Several indigenous medical devices to hit markets soon

From smartphones detecting blood sugar to automated eye-screening devices that can be used in the countryside, many unique indigenous medical devices are set to hit the market soon.

The blood sugar testing device that needs to be attached to a phone was validated at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Narayana Hrudayalaya for self-monitoring by patients and for screening by health workers.

The manufacturing company, Janacare Solutions, has an order to supply 25,000 units for a large scale trial before the device is commercially launched. It uses a Rs 10 strip and can also test lipids, triglycerides, creatinine and haemoglobin.

Scientists are now eyeing the global market. The biggest bottleneck, however, is an inverted duty structure, because of which import makes more economical sense than local manufacturing. An inverted duty structure impacts domestic industry adversely as manufacturers have to pay a higher price for raw material in terms of duty, while imported finished products land at lower duty and cost lesser.

“We have requested the Finance Ministry to change the tax structure,” Renu Swarup, who heads the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council told Deccan Herald.

A faecal incontinence device meant for stool collection at intensive care units and hospital wards without violating patients’ dignity has received approvals from the US Food and Drug Administration.

Researchers at IIT-Madras have developed a mobile surgical unit and an eye screening device for use in rural India.