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Elizabeth Cheung

A five-minute check in an optical store with a camera that photographs the back of the eye will soon be available to assess customers for stroke risk.
The technology has been developed at Chinese University as part of its initiative to apply research knowledge to daily life.
Images from a fundus camera, a device commonly used by optometrists, is used to analyse the condition of blood vessels and other structures in the eyes.
The technology was invented in 2012 and will be extended by a start-up firm supported by the university for wider use in up to 20 branches in an optical chain in the coming two months.
Give Hong Kong start-ups what they really need: an environment to grow and realise their ideas
“People now have to wait a long time to receive check-ups in hospitals or clinics. Who wants that? We need places that are convenient,” said Professor Benny Zee Chung-ying, head of the university’s biostatistics division, who led the project’s development.
During the process, retinal images are captured and uploaded to a cloud server database. The system analyses the photo and determines whether the stroke risk is low, moderate or high.
The optical shop suggests a list of partner doctors or health clinics for customers at higher risk.
“We hope to help those who are the only breadwinners at home but don’t realise they are among the high-risk group, and detect the risk earlier,” said Zee.
Optometrists in collaborating shops would be trained to understand and present stroke information to clients.
While it costs several thousand dollars for an MRI scan, the usual way to assess stroke risk, Zee estimated a check-up using his invention would be less than HK$1,000.
Can Hong Kong start-ups change the city’s fortunes?
Zee and his team are now working to detect heart and kidney diseases using the same method.
The entrepreneurial effort was among 60 projects developed by the university’s alumni, students and teachers and showcased at its Entrepreneur Day to encourage a culture of developing new ideas.
Kin Lee Kin-keung, who invented a mobile app to help users find a spot to recharge their dying phones or tablets, proved that inventions could be inspired by daily experience.
Is it necessary for everyone to own a power bank? Why create so much electronic waste?
Kin Lee Kin-keung, mobile app inventor
Lee, a biochemistry graduate who now runs a gift company, noticed that many of his customers ordered power banks as gifts.
“Is it necessary for everyone to own a power bank? Why create so much electronic waste?” said Lee, who invented the app with two company colleagues, Derek Lam Kin-hang and Fred Mok Kin-fung.
“We could share resources instead of each of us having one,” he said, adding that power banks usually only lasted for two years.
Launched last month, the app tells users which cafes, shopping malls or shops nearby provide charging services, either in the form of power sockets or power bank rental services.
Professor Tsui Lap-chee, president of the Academy of Sciences of Hong Kong, said there had not been enough support in the city for innovation and technology. He said public money spent on research and development accounted for 0.4 per cent of GDP – half that of developed countries.
Professor Joseph Sung Jao-yiu, the university’s vice chancellor, said more opportunities should be given to students to pursue innovations.
He said courses on entrepreneurship, including concepts of intellectual property and business start-ups, would be introduced in all undergraduate programmes in the coming school year.
Speaking about his plans to leave the university’s top job before his term ends in 2018, the gastroenterologist asked the public not to read too much into his departure.
“Medical work is my favourite job. I hope to get back to the field while I am still capable,” said Sung.


Theory into reality: Hong Kong researchers devise five-minute optical test for stroke risk

Professor Benny Zee demonstrates how the imaging system works. Photo: David Wong

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Chinese University holds Entrepreneur Day to encourage a culture of developing new ideas
