Zhishu Technology won the second prize at the 4th China Medical Device Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition.

This competition is themed “Addressing Real-World Needs, Supporting the Translation of Clinical and Academic Research into Practical Applications, and Prioritizing Technological Innovation and Innovative Services.” It aims to drive sustained innovation and development in China’s medical device industry, deepen collaboration across the industry’s research–industry–university–clinical–application–financing–regulatory value chain, and stimulate the creative vitality of enterprises and clinical healthcare professionals. The competition encompasses nine categories, including in vitro diagnostic (IVD) products, high-value consumables and implantable/interventional devices, and large- and medium-sized diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. According to reports, the event has been successfully held three times, attracting 283, 607, and 665 innovative medical device projects under development from both domestic and international sources, respectively. It has drawn participation from more than 1,200 companies, as well as innovation service providers and investment institutions, effectively fostering the growth of innovative medical device projects and accelerating the translation of research outcomes into commercial applications.

This round of the large- and medium-sized medical diagnostic and therapeutic equipment category has advanced to the semifinals, featuring both cutting-edge imaging systems—such as liquid‑helium‑free MRI and full‑ring SPECT‑CT—that epitomize technological trends—and sophisticated oncology treatment platforms and protocols, including MRI‑guided precision minimally invasive therapy systems, CT‑guided tumor ablation systems, phased‑array “magnetic wave knives,” and the ZAP‑X self‑shielding radiotherapy surgical system. Additionally, the lineup includes a series of pioneering international projects in large- and medium‑sized medical devices, such as the world’s first capsule‑type ultrasound endoscopy robot, a focused‑ultrasound cavitation‑enabled intelligent robot, and visible‑light OCT systems, all representing the highest standards of global technological advancement.

As the only core-component project among all entries, ZhiShu Technology Co., Ltd. provided a detailed account of the company’s arduous journey of independent R&D in liquid-metal‑bearing CT tubes and the achievements it has attained, earning unanimous recognition from the judging panel. Following rigorous evaluation and comparative analysis across multiple dimensions—including innovation, project progress, and clinical value—the company distinguished itself with its robust product capabilities and was awarded second prize in the competition.

During the review process, the expert panel engaged in a vigorous discussion on the current state of domestic CT tube development, as well as the issues and challenges it faces. All participants agreed that advancing China’s overall CT‑system technology hinges on overcoming the bottleneck posed by core components such as the CT tube, and that the industry should actively support and encourage enterprises to pursue independent innovation. As domestic CT‑tube technologies and products continue to make steady progress, industry experts have also called for greater national policy support to facilitate the localization of these critical components.

At present, the liquid‑metal‑bearing CT X‑ray tube independently developed and continuously refined by Zhisu Technology represents the most advanced product in the CT tube market and points to the future direction of technological innovation in this field. The company is poised to obtain China’s first registration certificate for a liquid‑metal‑bearing CT tube in the near term, marking a breakthrough from zero in domestically developed, in‑house manufacturing. Compared with conventional ball bearings, liquid‑metal bearings offer distinct advantages: they can substantially enhance the tube’s equivalent thermal capacity, improve heat‑dissipation efficiency, and withstand higher centrifugal accelerations during gantry rotation. Under identical operating conditions, their expected service life can more than double, while also significantly reducing bearing noise during operation.

Adhering to the principles of value accumulation and continuous improvement, Zhisu Technology states that technology is the fundamental endogenous driving force behind development. Moving forward, Zhisu will remain focused on specialized vertical domains, striving to overcome the core technological bottlenecks that constrain industry progress, and building cutting-edge medical devices as national strategic assets, thereby contributing its share to the realization of the “Healthy China 2030” initiative.