Engineers and doctors come together for patients’ welfare: Initiative by Nagpur’s VNIT

Nagpur, 20 Aug

(HS): Probably for the first time Nagpur’s Visvesaraya National Institute of

Technology (VNIT) formed a Biomedical Engineering Forum (BMEF) of about 85

medical practitioners who are experts in different faculties to understand

their requirement, particularly in using various equipment.

The initiative

was taken by former Director of VNIT Dr Pramod Padole. The equipment used by

medical practitioners in various surgeries and other procedures are designed by

engineers. Dr Padole’s efforts were aimed at research on these equipment and

research towards making the procedure easy for use of doctors and comfortable

for the patients undergoing the procedures. The same efforts are being

continued by the present Director Dr Prem Lal Patel.

VNIT carried out

research and worked out several equipment, but never tried to publicise it except

informing about them to the medical practitioners, due to procedure and rules

made by the institution.

Hindusthan

Samachar was able to lay down on some of the research products of VNIT, which

are being used by some doctors. With the ECG (Electrocardiogram) VNIT

Researchers developed a mathematical tool to use EMG for measuring strength of

muscles in the body. This is likely to help an orthopaedic surgeons in

evaluating muscles supporting the bone undergoing surgery. The researchers have

also worked on implants in bone surgeries like rods and plates to reduce pain suffered

by the patient.

EMG tool helps

faster recovery of the patients, who are required to confine to bed for several

months, particularly after surgery of leg bones.

Similarly a tool

called ‘AV Fistula’ developed with the help of Nephrologists is used during dialysis,

reduced time to heal injury and patient is relieved of pain and exhaustion

after undergoing the procedure. Fistula is a surgical connection between an

artery and vein – usually in the forearm. It is considered the best and safest lifeline

for haemodialysis because it allows high-speed blood flow and lasts longer with

fewer ricks of infection or clotting. Patients undergoing dialysis readily

offer their consent for using the AR Fistula.

VNIT researchers

have also worked out on tools used by dental surgeon or maxillofacial surgeons

and even experts in plastic surgery.

The researchers

work in VNIT labs, and also labs of experts in different faculties of medical

sciences and many costly equipment are available with the practising doctors

and difficult to be purchased by VNIT. Plus the patients for testing cannot be

made available at VNIT under the supervision of engineers.

Supporting these

research activities, VNIT has started a detailed medical check-up for the final

year students, who are facing campus interviews. The data collected through

these medical tests is made available to those conducting the campus

selections. The companies recruiting the students are not required to carry out

the same procedure for selected candidates.

Prof Dr Rashmi

Uddanwadikar of VNIT and a keen researcher stated that mostly the students fall

in normal range as mentioned by pathological labs. Within the same ranges,

Complete Blood Count (CBC), Bone Mineral Density (BMD) tests, Body Mass Index

(BMI), Haemoglobin, Cardio-Respiratory evaluation is carried out.

The data is also

used in research for advising the young generations for leading healthy life.

Comparative study is also carried out for vegetarian and non-vegetarian

students, including occasional non-veg and frequent non-veg food habits.

Those who are on

the lower side and near higher range with in the normal range of standard

parameters are studied. Comparative study between male and female students is

also carried out.

VNIT thus

acquires an important place in research aimed to benefit the society at large,

which is working with integrated approach.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar