Belun Technology

Belun Technology, established in Hong Kong in 2016, operates in the medical device and health technology sectors, focusing on sleep health. The company was founded by a team of medical-device researchers, with Lydia Leung serving as the CEO. Dr. Leung holds an MPhil and PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and previously worked at the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) for 11 years, specializing in converting research into commercial products. Her motivation to co-found Belun stemmed from recognizing the high number of undiagnosed cases of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and its link to chronic diseases like hypertension and cardiovascular issues.

The company's core offering is the Belun Sleep System, which features the Belun Ring, a medical-grade wearable device designed for home use. The system targets medical and healthcare professionals, providing a convenient and accurate method for screening and diagnosing sleep disorders. A key milestone was achieved in February 2023, when the Belun Sleep System received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), making it the first wearable ring with AI cleared for OSA diagnosis. The business model involves selling the Belun Ring at a low initial cost, supplemented by a required monthly subscription for each device which provides access to the AI-powered analysis and reporting platform.

The Belun Ring is worn on the finger during sleep and monitors several physiological parameters, including blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), pulse rate, and motion. This data is then analyzed by the company's proprietary AI algorithms on a cloud-based platform to generate a detailed sleep health report, which estimates the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and sleep stages. This approach provides a more comfortable and accessible alternative to traditional, in-lab polysomnography tests. Beyond sleep apnea diagnosis, the company has developed the Belun remoVital system for real-time remote monitoring of vital signs. Belun has established a global presence, deploying its system in multiple countries, including the US and across Asia, and has formed partnerships with global sleep labs and universities to advance research.

Keywords: medical-grade wearable, sleep apnea diagnosis, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, home sleep test, FDA 510(k) clearance, AI health platform, remote patient monitoring, vital signs monitoring, biomedical signal processing, digital health, sleep health, chronic disease management, cardiovascular health, wearable sensor, Belun Ring, healthcare data analytics, preventive healthcare, medical device, photoplethysmography, SpO2 monitoring