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CONCORD, Mass. - Hong Kong's largest school of nursing is using SolidWorks(r) three-dimensional computer-aided design (3D CAD) and COSMOSFloWorks(tm) fluid analysis applications to develop equipment for testing blood sugar levels over a Telehealth System that links remote areas with the school's satellite health station, SolidWorks announced today. Students and researchers at the School of Nursing use SolidWorks and COSMOSFloWorks software to design and test a blood glucose meter that sends information from remote sites to the university via telephone lines or the Internet. The meter, which was developed as part of a graduate research project, will be one of the diagnostic tools in the Telehealth System developed by the School of Nursing and its parent institution, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is using more than 400 seats of SolidWorks for instruction in eight different departments. Designers model the blood meter's enclosure in SolidWorks, then simulate the flow of blood through the enclosure with COSMOSFloWorks. SolidWorks and COSMOSFloWorks enable the School to test and refine several different designs before committing to expensive physical prototyping, keeping costs down and speeding the design process. "We have explored the use of other modeling software but found it didn't have SolidWorks' and COSMOSFloWorks' precision when we were designing and testing the mechanical parts in the analysis equipment," said Pony Ma, the School of Nursing's scientific officer. "SolidWorks' 3D animation and dimension control are also superior to anything else we've seen, and we like the fact that SolidWorks is a standard in 3D design technology." Nursing students participate in clinical tests for the blood testing equipment, and also provide on-site training and education. The School of Nursing offers diploma and degree programs, master's and doctoral degrees, and conducts product development research for The Hong Kong Polytechnic University's Centre for Telehealth and Telecare. SolidWorks reseller Intelligent CAD/CAM Technology Limited in Hong Kong worked with the School to deploy SolidWorks and COSMOSFloWorks. "The School of Nursing is a good example of an organization that needs advanced design and testing capabilities without a lot of expense and complexity," said Ved Narayan, director of Asia Pacific operations for SolidWorks. "Our software lets them focus the majority of their energy on expanding their equipment's functionality and a minimal amount learning how to use the design technology."