Under the direction of Founder and CEO Lynne Lim, NousQ is revolutionizing the treatment of middle ear infections with CLiKX, a novel robotic handheld device designed to make effective care accessible to patients worldwide. This innovative device reimagines treatment by reducing the need for complex surgical infrastructure and general anesthesia, bringing a much-needed solution to millions of patients in both developed and developing regions.
The inspiration for CLiKX arose during a pivotal moment in Lim’s career while on a humanitarian mission in Cambodia. As part of a surgical outreach program, Lim performed free surgeries for children, including the removal of a large neck tumor using only local anesthesia. However, an encounter with hundreds of children suffering from middle ear infections left a profound impact on her.
“These kids had trekked for days over mountains to see me, thinking I could help them,” Lim recalled. “But without an operating theater, general anesthesia, and the specialized equipment required for the procedure, I couldn’t do a thing for them. It was heartbreaking to turn them away.”
This experience catalyzed Lim’s determination to develop a solution. “I realized there had to be a way to make the procedure simpler, more accessible, and affordable,” she explained. Inspired by the efficiency of an ear-piercing gun and driven by the need she witnessed firsthand, Lim founded NousQ and created CLiKX, a device designed to revolutionize the treatment of middle ear infections.
Ear tube placement is a frequently performed surgical procedure, often recommended for individuals suffering from chronic middle ear infections. While the procedure is widely performed, it requires access to an operating room, general anesthesia, and costly surgical equipment like microscopes and fine instruments. These requirements can make the procedure inaccessible for patients in resource-limited settings.
Although ear tube surgery is commonly associated with children, adults also make up a significant portion of those requiring treatment. “Many people think this is primarily a pediatric issue,” Lim noted. “But in reality, for every million children receiving the surgery, there are a million adults having the surgery. Although the problem is more common in children, there are just as many adults needing the surgery.”
The high resource demands of the traditional approach create significant barriers—particularly in rural or underserved areas where the necessary infrastructure is lacking. Patients in these regions are often left untreated, while providers face logistical and cost-related constraints in delivering care. NousQ aims to overcome these hurdles by offering a streamlined, portable, cost-effective alternative to traditional ear tube surgery, expanding access to this critical intervention.
The CLiKX device revolutionizes ear tube surgery by offering a handheld solution that reduces the need for general anesthesia, a surgical microscope, and a fully equipped operating room.
“It’s a bit like a gun,” Lim explained. “I hold it in my hand, bring it close to the eardrum, and a proximity indicator guides me to the eardrum. Once positioned, I click a button, and the device does the rest.” The shaft of the device extends automatically and inserts the ear tube with precision, using pre-programmed settings tailored for different eardrum angles for different patients.
The process is remarkably fast and simple. “With this one click, the tube is inserted within a second,” Lim shared. “It’s quicker and less painful than a vaccination. For some adults, we don’t even need local anesthesia.”
This innovation not only removes the need for cumbersome surgical setups but also dramatically expands access to treatment. “The device enables ear tube surgery outside the operating theater, making it suitable for developed countries and, critically, for under-resourced regions,” Lim said.
NousQ has made significant strides toward bringing CLiKX to market. “Our trials in ASEAN have demonstrated 100% safety and more than 95% success rates,” said Lim. “This year, we’re targeting regulatory approval in Singapore and preparing to launch pivotal trials in the United States.”
The company has also built a global network through accelerator programs and industry competitions, such as the Medtronic APAC Challenge and the MedTech Innovator APAC Challenge. “These opportunities have connected us with clinicians, hospitals, and key stakeholders, allowing us to establish excellent networks,” Lim noted.
With $5.75 million of its $6.5 million pre-Series A funding round secured, NousQ is well-positioned to advance regulatory submissions and initiate U.S. trials. “As we prepare for our next phase of growth, we’re excited to engage with partners and investors who share our vision of transforming ear tube surgery,” Lim added.
Ear operations are the most common ear, nose, and throat (ENT) procedure performed worldwide. Within the wider ENT procedure market, procedures performed on and in the ear account for approximately 33.9% of total global ENT procedures.
According to LSI’s Global Surgical Procedure Volumes database, 5.6 million operations of the ear were performed in 2024. Myringotomies and tympanoplasties account for a large proportion of these procedures.
From 2024 to 2029, LSI projects that these procedures will increase at a healthy CAGR of 3.3%, reaching 6.6 million procedures by 2029.
The prevalence of chronic (i.e., recurrent) ear infections is a significant driver of procedure utilization and growth. According to the clinical literature evaluating the burden of chronic ear infections, 31 million cases occur each year. Being able to democratize this procedure to the millions of patients suffering from chronic ear infections each year represents not only a major improvement in patient quality of life but also a significant step forward in reducing preventable hearing loss.
Lim has been selected to present at LSI Asia '25 (June 10-13) in front of hundreds of global medical technology companies. Join us in welcoming Lim to the event in Singapore, where she will share the latest updates on NousQ’s technology and development.
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