Introducing Dr. Lynne Lim, the physician transforming ear tube surgery
- Joe Lim
- Aug 30, 2024
- 3 min read
Dr. Lynne Lim received the 2024 Cartier Women’s Initiative Science & Technology Pioneer Award for her innovation, CLiKX.
Introducing Dr. Lynne Lim, the founder of the medtech business NousQ and the inventor of CLiKX, the inaugural handheld robotic equipment for ear tube surgery.

What effect has receiving the Cartier Women’s Initiative Science & Technology Pioneer Award had on your research and entrepreneurial endeavors?
It has provided NousQ with significant visibility, validation, and a robust, exceptional, and supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem and community. It functions as a significant multiplier and accelerator, unveiling numerous realms previously unimagined.
What is the significance of acknowledging, assisting, and financing women entrepreneurs?
Neglecting women entrepreneurs results in the loss of discoveries and advancements that are often overlooked or disregarded by men. Women's health conditions and particular pain areas can be more effectively handled. Given their role as primary caregivers for both youngsters and the elderly, this facilitates a more sophisticated approach to addressing the concerns of these demographics.
What are the challenges associated with the current surgical approach for glue ear (otitis media with effusion)?
When antibiotics and medicines are ineffective and recurrent otitis media with effusion occurs, surgeons implant a tiny tube, measuring 1–2mm in diameter, into the eardrum to facilitate the drainage of chronic fluid accumulation in the middle ear. The present surgical procedure necessitates numerous microscopic instruments, which the patient may not endure, hence necessitating general anesthesia. When general anaesthesia is required, a pricey operating room setup necessitates substantial staff assistance, along with an expensive surgical microscope to adequately visualize the diminutive ear tubes within the narrow ear canals. These factors lead to elevated costs, prolonged wait times of up to several years, risks associated with general anesthesia, less willingness to pursue treatment, and unfairness stemming from obstacles to getting care.

How can CLiKX succeed in disregarding numerous established protocols?
CLiKX streamlines surgical procedures by amalgamating many technologies into a compact portable device that performs eardrum incisions and implants ear tubes in under one second, activated by a single button press. The incorporation of a proximity indication, sensor, and software application enables the utilization of solely a magnified headlamp, hence eliminating the necessity for a microscope. Robotics and automation exhibit exceptional precision and replicability. The treatment is exceptionally swift—quicker than an injection, Covid swab, or tooth extraction—allowing it to be performed under local anaesthesia.
What is the magnitude of CLiKX's potential influence?
Glue ear is the primary cause of hearing impairment in children. Presently, around 18 million ear tube procedures are performed annually worldwide, although the actual need is projected to be 120 million surgeries. By streamlining surgical procedures, CLiKX can markedly enhance patient accessibility to surgery. Early intervention for hearing loss enables people to hear, learn, and articulate effectively. In the long term, individuals gain more employment and social possibilities, resulting in societal advantages.
What problems did you encounter when creating Clikx and constructing NousQ?
An invasive surgical gadget such as CLiKX necessitates extensive research and development over several years. I commenced this endeavor with my cofounder in 2011. Since that time, there have been more than five significant and twenty minor modifications and enhancements of the gadget. Significant funding and expenditure have been required to advance CLiKX to its current stage. Upon transitioning to private practice in 2014, the challenges intensified due to the significantly reduced support for research inside the private sector. We persevered with assistance from A*STAR and the National Research Foundation. In 2021, we were compelled to spin off our company to secure funding and sustain our operations. Additionally, we needed to examine several factors including as production, clinical trials, regulations, and payment models. The ecosystem of invasive surgical devices is comparatively underdeveloped relative to the West, and investors in this region exhibit greater risk aversion. The reservoir of talent is also diminished. However, Singapore's medtech sector has intensified efforts to assist startups.
Comments