14
people
singapore health
noV – DeC 2013
The gadget guy Mr Hanniel Lim switched from clinical work to research, where his love for robotics is put to good use developing rehabilitative devices for patients in need
a
s a ChilD, he was frequently in and out of hospital because of a childhood medical condition. the loving care Mr hanniel lim received there made him want to become a healthcare professional. When he grew up and was offered a scholarship to study physiotherapy in australia, he seized the opportunity. graduating with first-class honours in 2009, Mr lim returned to singapore and started work at the singapore general hospital. Helping patients through research last year, he switched from hands-on clinical work to administration and research. Currently a senior executive from group allied health, Mr lim
believes he can continue helping patients through research. “research can generate new paradigms of thought. singhealth’s researchbased academic Medicine culture encourages research findings to be used in clinical practice. this can mean better, more effective treatments and cost savings for patients,” he said. one example of this is a project he is presently leading – the mobile lumbar traction device (MltD) – an innovation that a team of singhealth physiotherapists and ngee ann polytechnic students developed together to help patients with lower back pain. the device, which helps reduce lower back pain, allows patients to receive physiotherapy on the move. it can be
photos: Jasper yu
By Sol E Solomon
The first prototype of the mobile lumbar traction device – which aids patients with lower back pain – is worn like a backpack so patients can use it while going about their everyday activities.
worn while walking, standing, or going about other everyday activities. the first prototype looks, and is worn, like a backpack. it is an alternative to the heavy traction machine used in hospitals, which needs to be managed by professionals and requires patients to be strapped in.
GadGets today have become incredibly sophisticated, and the healthcare sector can make Greater use of technoloGy to provide better care for patients. Mr Hanniel liM, senior executive, group allied HealtH
the prototype is currently being refined and pared down so that the next, improved version will be smaller, lighter, more wearable, and just as effective. “Because
patients can use the MltD anywhere with minimal help, they do not have to see their physiotherapists as often. this allows them to manage their conditions better and save on consultation costs,” he said. Mr lim, who played “matchmaker” in linking up the project with the polytechnic’s mechanical engineering students, is gathering feedback from hospital volunteers who tried the prototype, so that their views could be incorporated in its development. love for gadgets Currently, Mr lim is also working on another collaboration between singhealth and the polytechnic – a robotics project to develop an exoskeleton to treat tennis elbow, a condition caused by the overuse of arm, forearm and hand muscles. these two projects combine perfectly with his own love of robotics and gadgets, and his desire to help patients. it is no wonder that he has naturally veered towards such research work. he added: “gadgets today have become incredibly sophisticated, and the healthcare sector can make greater use of technology to provide better care for patients.”