Sustainable solutions
A book on BETiC’s affordable medical devices was in focus at a discussion recently
Prof B Ravi’s book ‘The Essence of Medical Device Innovation’, was the subject of a discussion between Prof B Ravi, Head of BETiC, IIT-B and Mynoo Maryel, Convenor of World Dignity Forum. BETiC (Biomedical Engineering and Technology incubation Centre) is supported by the Government of Maharashtra and Central Govt of India and its 13 innovation centres, across the country, starting with the one at IIT-Bombay, have now created 40 different novel and affordable medical devices. The book contains 16 such stories.
The session revolved around the theme of ‘Low-cost medical devices for a billion Indians’ and was moderated by Vithal Nadkarni.
“At BETiC, we make the journey form idea, to innovation to testing to impact,” said Prof Ravi. “Our experience at BETiC shows that this is now possible in India, thanks to the market pull by doctors, technology push by researchers and conducive environment created by the government for entrepreneurs.”
Some of these products are
The smart stethoscope (Ayulink) This allows doctors in a remote place to record and send heart or chest sounds to experts in tertiary hospitals for a second opinion and diagnosis.The first batch of these stethoscopes has been given to 10 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Bhavnagar.
Diabetic Foot Screener India has 60 million diabetics and every year, over 1 lakh people undergo amputation. BETiC has developed the 'diabetic foot screener', which helps healthcare workers in far-flung locations to prevent long-term ulceration and amputation among patients.The device detects the stiffness of the tissues on the sole of feet, and the patient is placed in green, yellow and red risk zones. Treatment is suggested accordingly. Rural health care workers can be trained to use it.
Austrian health clinic in India
Vedary, a health and lifestyle destination, has teamed up with Austria’s health clinic VIVAMAYR Medical Center. Prof. Dr. Harald Stossier, Founder and Medical Director, VIVAMAYR said, “VIVAMAYR Medical Center enjoys a worldwide following of health-conscious devotees. Over this year, our ties with Vedary in Mumbai has given us a better access and insight on the health challenges in India. Every few month’s patients consult with our visiting doctor on ailments such as allergies, hypertension, diabetes and obesity to name a few. Our doctors have a proven track record in treating conditions endemic to modern living by combining natural therapies with state-of-the-art medical diagnostics and treatments, true to the teachings of Modern Mayr - Medicine that are based on the work of Dr. Mayr.
VIVAMAYR offers a customised therapy program centered around the overall state and performance capacity of the digestive tract. The overriding goal is to achieve a sustainable shift in lifestyle. During his five day visit to Mumbai, with support from Vedary, Dr. Stossier conducted the First Medical Workshop providing education and training in Modern Mayr – Medicine, Functional Myodiagnostic and Orthomolecular Medicine for health professionals. He also shed light on his book on nutrition.