SCTIMST announces transfer of five medical device technologies to industry
The Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) here has transferred five medical device technologies developed by its scientists to the industry as part of its commitment to contribute to indigenous medical device development in the country.
Announcing the details of the technologies transferred this year, Harikrishna Varma, head, BioMedical Technology wing, SCTIMST, said here on Monday that the institute had a long history of technology transfers and commercialisation of medical devices and biomaterials.
Deep Brain Stimulator (DBS), for managing movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease and dystonia, is one of the prime biomedical innovations that the SCTIMST has come out with this year. The project was initiated with support from the Technical Research Centre of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, in close technical collaboration with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. The team has successfully realised the proof of concept for an indigenous DBS system, tailored to national health-care needs.
The technology is now being transferred to Shree Pacetronix Limited.
This collaborative achievement aims at delivering affordable, high-quality neurostimulation solutions, reducing reliance on imported systems and paving the way for self-sustained medical advancements in the country, Dr. Varma said.
Subdural electrodes
The same team from the BioMedical Technology wing has also been involved in the indigenous development of intracranial and subdural electrodes. Intracranial and subdural electrodes are critical tools in neurology, which are essential for electrocorticography and targeted cortical stimulation. But globally sourced electrodes are prohibitively expensive, limiting access in many parts of the world.
The technology is now being transferred to Synapticore Technologies Private limited, New Delhi, thus enabling scalable, cost-effective solutions in neuro-intervention.
The prototype of 'Mice Transfer and Enrichment Box-Tunnel System with securing gates,' one of the technologies transferred to M/s Citizen Industries, Ahmedabad, helps in handling laboratory mice with ease so that the animals remain stress-free. Laboratory mice constitute over 87% of the total laboratory animals used in research. Avoiding stress during handling is a scientific requirement as the data produced from stress-free rodents can be precise and authentic.
Plasma fractionation
Yet another technology developed by the SCTIMST is the small-scale fractionation of plasma to obtain four plasma proteins—fibrinogen, thrombin, albumin, and immunoglobulin. The technology has immense potential as all four plasma proteins have specific functions and separating these from plasma can help in various applications. Fibrinogen and thrombin, when mixed in a specific concentration, can help in blood clotting and can be used for the preparation of wound-healing matrices, tissue adhesives and haemostats. Albumin is used in replacement therapy in cases where blood volume loss occurs and also in liver diseases and cancer. Two main uses for Intravenous Immunoglobulin are as replacement therapy in primary or acquired antibody deficiency disorders and as immunomodulatory agents in patients with autoimmune or inflammatory conditions. The technology was transferred to Synapticore Technology Pvt Ltd.
Chitosan-based antioxidant polymeric wound dressings for controlled antibiotic delivery is another innovation being released this year. Chitosan-based sponge developed here is an advanced wound care material intended for treating chronic and infected wounds. This material possesses good absorbent properties, and can deliver drugs to the wounds directly for a period of 48 hours. This dressing can be beneficial for faster wound healing. The technology has been transferred to Vranova Biotech, Mumbai.
The SCTIMST has also completed a Proof of Concept project at the Calibration Cell, SCTIMST, for the development and standardisation of in-house Reference Biomaterials, for meeting the regulatory requirements in biocompatibility evaluations, as per international standards ISO 10993.
In collaboration with CSIR-NPL, which is the measurement standards laboratory of India, the SCTIMST hopes to address the regulatory requirements of the medical device development industry by providing apex-level standards as Certified Indian Reference Materials, for which the proposed trade name is Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya.
The institute has to its credit 90 Technology Transfers. It holds 248 Indian patents, 28 foreign patents and 84 design registrations.
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