Chennai: Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore have collaborated to create PLUTO (Plug and Train Robot), a cost-effective and portable robotic device designed for hand rehabilitation. This innovative device addresses a critical need for affordable and adaptable rehabilitation tools in India, bridging the gap in accessibility for patients recovering from strokes, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, or hand surgeries.
Key Features of PLUTO:
- Compact & Portable Design: Enables therapy at the bedside or for wheelchair-based patients, making it suitable for home and clinical use.
- Therapy Tools: Provides adaptive assistance and therapeutic gaming to improve wrist and hand functions, including flexion, extension, and pronation.
- Cost-Effective Manufacturing: Designed with low-cost fabrication methods and recyclable materials, promoting affordability and sustainability.
- Modularity: Interchangeable handles cater to different therapy needs, reducing the need for multiple devices.
- Real-World Testing: Successfully tested in Indian homes and clinics, with over 1,000 patients benefiting from its use in the last four years.
Collaborative Success and Impact:
PLUTO, developed by Prof. Sujatha Srinivasan (IIT Madras), Prof. Sivakumar Balasubramanian (CMC Vellore), and Dr. Aravind Nehrujee (Ph.D. scholar), has been commercialized by Thryv Rehab Solutions through IIT Madras’ Technology Transfer Office. The device has been deployed across 11 clinics in India and is in routine use at CMC Vellore, aiding around 15 patients per week.
Revolutionizing Rehabilitation:
According to Prof. Srinivasan, “PLUTO revolutionizes hand rehabilitation by offering an affordable and accessible solution for post-stroke recovery. Its portability ensures timely and consistent therapy, improving outcomes while reducing dependency on caregivers.”
Prof. Sivakumar Balasubramanian highlighted PLUTO’s adaptability, noting, “Unlike conventional rehabilitation robots, PLUTO’s modularity and low cost make it suitable for bedside, wheelchair-based, and home use, addressing a long-standing need in Indian healthcare.”
Future Prospects:
The collaboration between IIT Madras and CMC Vellore is expected to lead to more innovations in assistive devices, with PLUTO paving the way for affordable rehabilitation solutions. The device’s scalable design supports mass production, promoting widespread adoption across hospitals, clinics, and homes.
This breakthrough exemplifies how academic research can be translated into impactful products, significantly improving healthcare accessibility for patients in need.
