Browse Innovations

Next Generation Rapid TB LAM Test for Mass Screening of TB in Urine and Other Body Fluids.

TB is an infectious airborne disease, whose main etiologic agent is MTb. Although TB is present in every country in the world, this disease mainly affects low-income and vulnerable populations. TB is among the 10 leading causes of death in the world, and the first as an infectious agent in HIV Positive patients. In 2019, TB was responsible for over 1 million deaths. WHO estimates that one-fourth of the world's population is infected with MTb.

Presently existing LAM urine test (Alere, Abbott, USA) has higher sensitivity & specificity, mainly in HIV co-infected TB patients, while its sensitivity and specificity are very less in active TB patients 17-40% average 26 percentage. We propose an improved version of a visual, qualitative, rapid, and affordable test (LAM-Based TB test) for mass screening of TB in urine. Tests are rapid, and results can be interpreted in 10 minutes. The proposed tests are suitable for doctors’ clinics and resource-constrained areas, and no refrigeration is required during storage and transportation. Lipoarabinomannan (LAM) is a potential marker of active tuberculosis (TB). The test is based on the detection of mycobacterial lipoarabinomannan (LAM) antigen in body fluids (blood and sputum etc) that can be used as a potential point of care test for tuberculosis (TB). LAM antigen is a lipopolysaccharide present in mycobacterial cell walls, which is released from metabolically active or degenerating bacterial cells and appears to be present only in people with active TB disease.

Urine-based testing would have advantages over sputum-based testing because urine is easy to collect and store, and lacks the infection control risks associated with sputum collection. This rapid Test is a membrane-based test for the rapid detection of cell wall antigen in urine. Our proposed TB test (detection of antigen in Urine) is rapid (20-25 minutes compared to 8 to 12 weeks for routine culture), low cost and affordable (compared to USD20 for Gene Xpert), do not require equipment, they are point of care easy to use tests and only small amount of sample is needed for the test. The tests can be performed in rural and resource settings where pathology labs or TB labs are not available.

We have completed clinical validation of Rapid Tests in urine samples of TB and HIV co-infected TB patients at one site (Fiocruz, Recife, Brazil) under the BRICS Project. As a result, we found higher accuracy than Alere LAM (Abbott) and FujiLAM (Japan) TB tests. Further, investigations and validation studies are going on in Fiocruz, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil to increase its accuracy and make it suitable for mass screening of TB in adult as well as pediatric TB populations in rural and resource-constrained areas of India, China, Brazil, and South Africa (High Burden Countries).

Highly Oxygenated Aerosol Controlled (HOAC) Combo Device For COVID-19 and Airborne Diseases (TB).

HOAC Device – A Breakthrough from AIIMS Raipur

Utility Patent Granted | Year of Invention: 2021

A Closed-System, Single-Patient, Non-Electronic Device for Safer TB & Airborne Disease Management

Developed by frontline healthcare professionals at AIIMS Raipur, the HOAC (Highly Oxygenated Aerosol Controlled) Device is a low-cost, disposable, and non-electronic medical innovation designed to transform lung therapy, infection control, and sputum diagnostics for TB and airborne disease patients.

This multifunctional closed-system device integrates five core respiratory therapies in one:

1. Bio-aerosol controlled nebulization
2. Incentive spirometry
3. Active sputum sampling
4. Oxygen mask therapy
5. Non-Rebreather Mask (NRBM) oxygen delivery

It is purpose-built for both hospital and community settings, where infection control and patient recovery must go hand-in-hand.

Addressing Unmet Needs in TB & Airborne Disease Care

In TB care, productive cough and sputum collection are essential for diagnosis—but these increase infection risk when done in open areas like PHCs and CHCs. Similarly, nebulization and spirometry, while proven to reduce pulmonary complications and pleural effusion, are often avoided in TB and airborne patients due to the high risk of aerosol generation.

The HOAC device solves these challenges by enabling:

1. Safe and contained nebulization for drug delivery without spreading aerosols
2. Closed-system spirometry that supports lung rehabilitation even in oxygen-dependent TB patients
3. Active sputum collection with built-in aerosol control, ideal for TB testing centers
4. Enhanced safety during patient transfer using HOAC’s oxygen mask modes, preventing cross-infection during routine care

Key Features

1. Non-Electronic & Disposable – Safe for use in low-resource, high-risk environments
2. Closed Bio-Aerosol Control – Smart expiratory outlet uses basic physics: upward air expulsion and downward gravitational absorption using a dry sponge-based filter to reduce contaminated moisture
3. Five-in-One Modular System – Nebulizer (HOAC-N), Spirometer (HOAC-IS), Sputum Sampling Mask (HOAC-SM), NRBM (AC-NRBM), and Face Mask (AC-FM)
4. Clinically Designed at AIIMS Raipur – Based on real-time patient needs, especially during COVID-19 and TB peaks

Impact at a Glance

1. Reduces bio-aerosol transmission and hospital-acquired infections
2. Improves drug delivery efficiency and lung recovery
3. Supports safer sputum sampling in diagnostic centers
4. Consolidates fragmented therapies into one simple, disposable tool
5. Enables standardized TB care even in rural and high-burden settings

From Frontline Service to Biomedical Innovation

This device was invented in 2021 by Arokiaraj U, Senior Nursing Officer at AIIMS Raipur (with doctors' support), who turned the hardship of treating patients in suffocating PPE kits and overcrowded ICU wards during the COVID-19 pandemic into an opportunity for meaningful, scalable healthcare innovation.

The HOAC device is now entering the fundraising and prototype development stage, followed by pivot studies and clinical validation, paving the way for large-scale deployment across India.

Solar-Powered UV Sterilization for TB Prevention in Public Spaces

This concept integrates solar energy with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation UVGI for continuous air sterilization in high-risk areas.Solar Energy Collection Solar panels generate energy during the day, storing excess power in batteries for nighttime use.UVGI Air Disinfection Upper room UVGI lamps or air circulating UV sterilizers inactivate airborne TB bacteria reducing transmission risks.Smart Monitoring Sensors track air quality and adjust UV intensity for efficiency. Benefits can be like Sustainable & Cost Effective which runs on solar power reducing electricity costs all the time air disinfection which works continuously in crowded spaces. There is already proven Technology of UVGI is already used in hospitals and now scalable for public settings. It is scalable and also customizable which is Ideal for metro stations, markets, hospitals, and slum areas.Challenges and Solutions can be like UV Safety Concerns for which we can use shielded upper room UVGI to prevent direct exposure.Weather Dependency to which we can Incorporate battery storage for consistent operation.Public Awareness for this we can conduct campaigns to educate people on UVGIe220ac2122s role in TB prevention.

ProDigi Health Platform for TB screening with PRORAD ATLAS ULTRAPORTABLE Digital X-Ray system

ProDigi is an innovative health platform designed to revolutionize the medical ecosystem by facilitating seamless integration between software and hardware in healthcare settings. It is designed to enable an effective and efficient TB screening solution. It ensures safe and secure capture of patient data while connecting the ProRad Atlas Ultraportable X-ray system with an AI for CXR analysis and TrueNat for a confirmatory molecular test. ProDigi also has the ability to enable a teleconsult for better care and planning of treatment of the TB-affected patients.

PRORAD ATLAS ULTRAPORTABLE digital x-ray system is a state-of-the-art ultra-portable solution that comprises of high frequency x-ray generator that is microprocessor-controlled for precise x-ray delivery, an ergonomically and aesthetically designed unit with an LCD touch screen display of x-ray parameters and APR settings. It is a compact and lightweight X-ray imaging device that is designed for use in a variety of settings, including emergency rooms, intensive care units, and remote or mobile clinical settings.

TB NTM MPCR-ULFA Multiplex PCR and Universal Lateral Flow Assay Kit.

TB NTM MPCR-ULFA Kit is an in vitro diagnostic kit designed for the simultaneous detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis TB and non-tuberculous mycobacteria NTM in sputum specimens through MPCR-ULFA Multiplex PCR and Universal Lateral Flow Assay.

Features and Advantages:

1. Target gene: IS6110 and mtp40 for TB, and rpoB for NTMHigh sensitivity and specificity
2. All kinds of PCR thermocyclers are usable for the assayUser-friendly and convenient method
3. Prevention of PCR carry-over contamination with the use of UDGULFA results in 10 minutes

3D-Printed Compartmental Fixed-Dose Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs to Overcome Drug-Drug Interactions

We developed a novel Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) mediated powder bed fusion 3D printing (3DP) approach using SmartEx QD 100 and Eudragit L 100-55 polymers. This enabled the fabrication of compartmentalized FDC bilayer tablets, ensuring the sequential release of INH in the stomach and RIF in the intestine while preventing RIF degradation. The 3D-printed bilayer tablets met pharmacopeial standards for dimensional accuracy (16.02, 8.01, 4.03 mm), weight variation (255.23 mg), friability (less than 1 percent), and hardness (34.61 N). Texture analysis confirmed adequate handling properties, while microCT and SEMEDX verified uniform pore formation and drug distribution. In vitro studies showed rapid INH release (100 percent within 45 min) and controlled RIF release (12 percent in the gastric region over 2 hours, followed by 62 percent in the intestine). In vivo pharmacokinetics in New Zealand white rabbits demonstrated promising results.

TBSend Card: Sputum Transport, Storage, and Electricity-Free DNA Release Device

The TBSend Card is a cylindrical device designed for the safe collection, preservation, and transportation of sputum samples for nucleic acid testing. It houses a chemically coated stack of filter cards and can be opened from both ends as well as from the side.To use the device, sputum is added to a buffer-filled vial, mixed well, and then spotted onto the filter card through one end of the device. Once processed, the sample can be safely transported at room temperature. The preserved nucleic acids remain stable on the cards, which should be stored at room temperature, for over six years without degradation.For nucleic acid extraction, an elution buffer is added through the other end of the device, and the device is placed on a rack for a minute. The nucleic acid-containing buffer (~1.4 mL) is then collected through the side opening. This eluted sample can be directly loaded onto a GeneXpert cartridge or any other CB-NAAT assay system.For other nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), the 1.4 mL eluate is processed by adding a binding buffer and magnetic beads, followed by mixing and washing on a magnetic rack. The final nucleic acid extract (3050 c2b5L) can then be used in various diagnostic platforms, including qPCR, endpoint PCR, isothermal assays, and line probe assays.The entire process is electricity-free, requires no centrifugation, and is suitable for remote and resource-limited settings. Importantly, the device ensures biosafety during sample handling, transport, and storage.

TimBre- An AI & Acoustics Respiratory Health Screening Application

Docturnal provides Acoustic and AI Screening Solution for Lung Ailments that are non-invasive and point of care offering real time results. Ailments covered are TB, Pneumonia and noninfectious such as Asthma and COPD AND additional parameters such as Dyspnea, productive and nonproductive cough texture. TimBre is a low cost solution and is extensible for other lung ailments.