AIIMS Patna Develops Patented Brain Retractor to Improve Precision and Reduce Cost of Neurosurgeries

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The device, which has received a patent from the Government of India, is designed to support minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures while significantly lowering treatment costs.

The Department of Neurosurgery at AIIMS Patna has developed a patented indigenous tubular brain retractor aimed at improving the safety, precision, and affordability of deep-seated brain surgeries.

The device, which has received a patent from the Government of India, is designed to support minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures while significantly lowering treatment costs.

The innovation was conceived and led by Dr. Vikas Chandra Jha, Professor and Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at AIIMS Patna. According to the institute, the retractor can function as both a floating and a fixed tubular retractor, allowing neurosurgeons to adapt its use based on the complexity of the procedure.

The device is compatible with neuronavigation and robotic surgical platforms, enabling surgeons to achieve precision within 1–2 mm during procedures involving delicate and deep brain structures. AIIMS Patna said the technical design and clinical performance of the retractor have also been published in the peer-reviewed journal Neurosurgical Review.

Unlike conventional open brain surgery, which typically requires larger cranial openings and greater manipulation of healthy brain tissue, the newly developed retractor creates a narrow surgical corridor to access deep brain lesions. According to the institute, this minimally invasive approach can reduce surgical trauma, blood loss, and the risk of postoperative neurological complications while supporting faster patient recovery and shorter hospital stays.

AIIMS Patna also stated that the indigenous device is expected to substantially reduce the cost of minimally invasive brain surgeries. The manufacturing cost of the retractor is estimated to be 80–90% lower than that of imported alternatives. As a result, the institute estimates that the overall cost of minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures could decline by 30–40%, potentially improving access to advanced brain surgeries for economically disadvantaged patients.

The project involved contributions from neurosurgeons Dr. Nitish, Dr. Vivek Saran Sinha, Dr. Gaurav, Dr. Rahul, and Dr. Sangam, along with the Department of Anaesthesiology.

Congratulating the team, the Director of AIIMS Patna said the institute remains focused on developing affordable medical technologies that improve patient care while reducing treatment costs and surgical risks.

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