Intuitive funds IIT Madras’ affordable ultrasound imaging system for early breast cancer detection in rural India

New Delhi: Intuitive Surgical, a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery, has partnered with IIT Madras to support the development of a fully indigenous portable ultrasound imaging system through its CSR funding.

The initiative is led by the Biomedical Ultrasound Lab (BUSi) in the Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering at IIT Madras and focuses on strengthening early breast cancer detection for women in rural and semi-urban regions.

In India, breast cancer survival rates remain around 66%, ^[i]compared to nearly 90% in many Western countries, largely due to delays in diagnosis and limited access to screening especially in underserved regions. By offering a reliable, portable imaging solution that can be deployed in community-level healthcare settings, the project aims to bring early breast screening closer to where women live. The addition of a compact surface plate supports consistent, high-quality scans even in resource-constrained environments. Once commercialised, the scanner is expected to be cost-competitive at entry level and can be between 20% and 50% more affordable than current mid- to high-end imported devices with comparable features.

Highlighting the vision behind the effort, 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.”

Beyond its on-ground healthcare impact, the initiative is also expected to open new opportunities for India’s health-tech innovation ecosystem. By creating an indigenous source of high-quality imaging data, the project can support development of AI-driven diagnostics, automated screening tools, telemedicine workflows, and new domestic intellectual property.

Speaking on the collaboration with Intuitive, Prof Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean – Alumni and Corporate Relations, IIT Madras said “We are grateful for the support and partnership with Intuitive, which is all set to catalyse research aimed at building an affordable ultrasound imaging system for rural India. This partnership is a compelling example of industry–academia collaboration for translating cutting-edge research into scalable, affordable healthcare solutions with real-world impact.”

“Across Asia Pacific, we see a shared challenge of improving access to early diagnosis in communities where healthcare resources are limited,” said 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.”

Adding to this, Rohitt Mahajan, Vice President and General Manager, Intuitive India, said, “Intuitive’s support for this project reflects our commitment to partnering with academic institutions that are shaping India’s medtech landscape. IIT Madras has a long-standing record of converting engineering research into practical technologies, and this project represents another step toward advancing accessible imaging solutions. We are pleased to support work that strengthens scientific capability and contributes to technologies that can improve the way healthcare is delivered in the future.”