Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) has for long occupied a pride of place among research and clinical care centres in the country. True to its reputation, the institute has now come up with a string of cost-effective medical devices that could revolutionise the way high-end healthcare is provided to the commoners in India.
The devices, all products of the innovative genius of the scientists and medical practitioners at the institute, were formally launched at the Industry- Innovator Meet, Medical Technology Expo and ‘Technology Conclave 2019’ organised by the Sri Chitra Institute at Thiruvananthapuram recently. Key among the devices that has hit the market is the Isothermal-based DNA amplification device, developed to detect TB bacterium in sputum samples in less than 30 minutes.
The device can simultaneously screen 20 patient samples in one assay and at a considerably lower cost than the existing devices, which costs approximately Rs. 2500 a sample. Preliminary data from application of the device shows that this device has high sensitivity and specificity (low false positives and false negative results) as compared to the currently used CB-NAAT technology.
There are TB detection devices that are currently used in a specialized laboratory conditions, but there is an essential need for a highly sensitive TB detection device at the peripheral centres. The Sri Chitra device will help in mass screening at a substantially low cost. The device presents a breakthrough in the diagnosis of Tuberculosis and the technology has been patented by SCTIMST.
A second technology launched the expo was the Vein Viewer developed by SCTIMST and manufactured by M/s Agappe Diagnostics Ltd, Kochi. The technology was transferred to Agappe Diagnostics last year. The hand held Vein Viewer helps to identify the location of peripheral veins for injection that is particularly difficult in small children and in the ICUs.
Device for viewing the veins prior to injections can improve the outcome by helping the healthcare professionals to insert the needle to the correct vein. The Chitra Vein Viewer is an easy-to-operate portable and battery-operated device that can precisely locate the position of veins to avoid multiple pricks and to get maximum benefit out of the injection.
Bioactive Bone Cement and Calcium Phospho-silicate Composite Granules was relaunched at the expo. Bioactive Bone Cement is a patented bioactive formulation of calcium sulphate and phosphate. It is packed as powder-liquid combination which forms a self-setting putty upon mixing useful for filling bone defects. The bioactive and resorbing properties enable the remodelling of the bone and faster healing of the defects. ‘BioCaS’, as it has been named, is an affordable product which could be used as a bone defect filler in orthopaedics and dentistry.
Calcium Phospho-silicate Composite Granules technology offers synthetic bone graft substitute in fine granule form based on calcium-phospho-silicate composite. High bioactivity and osteo- conductivity are the special properties of this indigenous composite prepared in porous ceramic form. The fine granules of the composite are ideal for grafting periodontal infra-bony defects in dentistry.
The other new technologies that were formally transferred to the industry included a TB Screening Device and PT/INR Monitoring Device to Agappe, Paracorporeal Left Ventricular Assist Device to Meril Life sciences, Injectable hydrogel for cartilage repair and Lint free absorbent wound dressing to Phraction Scientifics, and SCTAC2010: drug conjugated serum albumin to Eight Oaks Bio.
PT/INR Monitoring Device is a point of care, battery-operated hand held device for easy measurement of blood parameters carried out with a single drop of finger prick blood applied on a disposable strip. The test of PT/INR in lab will be between Rs 200 and Rs 300. The Paracorporeal Left Ventricular Assist Device device is a third generation device that can be used for supporting the heart, as a “Bridge to Recovery” after surgeries or “Bridge to Transplantation” used while awaiting a donor heart for cardiac transplantation. The device has a pump, controller and battery packs and necessary accessories for supporting the heart for days to few weeks.
The Injectable hydrogel for cartilage repair is used for micro fracture surgery to aid quick and easy repair of damaged cartilages in joints. The gel can also be used as a vehicle to transport cartilage producing cells to the site.
Lint free absorbent wound dressing developed in the Institute is made of materials that don’t shed lint into the surgical site, has high fluid holding capacity and fast wicking properties for management of low to moderately exudating wounds. SCTAC2010: is a product which comprises anticancer/anti-inflammatory drug conjugated to human serum albumin It is an intravenous delivery system, enabling 100 fold increase in drug bioavailability.
Clinical trials in humans have to be completed and results assessed as the ensuing steps towards commercialization.
The Institute also conducted the technology relicensing of Poly Viny Alcohol (PVA)Sponge and Hydrocephalus Shut to M/s Konikkara Industries and M/s Phraction Scientifics Ltd respectively. PVA sponge is a synthetic sponge designed for tissue manipulation or absorbing fluid quickly from surgery sites. Hydrocephalus shunt is a device used to drain abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the brain to other areas in the body, typically abdominal cavity.
SCTIMST combines specialized medical care with development of medical devices and biomaterials, and provides training in advanced medical specialties, public health and biomedical engineering to a talented bunch of future medical professionals. The Biomedical Technology Wing (BMT Wing) at Sri Chitra has been established with the objective of promoting biomedical sciences and technology. The institute hosts a technology business incubator, TIMed, for fostering start-ups in the medical devices segment.
The BMT Wing has advanced facilities for the development and evaluation of medical devices and biomaterials. Selected testing services are accredited by NABL, India and COFRAC, France. The Institute holds 110 patents and 51 technologies have been transferred to industries during the last four decades.
The institute’s first technology partner, Terumo Penpol, is one of the largest producers of blood bags in Asia and, together with the other industrial partners, is making more than 50 million bags annually, exporting to more than 70 countries. The premier product of the institute, the mechanical heart valve has crossed 120,000 implantations since 1990.
Various mission mode R& D projects and programmes are going on at the Technical Research Centre (TRC) for Biomedical Devices, which is a program funded by Department of Science and Technology since 2016 for 5 years. The focus areas are cardiovascular devices, neuro-prosthetic devices, hard tissue devices, diagnostics and biological and combinational products.
