The Department of Neurosurgery at AIIMS Patna has developed and patented an indigenous tubular brain retractor designed to enhance the safety, precision and affordability of deep-seated brain surgeries. The innovation, which has been granted a patent by the Government of India, is expected to strengthen minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures while reducing treatment costs.
The device was conceptualised and developed under the leadership of Dr Vikas Chandra Jha, Professor and Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at AIIMS Patna. According to the institute, the retractor is capable of functioning in both floating and fixed modes, giving neurosurgeons greater flexibility during complex brain surgeries.
The tubular retractor is compatible with neuronavigation systems and robotic surgical platforms, enabling highly accurate access to deep brain structures with a precision of approximately 1–2 mm. AIIMS Patna added that the device’s technical design and clinical outcomes have also been published in the peer-reviewed journal Neurosurgical Review.
Unlike conventional open brain surgery, which often requires larger skull openings and greater manipulation of healthy brain tissue, the new device creates a narrow surgical pathway to reach deep-seated brain lesions. This minimally invasive technique is expected to minimise surgical trauma, reduce blood loss, lower the risk of neurological complications after surgery, and support faster recovery with shorter hospital stays.
The institute also highlighted the economic benefits of the innovation. The indigenous retractor is estimated to cost 80-90% less to manufacture than imported alternatives, which could reduce the overall cost of minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures by 30-40%. This is expected to make advanced brain surgeries more affordable and accessible, particularly for patients from economically weaker sections.
The project was supported by a multidisciplinary team, including neurosurgeons Dr Nitish, Dr Vivek Saran Sinha, Dr Gaurav, Dr Rahul, and Dr Sangam, along with specialists from the Department of Anaesthesiology.
Commending the team, the Director of AIIMS Patna said the institute remains committed to developing cost-effective indigenous medical technologies that enhance patient outcomes while reducing surgical risks and healthcare expenses.
