News: ICMR confirms clinical validation of CEREBO for rapid, deployable TBI screening across emergency settings.
About CEREBO
- It is a device for Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) that detects intracranial bleeding and edema within a minute.
- It delivers radiation-free, colour-coded, and cost-effective results.
- It is safe for infants and pregnant women.
- Developed by: It has been developed through a collaboration between ICMR, the Medical Device & Diagnostics Mission Secretariat, AIIMS Bhopal, NIMHANS Bengaluru, and Bioscan Research.
- Technology applied: It has been developed using advanced near-infrared spectroscopy technology powered by machine learning, which enables rapid non-invasive assessment of brain injury indicators.
- Significance:
- It provides an option in settings where CT or MRI access is inaccessible or delayed.
- It enables faster decisions by detecting intracranial bleeding and edema within a minute for early TBI identification.
- It is designed for deployment in ambulances, trauma centres, rural clinics, and disaster response units to strengthen frontline care.
- It can be used by paramedic staff and unskilled personnel to support effective frontline triage.
- It is backed by clinical validation, regulatory approvals, and feasibility studies as stated by ICMR.
About Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- TBI is a condition caused by a sudden trauma or injury to the head, which disrupts normal brain function.
- Causes: This injury can range from mild (concussion) to severe, often resulting in long-term physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioural impairments.
- Severity: The severity of TBI depends on factors such as the force of impact, the location of the injury, and the individual’s overall health.
- Status in India
- It is estimated that nearly 1.5 to 2 million persons are injured and one million succumb to death every year in India.
- Road traffic injuries are the leading cause (60%) of TBIs followed by falls (20%-25%) and violence (10%).
