All this week, MedicalExpo is at Arab Health. Arab Health, held annually in Dubai, is one of the world’s leading trade shows for healthcare. For the 2025 edition, nearly 4,000 exhibitors and more than 60,000 visitors are expected. During the fair, MedicalExpo is on the ground, searching for the most exciting technologies. Here are six products that we have selected so far.
Emmanuelle Roux contributed to this report.
SIGNA Champion MRI Scanner by GE Healthcare
The new SIGNA Champion MRI, developed by GE Healthcare, is a cutting-edge imaging system designed to enhance efficiency, patient comfort, and diagnostic accuracy. This latest innovation focuses on three key pillars:
Faster Scanning and Improved Efficiency
The MRI reduces scanning time by 30%, increasing the number of scans performed daily. This improvement is powered by advanced AI algorithms, which optimize image processing and streamline workflow. GE Healthcare has also integrated 56 FDA-approved AI applications into its MRI machines, ensuring state-of-the-art automation and precision.
Enhanced Patient Comfort
The MRI system features ergonomic coils that resemble a soft mattress or blanket, improving comfort, particularly for infants and sensitive patients. The patient experience is a top priority, with less restrictive and more adaptable positioning to reduce anxiety and discomfort.
First-Time-Right Imaging for Accurate Diagnosis
The first-time-right approach minimizes the need for repeat scans, leading to better clinical outcomes and increased operational efficiency. The MRI system covers multiple specialties, including lung, brain, and cardiac imaging, with embedded innovations tailored for these areas.
According to Mohammad Elkhoury, General Manager for Saudi and the Middle East at GE Healthcare,
“Our competitive advantage is about the outcome for the patient. If you can scan faster, get it right the first time, and provide a more comfortable experience, these are the three pillars of our competitive edge.”
The SIGNA Champion MRI consumes 35-50% less helium, making it more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. The system ensures ease of use for operators with intuitive controls, standardized scanning sequences, and a quick training process. It has already been installed in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East, delivering significant clinical and economic value to healthcare institutions.
Doctorless Smart Clinic by Doctory
The Smart Health Doctorless Clinic by Doctory is an innovative solution designed to revolutionize healthcare accessibility. Created by a UAE-based company, this prototype extends hospital and clinic services to underserved areas such as malls, remote regions, and tourist zones without significant investment in physical infrastructure. The clinic allows patients to access healthcare services without the physical presence of a doctor.
The system consists of a chair equipped with essential medical devices to measure vital signs, including blood pressure, weight, pulse oximetry, temperature, and blood sugar. Advanced tools include an ECG with a stethoscope, an otoscope for ear and throat examinations, and plans to integrate ultrasound soon. Patients can consult remotely with a human doctor via a built-in screen, supported by AI to assist with basic tasks like taking vital signs.
All data collected is immediately sent to the hospital’s Health Information System (HIS) and is not stored on the device. Hygiene is ensured through built-in UV light and fog sterilization, which clean the equipment after each session.
For Osama Chamsi Pasha, Chief Operation Officer at Doctory,
“We identified a gap in the market for a product that allows hospitals and clinics to extend their presence to malls and remote areas. This doctorless smart clinic enables doctors sitting in a main hospital to have full access to patients remotely without requiring a physical practitioner.”
The company already has customers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE and expects installations in tourist areas and malls by March.
Portable Defibrillator for EMS Services by SCHILLER
SCHILLER has introduced a small, lightweight, and portable defibrillator designed specifically for emergency medical services (EMS). It ensures rapid response and ease of use in critical situations.
When an EMS team is in the field, the device transmits real-time data directly to the hospital, Yannick HAUDENSCHILD, Product Manager Emergency Care Division at SCHILLER explains:.
“Doctors at the hospital can monitor the situation remotely and provide instant feedback to the EMS team. This feature enhances coordination between field responders and hospital specialists, leading to improved patient outcomes.”
By integrating live monitoring and communication, this defibrillator enhances emergency medical response, making it a powerful tool for pre-hospital care.
Scalp Cooling System for Chemotherapy-Induced Hair Loss by PAXMAN
UK company Paxman has developed scalp cooling technology designed to reduce chemotherapy-induced alopecia. The system includes a compact refrigeration unit connected to a cooling cap worn by the patient. It lowers scalp temperature to 18-22°C, inducing vasoconstriction and reducing blood flow to hair follicles.
For Anna Parker, head of international sales at PAXMAN,
“Since chemotherapy agents travel through the bloodstream, this process minimizes drug exposure to the follicles, helping preserve hair.”
The device is available in two models: a single-patient unit and a dual-patient unit for higher efficiency in clinical settings. It offers three cap sizes to accommodate different head shapes for optimal scalp coverage. The refrigeration unit features an intuitive touchscreen interface in multiple languages for ease of use by nurses and medical staff.
Treatment Protocol and Efficiency
The scalp cooling system involves the patient wearing the cooling cap for 30 to 45 minutes before chemotherapy, throughout the infusion, and for an additional 20 to 90 minutes after treatment, depending on the chemotherapy regimen. The system is designed exclusively for clinical use and is operated by medical professionals to ensure optimal safety and effectiveness.
In terms of efficiency and maintenance, the cooling mechanism continuously circulates coolant through the cap, extracting heat from the scalp to minimize hair loss. The system requires minimal upkeep, as the caps are reusable and follow standard hospital infection control procedures. Additionally, the coolant only needs to be refilled twice a year.
Success rates vary by chemotherapy drug but according to the company, at least 40 to 50% of patients retain the majority of their hair.
Philips IntelliVue Patient Monitor 6000 Series – Regional Launch
At Arab Health, Philips introduced the Philips IntelliVue 6000 Series, a new patient monitoring system designed to deliver flexibility, affordability, and high-quality care. Built on the foundation of Philips’ premium IntelliVue MX Series, this monitor is ideal for hospitals seeking advanced functionality at a more accessible price point.
Key Features & Innovations
The new series comes in three configurations, making it adaptable to various clinical settings. It is available in two screen sizes: a 10-inch display for mobile use and a 15-inch display for high-acuity care areas. The monitor features seamless plug-and-play functionality for advanced parameters such as MicroStream CO₂ and Predictive Temperature.
The monitor is equipped with two flexible link connectors, enabling seamless plug-and-play functionality for advanced parameters such as MicroStream CO₂ and Predictive Temperature. It is also compatible with IntelliVue Plugin Modules, allowing hospitals to expand capabilities with additional parameters like gas monitoring, BIS for brain function assessment, and FloTrac ™ for hemodynamic monitoring.
A key advantage of the IntelliVue 6000 Series is its seamless integration with the Philips IntelliVue Information Center (PIC iX), which ensures centralized patient data management across hospital networks. Despite being a more affordable solution, this monitor runs on the same software and advanced algorithms as Philips’ high-end MX monitors, guaranteeing no compromise in clinical accuracy or performance.
For Roman Pichardo, product manager, another key advantage is its affordability, making it particularly beneficial for the Middle East region.
“This region and others face healthcare challenges, including limited budgets. With this monitor, we provide access to premium patient monitoring at a lower cost.”
Design
The design of the IntelliVue 6000 Series has been recognized with multiple international awards for its modern, sleek aesthetic. The rear of the monitor features a single-piece construction with minimal openings, making it easier to clean and improving infection control. The modular approach allows hospitals to invest in base monitors and add plug-and-play modules as needed, reducing upfront costs while maintaining scalability.
By combining cutting-edge technology, affordability, and ease of use, the Philips IntelliVue 6000 Series brings high-performance patient monitoring to a broader range of healthcare facilities. It is a durable and reliable solution designed to meet the challenges of modern healthcare environments, ensuring that more hospitals can access premium monitoring technology without exceeding their budgets.
Artificial Heart by Bivacor
At the Emirates Health Services booth, an exciting innovation was showcased. This could change the lives of many people with cardiac issues: an artificial heart. This revolutionary heart represents a significant step forward in cardiac care. It offers hope to patients with severe heart failure by providing a reliable, long-term alternative to traditional mechanical support systems.
According to Dr. Omar Alhajri, Family Medicine Resident at the EHS, this innovation is distinct from other mechanical hearts:
“It operates using a new technology called levitation electromagnetic technology, featuring a single motor called a rotor, which functions as a centrifugal impeller to pump blood from the heart throughout the body.”
Unlike conventional artificial hearts that rely on mechanical pumping mechanisms, this device eliminates the risk of mechanical malfunctions. It thus ensures a more reliable and durable solution for patients with end-stage biventricular heart failure.
Structurally, the heart features two tubes through which blood flows, powered by the rotor inside the device. As the rotor moves, it propels blood outward through one tube to circulate throughout the body and through another tube leading to the lungs. Weighing only 79 grams, the device is designed for implantation in both men and women, as well as children. However, its use in infants and newborns is still under research to assess feasibility and safety.
Patients
Currently, this artificial heart has been implanted in six patients as a bridge to transplantation. These patients, whose conditions have not improved with medication therapy, rely on this device while waiting for a suitable donor heart.
Developed by Bivacor, the device is undergoing an FDA-approved early feasibility study to further validate its effectiveness and safety. Additionally, there are ongoing collaborations with the Texas Medical Center to introduce the device to the United Arab Emirates. THe UAE would then be the first country in the Middle East to adopt and implement this pioneering technology.
The next phase of development aims to transition this device from a temporary bridge-to-transplant solution to a permanent heart replacement option.
