
GGH professor Dr Sumita Shankar bags design patent for novel device
This is the first device in India to secure the Design Registration Certificate from the Indian patent office.
The innovative medical device, the 'Negative Pressure Based Limb Decongestion Sleeve" offers a new approach to treating to treat swelling in limbs, venous congestion, and complex wounds.
Its primary objectives are to reduce swelling through controlled negative pressure, improve blood circulation, and accelerate wound healing. Co-invented by Dr. Krithi Nandoori, Dr. Shankar designed this device as a cost-effective, patient-friendly solution accessible for both rural and urban healthcare settings.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sumita Shankar said that this recognition is not just about design protection—it's about opening new possibilities in wound care. 'Our goal is to provide accessible solutions for patients who need them the most,' said Dr Shankar.
The design is protected under the Designs Act, 2000, for 10 years, with the possibility of extension up to 15 years. This grants the inventors exclusive rights to further develop and commercialize the device. The team now plans to expand its reach through clinical validation, academic publications, and collaborations. Dr Sumita Shankar is HoD of plastic surgery department at Govt General Hospital (GGH), Guntur.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and
silver prices
in your area.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
In light of Ahmedabad school stabbing, experts push for school counsellors to tackle teen aggression
Ahmedabad: The incident at Seventh Day Adventist Higher Secondary School has once again put the spotlight on the issue of aggression and impulsive behaviour among children and teens, said experts. While not all cases result in an act of assault, the number of children and teens brought for counselling has increased in the past few years, they added. Dr Punita Grover, a psychiatrist in Ahmedabad working closely with children and teens, says the recent incident underlines the issue of emotional control and anger management. "We see several cases of anger among children, and such cases come to a medical setting only after a certain level of aggravation. Such cases have increased in the past few years due to multiple factors ranging from exposure to social media to emotional and physical changes experienced due to hormonal changes in the teenage years," she said. She added that the suggestion of having a psychologist or counsellor at the school level could be one way to address the issue, where early signs can be identified and the children can be provided timely intervention. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad | Gold Rates Today in Ahmedabad | Silver Rates Today in Ahmedabad Experts said that it is not just about assault; it often manifests as abusive behaviour, bullying, or even self-harm. Dr Ajay Chauhan, superintendent of the Govt Hospital for Mental Health, said that the number of children and teens brought daily for counselling is around 15. "The number has increased in the past few years. The issue often lies in low level or lack of self-control and understanding of repercussions. Sometimes they lack emotional maturity, and thus regular interaction by parents, teachers, and mentor figures can help," he said. "Children today are exposed to imagery of bravado and violence, and minors are often consumed by it. Compared to a decade ago, children today also experience isolation. The issue of verbal and physical violence is multi-faceted and cannot be explained in simplistic terms. Several schools today have counsellors who are experts in addressing child and teenage issues, which is a welcome step," he said. Experts say there are several signs of emotional angst, ranging from preferring isolation, lack of social interaction, loss of appetite, getting triggered by relatively smaller issues, increased screen time, and overall disinterest in studies or other activities. Identifying these can be the first step towards understanding the turmoil. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Mizoram's hypertension, overweight rates outpace nat'l figures: Survey
Aizawl: In a concerning revelation, the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 has highlighted that Mizoram's population is grappling with higher-than-average rates of overweight individuals and hypertension, surpassing national figures. According to the survey conducted between 2019 and 2021, 31.9% of males and 24.2% of females in Mizoram are classified as overweight, a statistic that has raised alarms among health officials. Dr Lily Chhakchhuak, the mission director of the state's National Health Mission (NHM), shared these findings during a two-day workshop on cardiovascular diseases in Aizawl. The event, organised by the Mizoram Health Systems Strengthening Project , aimed to equip healthcare professionals from govt-run health centers with the necessary skills to tackle these growing health issues. The survey also revealed that 33.6% of males and 23.4% of females in Mizoram suffer from hypertension, while 17.3% of males and 15.2% of females are diabetic. Dr Chhakchhuak emphasised the need for early detection of cardiovascular diseases, given the high prevalence of these conditions in the state. Highlighting the global impact of cardiovascular diseases, she noted that in 2022, 19.8 million people worldwide died from such conditions, accounting for 35% of total deaths. In 2021, cardiovascular diseases were responsible for 38% of deaths among individuals under 70 years of age. The workshop underscored the importance of continuous education for healthcare professionals, facilitated through the Clinical Knowledge & Skill Improvement app and various skill workshops. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.


Mint
2 hours ago
- Mint
RIL arm Strand pushes into genetic wellness testing
If you are someone with genetic or lifestyle factors putting you at risk of heart disease, diabetes or cancer, chances are you get an annual blood check-up done regularly. Five years from now, you may add an annual genomic test to detect risks like these before they hit you. That is the dream and intent, Ramesh Hariharan, director and chief executive of Reliance Industries Ltd-backed genomics firm Strand Life Sciences told Mint. Earlier this month, Strand launched NutriDNA, a genetic test that helps modulate your diet based on the genetic make-up. It analyses traits across areas like vitamin metabolism, food sensitivities, weight management, fitness performance, inflammation, and sleep patterns. This is the first nutrition-based genetic test by Strand, and the company is looking at expanding the basket of products for nutrition, gut and skin health. Read more: Rahul Matthan: Indian genes could save the world from rare diseases The response to the NutriDNA test has been better than any product launched by the company in the past, Hariharan told Mint. Priced at ₹18,500 (with an introductory offer of ₹12,500), the test is still expensive compared to a blood test or a full-body health check that might cost anywhere between ₹500 and ₹2,000. However, these tests are a means to engage with a larger set of consumers and get them comfortable with genomics, so they can eventually opt for more life-saving tests, like for early cancer detection, according to Hariharan. 'Our experience is that the consumer in general, before they confront questions of life and death, would like to engage with things that are less serious," said Hariharan. Genomic testing involves analyzing or sequencing a person's DNA to identify genetic changes that can help diagnose or screen for various cancers, rare diseases, genetic conditions and neurological disorders, among other things. In India, genomic testing is largely used for diagnosing rare diseases, or testing the risk and recurrence factors of cancer. While Strand is still largely engaged with medical practitioners and prescribed tests, the Reliance subsidiary expects a significant ramp-up in direct-to-consumer tests starting FY27 and FY28. Wellness-based preventive tests still make up only a fraction of Strand's overall testing. The company clocks tens of thousands of prescribed tests annually, Hariharan had told Mint in an earlier conversation. For this year, Strand anticipates wellness tests to be in the hundreds per month. This is likely to increase tenfold by FY27, Hariharan said. '...In 10 years time, we see an overwhelming fraction of our revenue coming from the preventive and wellness space," said Hariharan. A growing market Other genomic testing players in India like MedGenome and Mapmygenome, as well as diagnostic players like Metropolis Healthcare also offer an array of wellness genetic tests as well. 'Individuals are going beyond annual check-ups to understand health risks on a deeper level, based on their genetic susceptibility to diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other chronic illnesses," Ramesh Menon, director, genomic medicine and personal genomics at MedGenome, told Mint. Read more: Healthcare for all: India could lead by shaping the future of AI and biotech MedGenome offers tests for heart health, metabolic health, neurological health, cancer risk detection, as well as for improving longevity through its platform Genessense. Metropolis, India's second-largest diagnostic lab chain, has developed in-house capabilities for genomics and offers two preventive tests for early cancer screening and cardiac wellness. 'There is a distinct shift in focus from reactive to proactive healthcare. Increasingly, health-conscious individuals are seeking personalised insights into their genetic predispositions, particularly for lifestyle and chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and certain cancers," Kirti Chadha, chief scientific and innovation officer, Metropolis, told Mint. Affordability increasing The Indian genomics testing market was valued at $593 million in 2023. This is projected to grow to $2 billion by 2030, according to industry estimates. A key factor increasing accessibility to genomic testing is the fall in prices. Prices have fallen by 50% in the last five years. This means a wider pool of patients can access these tests, and not just for rare and specialised diseases. While costs for some tests can still go up to ₹1 lakh and more, wellness-based tests are priced around ₹10,000 - 20,000. Firms are exploring partnerships with corporates that offer wellness checkups as well as digital health platforms to offer these. MedGenome's tests are available on Tata 1mg. Strand is exploring partnerships with digital health platforms, corporate firms as well as with fitness platforms. However, healthcare professionals caution against unsupervised use of these tests. 'The flip side is I may overinterpret it, I may use Google or ChatGPT to interpret it, it could lead to unnecessary stress or anxiety," Dr Shrinidhi Nathany, consultant for molecular hematology and oncology at Fortis Hospital Gurgaon, told Mint. Companies like Strand and MedGenome connect users to genetics experts - certified paramedical practitioners - who offer counselling and help users interpret the tests correctly. Read more: Gene editing: Is humanity ready to rewrite the book of life?