Intuitive Surgical has partnered with IIT Madras through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative to support the development of an affordable, fully indigenous portable ultrasound imaging system aimed at improving early breast cancer screening in rural and semi-urban India.
The project is being led by the Biomedical Ultrasound Lab (BUSi) at the Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering, IIT Madras. It focuses on translating advanced ultrasound imaging technology into a compact, portable screening device designed for use in low-resource healthcare settings.
India continues to face a significant gap in breast cancer outcomes, with survival rates estimated at around 66 per cent, compared with nearly 90 per cent in many Western countries. This disparity is largely attributed to delayed diagnosis and limited access to screening facilities, particularly in underserved regions. The portable ultrasound system is intended to address these challenges by enabling community-level screening and bringing early detection services closer to women in rural areas.
The device is being designed for use by frontline healthcare workers with minimal training and will feature a compact surface plate to ensure consistent, high-quality imaging in resource-constrained environments. Once commercialised, the system is expected to be cost-competitive at the entry level and potentially 20 to 50 per cent more affordable than existing mid- to high-end imported ultrasound systems with similar capabilities.
Beyond its immediate clinical application, the initiative is expected to contribute to India’s broader health-tech and medtech ecosystem. The development of an indigenous imaging platform could support future advancements in AI-enabled diagnostics, automated screening tools, telemedicine integration, and the creation of domestic intellectual property.
The collaboration underscores the role of industry–academia partnerships in addressing public health challenges through scalable, locally developed technologies. The project is expected to play a key role in expanding equitable access to breast cancer screening, enabling earlier diagnosis, and improving outcomes for women in rural and remote parts of India.
