guo Hailin

At present, the trend toward diversification, multi-branding, and monopolization in the medical device industry falls short of meeting customer needs. Against the backdrop of the 5G era, a “one headquarters, multiple centers” business model—leveraging the integration of artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things—enables the timely collection of fault information from CT scanners, MRI machines, and other equipment, with real-time transmission to the headquarters’ information center. Supported by big data and AI, this approach extends coverage and services across regions, establishing responsive maintenance facilities in each province and major area. With the backing of core component manufacturers, these three‑party entities can swiftly reach end users and hospitals directly.

Zhao Yanhong

Tier‑III Grade‑A hospitals have enormous demands for patient throughput and radiation exposure, placing extremely rigorous tests on manufacturers’ products. Against this backdrop, domestic component suppliers must leverage superior product quality to gain the trust of all three parties—medical institutions, regulatory bodies, and end users—and clearly communicate the current achievements and clinical outcomes of domestically produced replacement X‑ray tubes. By doing so, they can empower hospitals to deliver more efficient, faster, and higher‑quality care to a greater number of patients.

Liu Yajun

Over the past decade, domestic Class‑III hospitals have progressively replaced imported medical equipment with domestically produced alternatives, which now fully meet the required standards for quality and reliability. Core, critical components have also been gradually localized. It is hoped that domestic manufacturers of core components will flourish, raising the overall industry standard and driving modern medical technology toward broader and more advanced applications.

As the conference drew to a close, partners from across the country shared their attention and support for this new‑product launch event of ZhiShu Technology via video. Amid favorable policies, technological advancements, and growing investor interest, domestic medical imaging equipment manufacturers are ramping up R&D investment in core components, leveraging cutting‑edge technologies such as artificial intelligence to drive innovation, and gradually expanding downstream along the industry chain to offer end‑to‑end solutions. These efforts are steadily bolstering the autonomy and controllability of the industry’s supply chain, accelerating the pace of domestic substitution in the medical imaging sector. ZhiShu Technology remains committed to craftsmanship, anchoring itself in the industry through high quality, robust technology, and exceptional service. On the path of domestic substitution, it continues to empower medical imaging with its best‑in‑class products, forging ahead with unwavering dedication.

About Zhishu
Providing global customers with satisfactory electronic vacuum device products and services.
 

Beijing Zhishu Technology Co., Ltd. is a domestic high-tech enterprise dedicated to the independent research, development, production, and sales of core vacuum electronic components, including CT X-ray tubes. The company has deeply cultivated the field of liquid-metal‑bearing CT tubes, establishing a comprehensive R&D system that covers design, materials, manufacturing, assembly, and reliability testing. It now possesses full capabilities in product development, iterative refinement, and mass production. Since its inception, Zhishu Technology has focused on breakthroughs in key CT tube technologies, building a robust R&D foundation. Furthermore, it has successfully completed pilot production of the first batch of liquid-metal‑bearing CT tubes with proprietary intellectual property rights, establishing a scalable, standardized, and process‑driven manufacturing model. In China’s liquid-metal CT tube sector, the company has made the leap from a “follower” to a “leader.”

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