Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has spearheaded the development of two critical healthcare technologies, namely the 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner and 6 MEV Linear Accelerator, through the Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER), Mumbai, as the implementing agency, in collaboration (MRI) with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Trivendrum & Kolkata, Inter University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) and Dayanand Sagar Institute (DSI). The MRI scanner is a non-invasive medical imaging test used to visualize soft tissues, while the Linear Accelerator (LINAC) is utilized for cancer treatment using high-energy X-rays or electrons. Both projects have received financial support from MeitY, to make India move towards import substitution.
In order to ensure that these technologies are accessible and affordable to the public, it is absolutely crucial to swiftly translate research into practical applications, expedite their development and deployment and fully leverage the benefits of indigenous health technologies for the benefit of people. Therefore, the engagement of industry is paramount. In addition, early engagement can also help identify synergies between government research priorities and industry capabilities, leading to more efficient and impactful collaborations. Consequently, SAMEER, along with its collaborating agencies, has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for MRI and Transfer of Technology (ToT) for LINAC with the following industries:
Transfer of Technology agreement for Linear Accelerator System
- B-MEC Imaging Pvt Ltd
MoU and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA) with Industries
- Medirays Imaging Pvt. Ltd.
- Adonis Medical Systems Pvt. Ltd.
- INOXCVA Inox India Ltd.
- Paras Defence and Technologies Ltd.
- Vedang Radio Tech. Pvt. Ltd.,
- Sci-com Software Pvt. Ltd.
- NVGEN Automation Pvt. Ltd.
The exchange of MoU and ToT between SAMEER and industries was done in august presence of Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, Additional Secretary, Smt. Sunita Verma, Group Coordinator R&D, Dr. P. Hanumantha Rao, DG SAMEER and Scientists of MeitY, CDAC, IUAC and SAMEER. Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, MeitY highlighted the importance of crucial medical technologies & devices, its ever enhancing scope, challenges as well as opportunities that India presents to the manufacturers. He informed that industry engagement is encouraging and reflections on the MeitY sustained efforts in developing indigenous technologies.
The participants were Dr. P. Hanumantha Rao, Director General-SAMEER, Shri Rajesh Harsh, Programme Director-SAMEER, Shri Devanand, Associate Director-CDAC-T and his team, Dr Soumen Kar, Scientist G-IUAC, Shri Deepak Acharya, COO-INOX CVA, Shri Parag Kulkarni, Executer Director-INOX CVA, Shri Ravi Kumar K V, MD – Medirays Imaging Pvt. Ltd., Shri Rajesh Nair, Director – Medirays Imaging Pvt. Ltd., Shri Virinder Singh Bedi, Director- Adonis Medical Systems Pvt. Ltd., Shri Amit Mahajan, Director-Paras Defense and Space Limited, Shri B.C. Bhardwaj, Founding Director-Vedang Radio Tech. Pvt. Ltd., Dr Vishwas Udpikar, Director-Sci-com Software Pvt. Ltd., Shri Nilesh V. Narvekar, Vice Chairman and Founder – NVGEN Automation Pvt. Ltd., Shri Chandrasekaran J, Director along with senior executives from BMEC Imaging Private Limited and Members from IMRI – National Steering Committee (NSC).
These healthcare technologies, focused on diagnostics and treatment, are intended to benefit the general public at large. The journey of the above indigenous medical devices has come a long way from development of individual sub-systems to engaging the Indian industry to expeditiously move towards attainment of final goal. Engagement with Indian industries represents a significant milestone, signaling the project’s transition towards commercialization. The journey will take its final steps when the technology is commercialised and adopted for use by masses of India, marking the goal of making healthcare affordable.
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DK/DK/SMP
