The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with German institute TU Dresden, to help slash costs for robotic surgery technology as well as for the implementation of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in surgical oncology and liquid biopsy.
The LoI was signed between Prof Ursula Staudinger, head of TU Dresden, and Dr M Srinivas, Director of AIIMS New Delhi.
Under this, AIIMS Delhi will see collaboration with TU Dresden on translational research, clinical integration of digital technologies, and joint startup incubation.
Dr M D Ray, Professor in the Department of Surgical Oncology at Dr B R Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, AIIMS, said, “We have a huge patient load, and this requires low-cost technology. So far, the conventional robotic surgery is expensive and costs at least Rs 2-3 lakh.”
The three major areas where research will be conducted will include robotic oncology surgeries, AI in oncology surgery and liquid biopsy, which is a non-invasive diagnostic test that analyzes bodily fluids, like blood, to detect cancer or other diseases, Dr Ray said.
He added that funding will be provided to develop low-cost liquid biopsy technology.
“It is crucial in diagnosing cancer. The earlier we diagnose the signs of a person developing cancer, the sooner we can begin the treatment,” he said.
