How a Patented AIIMS-Patna Device Is Making Brain Surgery Safer and Cheaper

Neurosurgeons at AIIMS-Patna have developed and patented a tubular brain retractor aimed at making deep-seated brain surgeries safer, less invasive and considerably cheaper. The device can be configured as either a floating or a fixed tubular retractor depending on how complex the operation is, and can be integrated with modern neuronavigation and robotic platforms to achieve surgical precision of 1-2mm.

The patent for the indigenous innovation was granted by the Government of India to Dr Vikas Chandra Jha, professor and head of neurosurgery at AIIMS-Patna, who led the multidisciplinary project from concept to completion. Its design and clinical performance have since been published in the internationally reputed journal Neurosurgical Review.

Conventional open brain surgery requires large cranial openings and significant manipulation of healthy brain tissue to reach deep lesions. AIIMS-Patna says its retractor instead allows surgeons to work through an exceptionally narrow surgical corridor, resulting in smaller wounds, less blood loss, a lower risk of postoperative neurological deficits, and quicker recovery times.

The financial impact could be significant too. The retractor’s manufacturing cost is estimated at 80-90% lower than imported equivalents, and the hospital expects it to reduce the overall cost of minimally invasive brain surgeries by 30-40%, putting advanced neurosurgical care within reach of more economically disadvantaged patients.

The multidisciplinary team behind the device included neurosurgeons Dr Nitish, Dr Vivek Saran Sinha, Dr Gaurav, Dr Rahul and Dr Sangam, along with the department of anaesthesiology. AIIMS-Patna’s director credited the team’s work as part of the institute’s broader push toward affordable, world-class medical technology.