SCTIMST Launches Centre of Excellence for Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular Devices

These devices are being prepared for early technology transfer, marking a significant step forward for medical device innovation in India.

The Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) has inaugurated a Centre of Excellence (CoE) focused on advancing minimally invasive cardiovascular devices.

This center will develop innovative medical devices such as transcatheter aortic valves, abdominal aortic stent grafts, clot retrievers for stroke treatment, patent ductus arteriosus occluders, and peripheral stents.

These devices are being prepared for early technology transfer, marking a significant step forward for medical device innovation in India.

Minimally Invasive Therapies

Minimally invasive procedures offer numerous benefits for patients with high surgical risk. These therapies come with reduced morbidity, lower infection risks, and allow faster recovery, leading to shorter hospital stays.

Additionally, their long-term outcomes are often comparable to or better than traditional open-heart surgeries.

Other advantages include reduced infrastructure requirements and quicker patient turnover, making these procedures more efficient.

One of the main challenges in adopting these therapies remains the high cost, as most of the devices are imported. However, with ongoing research and development, the durability and performance of these devices have significantly improved.

They are becoming increasingly comparable to, and in some cases, better than surgical alternatives, offering a viable treatment option for many patients.

Boosting India’s MedTech Ecosystem

The CoE, funded by the Union Department of Biotechnology, is located within the Department of Medical Devices Engineering at SCTIMST’s biomedical technology wing. It will provide the facilities necessary for designing, prototyping, and testing these devices.

The Centre aims to foster collaboration with the medical device industry and support India’s 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives, helping drive medical technology innovation and self-reliance in the country.

In another development in the medical device sector, India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has become an Affiliate Member of the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF) as of September 2024.

This membership aims to align India's medical device regulations with global standards and foster international collaboration. CDSCO will now participate in IMDRF Open Sessions, gaining insights from international regulators to enhance India's regulatory framework.

This step is seen as a major boost for India's medical device industry, streamlining regulatory processes and improving global market access for Indian manufacturers.