AIIMS and SAMEER Collaborate to Boost Medical Technology Innovation
In a move poised to significantly impact India’s healthcare landscape, the Ministry of Electronics & IT, AIIMS New Delhi, and the Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER) have joined forces. The two institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance innovation in medical electronics and healthcare technology, particularly in the realm of advanced medical imaging.
This collaboration, announced on the 32nd Foundation Day of the Department of NMR at AIIMS, aims to strengthen India’s indigenous medical imaging capabilities. The partnership will focus on the development of high and low field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) systems along with research in Radio Frequency (RF), microwave systems, and related areas for medical applications.
The MoU outlines five key areas of collaboration:
- Collaborative Research in Medical Devices Development
- Clinical Validation of Indigenous 1.5 T MRI System
- Collaborative Research in AI/ML for Image Enhancement and Accelerated Imaging
- Design and Development of Subsystems of High/Low Field MRI Scanner
- Development of RF Subsystems for High Field Animal MRI Scanners
Fostering Self-Reliance in MRI Technology
This initiative supports the ‘Indigenous Magnetic Resonance Imaging’ (IMRI) project, a national mission sponsored by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). SAMEER, as the nodal agency, is working alongside C-DAC (various locations) and IUAC (New Delhi) as collaborating agencies. The primary goal is to design, develop, and test an indigenous 1.5 Tesla MRI system for medical imaging.
Significant progress has been made in developing and testing subsystems of the MRI system, including the RF Power Amplifier, RF spectrometer, and control unit. Animal trials have been completed, and development of the 1.5 Tesla magnet is underway. The final cryotesting is in progress, which will soon be integrated with the other hardware and software. Furthermore, seven companies have been engaged through an Expression of Interest (EoI) process to further these developments.
The MoU with AIIMS will be crucial in conducting clinical validation of the system, accelerating India’s self-reliance in this advanced technology.
Dr. M. Srinivas, Director of AIIMS New Delhi, emphasized the importance of showcasing the country’s abilities and the need for clinicians and scientists to collaborate to develop improved medical devices. Smt. Sunita Verma, Group Coordinator R&D, MeitY, highlighted the importance of co-creation to develop indigenous health solutions. Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY, stated the partnership would enable the medical device ecosystem in the country focusing on AI in healthcare and endorsed SAMEER’s potential.
Dr. P.H. Rao, Director General, SAMEER, detailed research activities undertaken by SAMEER, with a specific focus on medical devices like MRI, LINAC, and X-ray blood irradiators, and underscored the critical role of clinicians in these developments.
The MoU was signed in the presence of key dignitaries, including Shri Abhishek Singh, Smt. Sunita Verma, Shri Rajesh Harsh, Shri Jay Verdhan Tiwari, and Prof. Rama Jayasundar.
