Medical Devices and Implants
Patents, Technology Transfers, and Innovations
Centre for Biomedical Engineering | IIT Madras
Bioreactor for Tissue Engineering
Inventors: S. Guhathakurta and V. Balasubramanian
Patent: Indian Patent Application No. 2062/CHE/2013 | Granted Patent No. 510399
This patented bioreactor supports the controlled cultivation of tissue-engineered scaffolds for medical applications. The technology was transferred to M/s Synchromax Biotech Pvt. Ltd., resulting in the commercial product SynchroScaff™, which is currently in production. The inventors receive 0.2 plus 5 percent royalty on sales.
The work received the STEM Impact Awards 2022, recognizing the development and transfer of a fully indigenous scaffold technology. This innovation also led to the establishment of the startup SynkroMax, marking a major step toward affordable regenerative healthcare products in India. The bioreactor enables the creation of high-quality biological scaffolds that support tissue repair and reconstructive surgery.
Polymeric Biomaterial for Dental Applications
Inventors: V. S. Anand and V. Balasubramanian
Patent: Indian Patent Application No. 2709/CHE/2013 | Granted Patent No. 343192 (2023)
This indigenous polymeric biomaterial provides a stable and durable restorative composite for dental care. It offers a cost-effective, locally developed alternative to imported dental materials, improving the accessibility and affordability of dental restorations across India.
Electrophysiological Monitoring Using Dry Electrodes
Inventors: V. Balasubramanian, S. Guhathakurta and S. Robert Rajkumar
Patent: Indian Patent Application No. 940/CHE/2014 | Granted Patent No. 434703 (2023)
This patented system enables gel-free, non-invasive ECG monitoring using dry electrodes placed on non-bony chest regions. It addresses key limitations of traditional ECG systems and supports continuous, population-scale monitoring. The innovation strengthens remote diagnostics and tele-cardiology by enabling portable, reliable, and accessible heart monitoring.
Apparatus and System for Occluding and Opening Blood Vessels
Inventors: V. Balasubramanian, V. B. Narayanamurthy and A. Parikh
Patent Applications: 4165/CHE/2015 and 4166/CHE/2015
This device facilitates controlled occlusion and opening of blood vessels, improving surgical precision and safety during trauma care and microvascular reconstruction. The technology was transferred to Shira Biotech, where it is currently in production. The inventors receive 5 percent royalty on sales.
The device strengthens India’s capability in developing high-quality, indigenous vascular instruments for emergency and surgical procedures.
Engineered Pericardium and Derivatives
Inventors: S. Guhathakurta and V. Balasubramanian
Patent Application: 138/CHE/2014
Status: Not granted due to prior publication from the same research group
This work addressed a critical national gap: India imports all its biological surgical patches. The tissue-engineered pericardial patch developed from this research demonstrates regenerative capability, biocompatibility, and ease of surgical handling. It offers a significantly lower-cost option for cardiac surgery, making life-saving treatment more accessible to patients with limited resources.
SynkroScaff – Tissue Engineered Pericardial Patch
Overview:
SynkroScaff is an indigenous tissue-engineered bovine pericardial patch developed and licensed to SynkroMax Biotech Pvt. Ltd.. It is designed specifically for cardiac surgery and reconstructive procedures, addressing the critical shortage of high-quality biological patches in India.
Function and Clinical Relevance:
The patch provides a scaffold for tissue repair, demonstrating biocompatibility, regenerative properties, and structural integrity. Surgeons can use it for heart valve repair, congenital cardiac defects, and soft tissue reconstruction. By promoting natural tissue integration, it reduces post-operative complications such as graft rejection or delayed healing.
Innovation and Recognition:
Recognized by the STEM Impact Awards 2022, SynkroScaff exemplifies successful translation of academic research into a commercial, clinically valuable product. Its development underscores India’s growing capacity to produce advanced biomaterials locally, reducing dependence on imported surgical patches.
Impact:
Affordable and high-quality, this patch increases access to cardiac surgeries for patients from low- and middle-income backgrounds. The technology also supports research in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
New Indian Express (link)
Shira Clamp
Overview:
The Shira Clamp is a precision microvascular clamp used during vascular anastomosis — a procedure where small blood vessels are connected during surgery. It was developed to simplify complex microsurgical procedures and is licensed to Shira MedTech.
Function and Clinical Relevance:
Microsurgery requires extreme precision to ensure proper blood flow. The Shira Clamp stabilizes vessels, minimizes trauma to the tissue, and reduces operative time. Its ergonomic design improves the safety and effectiveness of vascular surgeries, including reattachment of limbs, organ transplants, and reconstructive procedures.
Innovation and Recognition:
Awarded the National Technology Startup Award 2020, the clamp reflects locally developed, high-precision surgical instrumentation, meeting international surgical standards.
Impact:
Provides hospitals and surgeons with a reliable, cost-effective tool for critical microsurgeries, particularly in centers with limited access to imported surgical instruments.
Shira MedTech Official Site: Shira MedTech
- Microvascular surgical clamp innovations: Shira MedTech Blog
Indigenous Dental Composite
Overview:
A locally developed dental restorative composite that does not shrink upon curing, ensuring long-lasting, pain-free fillings. It serves as an affordable alternative to expensive imported composites.
Function and Clinical Relevance:
Shrinkage in dental composites can lead to gaps, secondary decay, and restoration failure. This indigenous composite maintains dimensional stability and strong adhesion to tooth surfaces. It is suitable for both anterior and posterior restorations, providing durability, aesthetics, and patient comfort.
Innovation and Recognition:
Supports India’s self-reliance in dental biomaterials and reduces the cost of dental care without compromising quality.
Impact:
Improves accessibility to affordable dental treatments across urban and rural India, lowering dependence on imported dental materials.
References:
• Biomaterials in dentistry: NCBI – PMC
Sundaram Beds
Overview::
Sundaram Beds are advanced hospital beds designed for operational efficiency, patient safety, and comfort. Developed by Sundaram Medical Devices, the system integrates storage, mobility, monitoring, and ergonomics.
Function and Clinical Relevance:
These beds reduce hospital footprint, simplify patient handling, and integrate monitoring equipment for critical care. They allow healthcare providers to manage multiple patients efficiently while maintaining safety and comfort.
Innovation and Recognition:
The founder won the Harvard Business School Alumni New Venture Contest (2010) for addressing critical gaps in hospital infrastructure. Sundaram Beds demonstrate innovative design, reducing operational complexity in hospitals while improving patient outcomes.
Impact:
Widely applicable in general wards, ICUs, and emergency care settings, the beds enhance healthcare delivery efficiency in both private and public hospitals.
NOVA – Non-Invasive Vitals Analyzer
Overview:
NOVA is a low-cost, multiparameter patient monitoring system for non-invasive measurement of vital signs. It is designed for hospitals, primary care, and emergency settings.
Function and Clinical Relevance:
NOVA measures heart rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and respiratory rate without invasive procedures. The device supports continuous monitoring, early detection of critical conditions, and remote patient assessment.
Innovation and Recognition:
By integrating affordable sensors and real-time monitoring algorithms, NOVA improves accessibility to advanced healthcare in low-resource environments. It is a model for scalable medical technology in emerging markets.
Impact:
Enables hospitals and clinics to monitor multiple patients efficiently, reduces the need for expensive ICU setups, and improves timely clinical interventions.