HYDERABAD: Kolkata-based Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute (CGCRI), which is a laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Institute, is developing low-cost medical implants using special ceramics, said a top official of the institute on Wednesday here.
CGCRI director Kamal Dasgupta said, "We have started with the development of hip implant and have already sold the technology to IFGL Bio Ceramics. The hip implants generally costs Rs 1.5 lakh which cannot be afforded by many Indians, the ones that we have developed can be sold at Rs30,000,"
He pointed out that the institute was also focusing on increasing the life span of the hip implant to 30-35 years from the existing 20-25 years.
"The hip implants have a life of 20-25 years and then they need replacement for which a surgery is required. Usually the first surgery is risk-free but the second one is difficult. Hence, we are also working on increasing the life span of the hip implant by around 10 years," he added.
Dasgupta said that CGCRI will work on knee implants and finger implants in the next year.
Meanwhile, the Kolkata-based institute is also working on a high-power fibre laser technology that can be used to develop defence laser weapons or in the area of underground mining.
"We have already demonstrated a lab model of 200-Watt and expect to produce a 1,000-Watt model in the next two to three years," Dasgupta said.
