Around 50 implants have already been done on patients from economically-weaker sections. The Institute has partnered with ZorioX Innovation labs, a start-up founded by Dental Surgeons in Chennai, to implement this initiative, which is based on metal 3D Printing or additive manufacturing.

One of the most devastating effects of this disease is the loss of facial features, which can have a profound impact on the patient’s mental and emotional well-being, say sources from IIT Madras.

The fungus responsible for mucormycosis can invade the tissues of the face, causing necrosis and disfigurement. In severe cases, patients may lose their nose, eyes, or even their entire face, say sources from IIT Madras.

Furthermore, the loss of vital organs can affect a patient’s ability to breathe, eat, and communicate, making it difficult to perform everyday activities, say sources from IIT Madras.

Reconstructive Surgery

Reconstructive surgery is a viable solution for patients who have lost their facial features due to black fungus disease.

These procedures involve the reconstruction of the nose, eyes, and other facial structures using a variety of techniques, such as skin grafts, tissue expansion, and microvascular surgery, say sources from IIT Madras.

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These procedures can help restore the patient’s appearance and function, allowing them to lead a more normal life.

However, patient-specific implants and procedures are expensive, rendering them inaccessible for people from weaker sections.

He said additive manufacturing (3D printing) has already emerged as a viable and cost effective, net shape manufacturing process for low volume production of complex body implants with specific custom-made designs.

In-house algorithms

Dr. Murugaiyan Amirthalingam added, “Using unique in-house algorithms, a patient’s MRI/CT data is converted to printable CAD format and custom implants are printed from medical-grade titanium using an indigenously-built laser powder bed facility in IIT Madras.

This #Right2Face initiative aims to help poor and needy patients with patient-specific custom maxillofacial implants to treat black fungus patients, he said.

Extensive research activities are already being carried out in IIT Madras to commercialise this technology for printing patient-specific implants in stainless steel, Ti-6Al-4V and Co-Cr-Mo alloys, he said.

To save the lives of the patient, a lot of facial bones had to be removed. These patients are mostly breadwinners of the family and are now confined within four walls because of their facial deformity, he said.

#Right2face movement is aimed to help these needy patients in association with the oral and maxillofacial surgeons to restore the faces and give them back their smile, he said.

Unique Initiative

What makes this initiative unique is that IIT Madras team is able to print the implant exactly to match the patients’ face.

The Researchers get the patients’ CT Data from which we design a specific implant that will suit the patient perfectly.

IIT Madras is among the first to print such implants for black fungus patients specifically.

IIT Madras researchers are also identifying patients who cannot afford costly imported implants and giving these implants free of cost under the campaign called #Right2Face.

Zoriox Innovations Labs, with whom IIT Madras has a tie-up, takes part of the surgical procedures while IIT Madras handles the Design and 3D Printing.

The implants are made of medical-grade titanium, which are commonly used for reconstructive procedures.

The event which will take place from 17 to 20 November 2024 at Sharda University campus will have discussions on innovations in Secure 6G and AI-driven Wireless Personal Multimedia Communication, bringing together experts to share insights.

Vice Chancellor of Sharda University

Dr. Sibaram Khara, Vice-Chancellor, Sharda University said that the international symposium will be held from November 17 to 20 at campus.

Notable keynote speakers include Sangeet Kumar (Adverb Robotics, India), Dilip Krisnaswamy (C-DoT, India), Hsuan-Jung Su (NTU, Taiwan), and Anand Prasad (Deloitte Tohmatsu Cyber, Japan), who will share insights on cutting-edge developments and their potential applications.

With participants from over 25 countries, the symposium will showcase a global exchange of ideas, he said.

The university played a pivotal role in bringing this symposium to India, where experts will explore AI-adapted 6G networks addressing global challenges in secure communications and energy-efficient systems.

The future is headed towards Artificial Intelligence and 6G networking, he said.

About Sharda University

It is a known name in the field of higher education, its accomplishments in the world of academics have earned it a place among the top educational institutions in India.

The institution has a strong focus on providing world class education to the students, who arrive at the institution in great numbers every year to study various courses.

The dynamic management of Sharda University has taken giant strides in promoting the scientific methodologies for career selection among the youth via its highly successful career counseling program.

Vision of this institution is to serve the society by being a global University of higher learning in pursuit of academic excellence, innovation and nurturing entrepreneurship.

Organization aims to create high-quality and flexible collaborative research space and culture that enable and promote knowledge creation.

It also desires to encourage involvement of students in research and also strengthen entrepreneurial and innovation culture among students.

The organization also encourages students to become lifelong learners and imbibe essential skills to serve the society at the highest level.

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