Portable medical diagnostic devices – the game changer in Indian healthcare

In the present world, maintaining good health is indeed a challenge. In all these years, the whole perspective of affordable healthcare has changed a lot and technology is definitely playing a second fiddle to keep individuals fitter than ever before.  The advent of technology has inspired the usage of portable medical diagnostic devices. Not only these devices help in monitoring health at home but also save tremendous costs of traditional diagnosis. In this regard, Bengaluru based medical technology company Inito has been a pioneer in building the next generation of portable diagnostic devices. Founded in 2015, Inito is a brainchild of IIT Roorkee alumnus, Aayush Rai and IIT Madras alumnus, Varun AV.

Using portable diagnostic devices has the following economic advantages. It allows testing at the patient site. Earlier diagnosis prevents diseases from progressing where they need complicated treatments or hospitalizations and save costs. Doctors can remotely access test results and suggest appropriate treatment with increased doctor efficiency. There is no need for sample storage, transportation and untrained personnel can be used for testing saving costs vs labs where trained technicians need to be employed.

The Inito Fertility Monitors can be used by anyone who can use a mobile phone. Rather than going for scans multiple times a cycle, women can track there ovulation cycle from their home saving cost, time and reduce stress. Inito has, thus, achieved the performance of an Rs.3 Lakhs costing bulky lab reader in a Rs. 3000 device that is small and portable. The company raised $1 Million from angel investors in India & Singapore last year. It will soon be adding Diabetes, Thyroid and Vitamin D tests to its device.

Non Communicable Diseases (NCD’s) are rising at a tremendous rate in India, now accounting for 53% of the disease burden and 60% of all deaths in India. Classically thought as diseases for the urban, NCD’s now account for 40% of the deaths in rural India as well. A Smartphone based diagnostic platform is even more useful in rural areas as there are no labs or facilities to take tests. Right now, when samples are sent to larger cities, reports come only 2-3 days later and important time is lost to treat the patient.

In the era of smart phone, the future of healthcare will be smart using the phone to monitor dozens of diseases through a single device. Side by side, tracking and storage of data and making personalized recommendations on how to improve health will be much simpler. Overall, Inito has ushered a new era in healthcare, imparting a healthier lifestyle for Indians.