BETiC at IIT Bombay: Innovating Affordable Medical Devices for India
Team L&M
In a quiet shed at IIT Bombay, a small team of engineers, guided by Prof B Ravi and supported by the Government of Maharashtra and Government of India, began working on innovative medical devices to address pressing healthcare challenges.
In less than four years, the Biomedical Engineering and Technology Incubation Centre (BETiC) has expanded to 10 centres across Maharashtra, bringing together over 100 doctors and engineers to collaborate on solutions that can impact the healthcare of a billion people.
Innovative Medical Devices and Patents
BETiC has developed and filed patents for 40 novel and affordable medical devices, with 15 products currently in production. So far, six startups and four Indian companies have licensed BETiC technologies. Their journey is documented in Prof B Ravi’s book, The Essence of Medical Device Innovation. It is published by The Write Place (Crossword Bookstores).
During IIT Bombay’s diamond jubilee convocation, PM Modi received a copy of the book. He personally autographed it, and interacted with BETiC’s innovations, including:
Smart Stethoscope
Enables doctors in remote areas to record heart and chest sounds and share them with specialists for diagnosis. The first batch was distributed to 10 PHCs in Bhavnagar.
Flexible Laparoscopic Instrument
Allows complex minimally invasive surgical steps, including suturing inside the abdomen, with enhanced precision and movement compared to conventional instruments.
3D-Printed Anatomical Models & Patient-Specific Jigs
Assist surgeons in planning and practicing surgeries, especially useful for complex cases like jaw bone cancer.
Novel Prosthetic Leg
Combines custom 3D-printed sockets from IIT Bombay, knee joints from IIT Madras, and Jaipur Foot from BMVSS Jaipur, designed for accuracy, comfort, affordability, and faster production compared to traditional plaster-based methods.
These innovations are designed to make advanced healthcare accessible and affordable for all, including underserved communities.
