AngioExpert在中国首次亮相：乐城医院推出无创心脏风险检测

On July 24, 2026, a quiet but profound shift took place in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone. The AngioExpert – a skin fluorescence vascular circulation detector developed by Poland-based Angionica – completed its first clinical application in mainland China at the Boao Yiling Life Care Center. This was not merely the debut of another piece of imported medical equipment. It was the arrival of a technology that promises to change how we think about cardiovascular disease – moving us from reactive treatment to true early prevention.

Cardiovascular disease has long been the leading cause of death in China, with prevalence continuing to rise and increasingly affecting younger populations. Yet our traditional diagnostic tools have a fundamental limitation: they focus primarily on the structure and function of large blood vessels. By the time these tests yield definitive signals, the disease process is often already well advanced.

But what if we could detect dysfunction much earlier – before symptoms appear, before large-vessel damage becomes irreversible? This is where the concept of microcirculation enters the picture. Microcirculation is the terminal network where blood and tissue cells exchange oxygen, nutrients, and waste products. Its dysfunction is an early harbinger of hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerosis, often appearing years before large-vessel pathology becomes detectable. The challenge has always been how to assess microvascular status non-invasively, sensitively, and reproducibly. AngioExpert was designed to solve exactly that problem.

The AngioExpert employs a technology called flow-mediated skin fluorescence (FMSF). Here is the principle in plain language: the device measures the fluorescence signal of NADH – a key coenzyme in cellular metabolism – within skin tissue cells. When microvascular circulation is impaired, the oxygen supply to skin cells changes, and this is reflected in the NADH fluorescence signal. By analyzing these signals, the device can non-invasively diagnose and monitor microcirculatory disorders, metabolic regulation, and diabetes-related vascular complications.

What makes this technology truly remarkable is its simplicity. No skin puncture is required. There is no injection, no topical chemical agent. The patient simply places a sensor gently against the forearm skin. The entire test takes about fifteen minutes. It can be repeated as often as needed, and the results are not significantly affected by individual differences in skin pigmentation or thickness. For patients who dread needles or have difficulty with traditional blood draws, this represents a genuine breakthrough in patient comfort and accessibility.

The device has already received MDR certification from the European Union and has been in use at multiple European clinical institutions. In 2025, it was approved for sale in Taiwan, China, as a Class E (cardiovascular medical science) device. Now, thanks to Lecheng’s “pioneering pilot” policy, it has reached the mainland.

The first patient to experience AngioExpert in mainland China was Mr. Liu, a 56-year-old man. He had been diagnosed with stage 2 hypertension a decade ago and was managing it with oral medication. His previous examinations had revealed elevated lipoprotein(a) and carotid artery plaque formation. He also reported occasional chest tightness.

Mr. Liu’s case is emblematic of a vast population: individuals with known cardiovascular risk factors who are not yet in crisis, but who walk a fine line between stability and progression. The medical team at Boao Yiling Life Care Center, led by Chief Physician Sun Yong, assessed his condition and recommended that he first undergo microvascular assessment using AngioExpert before determining his后续 treatment plan. The test was performed smoothly, and Mr. Liu became the first person in mainland China to have his microvascular health evaluated through this innovative technology.

“This is not just about one patient,” Dr. Sun reflected after the procedure. “It is about establishing a new standard of care – one that looks beneath the surface, literally, to catch disease before it catches us.”

The AngioExpert’s arrival in China was made possible by Lecheng’s unique “pioneering pilot” policy, which allows innovative medical devices already approved by major international regulators to be introduced and used clinically in the pilot zone before receiving full national approval. This policy has transformed Lecheng into a living laboratory for cutting-edge medicine.

Since its establishment, the Lecheng Pilot Zone has introduced over 600特许 pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and specialty foods, benefiting more than 290,000 patients. The zone’s growing集聚效应 reflects a broader vision: to achieve “three synchronizations” – aligning China’s medical technology, equipment, and pharmaceuticals with international advanced standards. The AngioExpert’s successful debut is a vivid demonstration of that vision in action.

As Hainan’s Free Trade Port continues to mature, Lecheng’s role as a gateway for global medical innovation is only set to expand. The future, as I see it, is one where patients no longer have to wait years for life-saving or life-enhancing technologies to cross borders.