SCTIMST develops device for prevention of deep vein thrombosis
The Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvananthapuram, an Institute of National Importance under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has developed a device for the prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).
“The Institute has applied for patent and has a scientific publication on this technology,” Dr Asha Kishore, director, SCTIMST said.
“The cost of the imported device varies from 2 lakh to 5 lakh. It is estimated that the device can be manufactured and sold for less than one lakh,” she further stated.
DVT is caused by prolonged immobility and bed ridden state, post operative immobilization, paralysis of legs, stroke, pregnancy, dehydration, use of certain drugs, travel by long flights without moving etc. Normally blood in the veins of the legs is returned to the heart by the contraction of muscles of the legs during walking.
The device works by compressing the veins in the legs in sequence so that the flow of blood from the veins in the legs is facilitated.
The compression pressure is set in such a way that the veins are compressed but not the arteries. The device is equipped with a closed loop monitoring of compression pressure and electronic controls, said the statement issued by the SCTIMST.
Dedicated software is also provided in the device to ensure that safe compression levels are always maintained. The device is also equipped with a power supply back-up.
The symptoms of DVT are pain, swelling, redness, warmth and engorged surface veins. The detachment of the clot from the veins and its transport to heart and into the artery carrying impure blood from the heart to the lungs can cause ‘pulmonary artery embolism’, a potentially life threatening complication, said the statement.
The license for the manufacture and sale of the device was transferred to enProducts Pvt Ltd, located in Kochi, Kerala.
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