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| The School of Medical Research and Technology (SMRT) of IIT Kanpur |
The School of Medical
Research and Technology (SMRT) of IIT Kanpur, a platform of interdisciplinary
teaching and research in diverse areas of medical science and technology
announced the launch of 'Hridyantra', a grand challenge-based programme to
develop world's advanced artificial heart, also called Left Ventricular Assist
Device (LVAD), for the sufferers of
end-stage heart failure.
Director, IIT-K Professor Abhay Karandikar said-“Cardiovascular diseases are amongst the leading cause of human deaths worldwide, a LVAD or artificial heart is a pump used in patients with end-stage heart failure as a bridge while awaiting a heart transplant or as a destination therapy for those unable to go in for a transplant.
It is an implantable
battery-operated, mechanical pump, which helps the left ventricle (main pumping
chamber of the heart) pump blood to the rest of the body.
The programme has
been launched in collaboration with India's leading hospitals, would promote
the vision of made in India and will be guided by a team of innovators with
relevant experience selected under the mentorship of a task force comprising
industry experts. Selected candidates will receive a fellowship and a milestone
based ownership in the commercial entity once the LAVD is successfully launched
and commercialized.-the institute said in the statement.
The challenge to
develop India's first LVAD system will be open to the candidates of basic
sciences, medical and engineering graduates or graduates of any stream with
relevant experience.
IIT Kanpur is known
for its pioneering role in launching high-impact projects in the fields of
entrepreneurship and innovation, with Hridyantra we are moving another step
forward in realizing our vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India)
by supporting indigenous talent with critical R&D support.
“The programme 'Hridyantra'
providing an innovative platform for enterprising problem solvers, it will
definately enrich the health ecosystem of our country and also lead the way in
interdisciplinary biomedical research and innovation, by supporting indigenous
talent with critical research and development support."- Prof. Karandikar explained.
Prof S Ganesh, deputy
director of IIT Kanpur and in-charge of SMRT said: "The execution of this
unique competition-based programme will commence with the deployment of a
multi-disciplinary team of fellows who will undergo clinical immersion at
Narayana Health Hospitals for understanding the clinical nuances associated
with cardiac surgery. Upon its completion, the fellows will move to IIT Kanpur
to begin the product development process."
The deputy director
said- “so far LVADs have to be imported and are very expensive. The aim of the
initiative is to bring down the cost through indigenous technology without
compromising on the quality. The challenge to develop India's first LVAD system
will be open to basic sciences, medical and engineering graduates or graduates
of any stream with relevant experience.”
The project is
seed-funded by Padma awardee Sudha Murthy and the Indian Council of Medical
Research.
For the purpose,
IIT-Kanpur has created a task force that includes engineering faculty members
from IIT Kanpur, industry experts from the USA and clinical experts from
Narayana Health, All India Institute of Medical Sciences-Delhi, Apollo, Fortis
Healthcare, Medanta, KIMS and UN Mehta Heart Institute to train the selected
fellows on developing the artificial heart.
The program is
accepting applications until January 30 on
https://iitk-smrt-hridyantra.co.in/
Recently, IIT Kanpur
hosted its 54th IIT-Kanpur Convocation Ceremony in the hybrid model, where PM
Narendra Modi launched the blockchain-based degree transfer technology. Chief
Minister Yogi Adityanath was also present there as the Guest of Honour.
About SMRT
School of Medical
Research and Technology (SMRT) is a one-of-a-kind initiative by IIT Kanpur that
aims to revolutionize medical education in India by bridging the gap between
medical and technology disciplines. The first phase of the project would include
setting up various Centres of Excellence (CoE) oriented towards cutting-edge
medical research and innovation along with a 500-bed super-specialty hospital.
The CoE's are expected to work in confluence with the core clinical departments
of the hospital and biomedical expertise of various engineering departments of
IIT Kanpur. The school will offer Post Graduate Medical Degrees in various
domains of Medical Science and Technology. SMRT will create an impact on
society and the economy at the local, national, and global scale.
About SIIC, IIT
Kanpur
Established in 2000,
Start-up Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur, is one of the
oldest technology business incubators with many successes under its belt. In
2018, the leadership brought the incubator's operations under Foundation for
Research & Innovation in Science & Technology (FIRST), a Section-8
company promoted by IIT Kanpur. The multifaceted, vibrant incubation ecosystem
nurtured over two decades continues to fill all the gaps on the road to converting
an idea into a business.
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