This life saving implant by IIT-Madras researchers is a boon for critical cardiovascular patients around the world

IIT Madras sees the advent of a new innovation in the campus each day. The latest breakthrough by researchers has been in indigenously developing Asia’s first ‘life-saving’ implant that can prove not only to be a boon for critical cardiovascular patients, but revolutionise the field of surgical patches with products designed and made in India.

Researchers have developed what they call SynkroScaff, a Tissue Engineered Bovine Pericardial Patch. This pericardial patch (sack of buffalo’s heart) has inherent properties of regeneration and integration in the body. The existing ones in India are processed using synthetic material and toxic chemicals like glutaraldehyde or formaldehyde, which can cause post complications in patients. IIT-M’s product, meanwhile, uses biomaterial to ensure it is microbial free.

Moreover, none of the synthetic, homologous (human-derived) and xenogeneic (compatible animal-derived) patches have potential for growth and repair requiring re-operations.

The new technology by IIT-M found to be commercially viable globally has been put out into the market by a Chennai-based firm called SynkroMax Biotech.

Soma Guhathakurta, IIT-M adjunct professor, highlights twin advantages of this innovation- India’s dependence on imports will be eliminated and patients won’t have to undergo a second procedure to remove the sack after usage. The cost of imported material which stands between Rs 30-35,000 is likely to be slashed by half using India-made implants.

Interestingly, development of SynkroScaff using indigenous technology originally stemmed from Guhathakurta’s doctoral research in IIT-M in 2004, under the guidance of Venkatesh Balasubramanian, the Professor of Department of Engineering Design at IIT-M.

“Its applications are immense in cardiovascular and other surgical practices. We obtained the licence for the product in May this year. So far, 800 patches have been manufactured and over 12 surgeons are using them across India. Apollo Hospitals, Kauvery Hospital in Chennai and AIIMS in Delhi are using it. We have also enrolled for Central Medical Services Society (CMSS) recognition of the product. The feedback from doctors and patients has been encouraging, with a 100 per cent success rate,” says Guhathakurta.

While the doctoral work won the best thesis award from Indian National Science Academy (INSA) in 2008, Guhathakurta’s mentor says “the true victory is when it is available as a surgical patch for the world, made in India”.