Development of orthotic devices may soon receive a boost with a Kerala based scientific institution collaborating with a Mohali based private manufacturer for co-development of such devices catering to clinical conditions such as osteoarthritis and diabetic foot ulcer.

Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala (SCTIMST), an Institute of National Importance under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has signed an MoU with Tynor Orthotics Private Limited (Tynor), Mohali, to set up an Orthotics and Rehabilitation R&D vertical to promote indigenous device development in this sector towards the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, a high priority target of the Govt of India.

Tynor, a manufacturer and exporter of high quality and affordable orthopedic appliances and fracture aids in India, will collaborate with SCTIMST for the co-development of Orthotic devices and to promote joint research programs in Orthotics and Rehab.

Tynor has funded SCTIMST for Research and Development of two off-loading devices in patients with diabetic foot ulcers and osteoarthritis. The project is planned for one year with Tynor contributing Rs 27 lakhs to the program.

The main objective of this Institute-Industry collaboration is to develop a cluster of orthoses for catering to clinical conditions such as osteoarthritis and diabetic foot ulcer. 

SCTIMST has done considerable amount of R&D work in biomedical devices over the last 30 or more years and has established itself as a pioneer in this field. This collaboration with an Industry leader for co-development of ortho-rehab devices in the country is a commendable step.

Tynor has planned to set up India’s first R&D Center in Orthopedic Appliances, Fracture Aids, Walking Aids, Compression Garments, and Footcare Products. This center has been named TORNADO (Tynor Ortho Research N Appliance Development Organization) and aims to bring about technology and innovation-based disruption at the scale of a tornado.

This will be a novel center in which a Cross-Functional Team consisting of experts from Engineering, Orthopedics, Biomedical Sciences, Design shall be brought together to brainstorm and develop products as per the requirements of the Indian patient. Industry-academia collaboration is the key to achieve this feat.