Round-the-clock data collected from
bioelectronic devices could replace the
present time-point investigations and
lead to better management of health
condition of patients. In addition, data
from multiple people can help develop
artificial intelligence algorithms and
predictive tools. Such tools have already
started showing analytic performance
similar, and sometimes better than
manual inspection by a specialist In next few years, health monitoring,
neural prosthetics and biochemical
prosthetics are expected to drive major
developments in this space. Although
the monitoring devices have already
started testing the market in niche patient
segments, it may take the implants another
5-10 years to reach health centres as they
make their way through developmental
and regulatory checkpoints.
By India Science Wire
Volume 4 | Issue 1 | January-March 2019
39
physician. In countries like India,
that suffer from shortage of qualified
doctors in remote areas, such devices
have immense potential. However,
data standardization, data security and
privacy protection must be addressed
and regulated before rolling out such
interventions.
IIT Kharagpur is setting up a
Bioelectronics Innovation Laboratory
that aims to develop battery-free
implantable miniaturized engineering
systems for treatment of brain, nerve,
muscle or spinal cord disorders by
restoring missing neural functions. The
proposed coin sized implant will be
powered wirelessly and will combine
brain activity testing like electrical
simulation, bio-potential recording
and neuro-chemical sensing for use in
rehabilitation and prosthesis.
In India, a lot of work has now started
in this sphere. Results from a few
studies have started trickling in, with
most of them in development or early
stages of testing. Research findings
in the journal Scientific Reports by
researchers from IIT Kharagpur earlier
this year reported bioimpedimetric
analysis of cancer cells that efficiently
distinguishes their aggressiveness by
measuring electric field impedance
in laboratory conditions. In another
study published in the journal Sensors
earlier this year, researchers at IIT Delhi
developed a novel low-cost prosthesis
based on sensors to enable normal gait
kinematics, i.e. motion analysis, for
lower limb amputees.
To cater to the large patient numbers, care
models are transitioning from hospital-
centric care to in-home care. Hospital-based
interventions will increasingly cater to acute
cases only. Real-time monitoring of a person’s
physiological and biophysical parameters, and
relaying health information to care providers
becomes essential in achieving this.
stimulate cardiac or brain tissues to
treat conditions like irregular heartbeat,
certain motor disorders and cognitive
impairments. Other implants like,
artificial retina and cochlear implants,
restore functionalities of damaged
tissues. These interventions, being
referred to as ‘Bioceuticals’, could
restructure conventional therapeutic
options for more efficient outcomes.