Intuitive & IIT Madras Partners to Build Advanced Portable Ultrasound to Enhance Breast Cancer Detection

The new device incorporates a compact surface plate to support high‑quality imaging even in resource‑limited environments and is intended to be cost‑competitive with existing imported ultrasound systems.

Intuitive Surgical, a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery, has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT Madras), to build an indigenous portable ultrasound imaging system aimed at strengthening breast cancer detection in rural areas.

Under the partnership, the Biomedical Ultrasound Lab in the Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering at IIT Madras is designing an indigenous handheld ultrasound device intended for use in community‑level healthcare settings, including mobile screening units and primary health centers.

The initiative is backed by Intuitive’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme. Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Dr. Arun Kumar Thittai, Professor, IIT Madras, said, “India lacks indigenous medical imaging systems despite the widespread use of ultrasound in routine care. Our lab is addressing this gap by developing an advanced yet accessible screening device that allows frontline healthcare workers to perform reliable breast screening without specialized radiology training, extending early detection to villages, small towns, and remote communities through mobile units and primary health centres. Built on our proprietary ultrasound platform, the system delivers high-quality images at higher frame rates than most existing commercial scanners.”

The new device incorporates a compact surface plate to support high‑quality imaging even in resource‑limited environments and is intended to be cost‑competitive with existing imported ultrasound systems.

The program is anticipated to bolster India's health-tech innovation ecosystem in addition to its clinical applications. The project is expected to facilitate the development of AI-driven diagnostics, automated screening tools, telemedicine workflows, and new domestic intellectual property by establishing an indigenous supply of high-quality imaging data.

Commenting on the partnership, Glenn Vavoso, Senior Vice President and President, Asia Pacific, Intuitive. “Our partnership with IIT Madras reflects our commitment to supporting collaborations that translate advanced science into practical and affordable solutions for underserved populations, while demonstrating how locally driven innovation can strengthen healthcare ecosystems, empower frontline providers, and create models that benefit communities across the region. By investing in indigenous research and engineering talent, we aim to expand equitable access to care and improve outcomes for patients in rural India.”

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