Context: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and partner institutes have developed CEREBO, a hand-held, non-invasive indigenous diagnostic device for rapid detection of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs).
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: About CEREBO.
Key Features of CEREBO
- CEREBO is a novel hand-held, portable, non-invasive diagnostic device designed for the detection of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs).
- It utilises advanced near-infrared spectroscopy combined with machine learning to detect intracranial bleeding and brain swelling within one minute.
Benefits of CEREBO:
- Can be used by paramedic staff as well as unskilled personnel.
- Provides colour-coded, radiation-free results, making it safe for infants and pregnant women.
- Cost-effective (reduces imaging costs) as compared to conventional imaging tools.
- Offers an emergency diagnostic option when advanced tools like CT or MRI scans are inaccessible or delayed. Can be deployed in ambulances, rural clinics, military healthcare systems and disaster response units.
- Enhances early detection of TBI and improves patient outcomes.
- Reduces dependence on expensive, imported diagnostic tools.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- TBI is a condition caused by sudden trauma or injury to the head, which disrupts normal brain function. The injury may range from mild (concussion) to severe, often leading to long-term physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioural impairments.
- Nearly 1.5-2 million persons are injured every year and one million die annually in India due to TBIs. Road traffic injuries (60%) are the leading cause, followed by falls and violence.