SCTIMST DSpace
Digital repository of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology(SCTIMST), Trivandrum.
This repository is for SCTIMST's research, including project reports, theses, publications and more...
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- Academic Presentations by various Departments and Divisions
Recent Submissions
Chemical characterisation of medical device materials in a risk management process as per ISO 10993-18
(SCTIMST, 2025-10-18) Renjith, S
The demand for medical devices in India is steadily increasing. The National Medical Device Policy 2023 was introduced with the goal of capturing a 10-12% share of the global medical device market within the next 25 years. Achieving this objective requires strengthening medical device development and testing capabilities. Each medical device must undergo rigorous biological evaluations in accordance with international standards to ensure patient safety and prevent health risks.
ISO 10993-18 provides a framework for the chemical characterization of medical device materials, crucial for toxicological risk assessment. Chemical characterization involves several steps, including the identification of material components, analysis of their composition, and estimation of extractable, leachable, and degradation products released from the device under ambient or accelerated conditions. This process also helps establish the equivalence of a new material or device with existing ones. Combining chemical characterization with toxicological risk assessment enables the screening of potential materials or devices for clinical use and ensures the biological safety of new or reprocessed medical devices. The presentation will focus on the step-by-step methodology for chemical characterization of medical devices according to ISO 10993-18.
Internet of Things (IoT) based platform for technical infrastructure management
(SCTIMST, 2025-10-18) Sajithlal, MK
At the Biomedical Technology Wing, the Division of Engineering Services manages various technical infrastructures, including IT systems, networks, air conditioning, electrical systems, and many sophisticated instruments. To enhance efficiency, a proactive monitoring and management approach is desirable over the traditional “firefighting” approach, as it helps reduce both operational costs and equipment downtime.
Under the DST-TRC funded project titled “Development of Connected Platform for Infrastructure Management,” an Internet of Things (IoT)-based platform was developed for real-time monitoring of environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, light, air pressure, etc.), as well as the vital parameters of electrical and mechanical equipment (voltage, current, surface temperature, vibration, etc.). The system also tracks water levels in various overhead tanks.
The platform automatically sends alerts (via SMS, email, or mobile notifications) to the concerned facility custodians whenever anomalies are detected in the monitored parameters. In addition, automation based on human movement has been implemented for controlling lights and exhaust fans. The entire system was developed using open-source software and hardware platforms.
This platform is scalable and can be extended for real-time monitoring of patient vitals—such as heart rate, SpO₂, and blood pressure using wearable sensors (like wristbands or rings). The initiative was launched in collaboration with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Trivandrum, as part of the Digital Health program.
Strengthening Secondary Stroke Prevention through Community Models and Digital Health Tools
(SCTIMST, 2025-10-04) Veena Babu
Stroke is an important public health issue worldwide. A decrease in stroke mortality in the past few decades has increased the absolute number of stroke survivors globally, and thus, prevention of recurrent stroke is increasingly important. The pooled stroke recurrence rate increases from 7.7% at 3 months to 39.7% at 12 years, and approximately one out of four strokes is a recurrent event. Evidence shows that secondary prevention strategies are important in preventing stroke recurrence and is associated with an 80% reduction in risk of recurrent stroke. Effective measures, including improving medication adherence by daily reminders/providing financial assistance, aggressive control of risk factors and educating the survivors, can help to prevent another stroke.
However, studies from our own settings showed reduced medication adherence and poor control of risk factors among stroke survivors. Limited geographic access and financial barriers further limit access to health services. Hence, task shifting and delegation to Community Health Workers (CHW) have emerged as effective approaches to address these challenges. Furthermore, a multimodal coordinated community health worker intervention model was developed for stroke survivors to improve medication adherence and risk factor monitoring in community settings.
Additionally, integration of mobile phone technology into secondary prevention of stroke care holds immense potential, particularly in resource-constrained settings like India. Widespread connectivity, ownership of a mobile phone, and willingness to receive m-health advice provide an enabling environment. An RCT was conducted to assess if mobile Apps can improve medication, risk factor control and stroke awareness. To implement this in the community, a multicentric trial is currently conducted to validate the use of a smartphone-based app for improving medication adherence, vascular risk factor control, lifestyle and behavioural modification among stroke survivors in Kerala.
Deep Brain Stimulation for Movement Disorders- Insights and Lessons learned over 25 years
(SCTIMST, 2025-10-04) Syam, K
The Comprehensive Care Centre for Movement Disorders of SCTIMST, the first of its kind in India, has completed 25 years in the field of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for movement disorders, with the first patient getting operated on 10th June, 1999. This patient also happened to be the first patient undergoing DBS in the country. In this session, the lessons learned over this 25-year journey, the technological advances which have happened, their impact on clinical practices and cost of therapy, and how the cost factor is impacting the developing world’s perspective of DBS, will be discussed, based on our data. The recently published data on the survival outcomes following DBS, the largest one from any single centre from the developing world, will also be presented.
The Key Performance Indicators(KPI) for Hospital Infection Control
(SCTIMST, 2025-08-30) Preena V
The NABH guidelines for key performance indicators will be discussed, what we have achieved, and the gaps in achievement that need to be addressed.