> DNA Money, Ahmedabad Thursday, November 30, 2006

Troikaa launches infusion monitoring device

DNA Money Correspondent Ahmedabad

Troikaa Pharmaceuticals Ltd. on Wednesday launched another product based on a design of an unsung innovator:

The product is a life-drug infusion monitoring device, Accuflow. It is de signed for accurate monitoring as well as to avoid unwarranted burden on the nursing staff while patient is on a drip claimed the company.'

Claiming that Accuflow has been pre-tested at several places. Troikaa MD Ketan Patel said. '''This will help in avoiding unwarranted frantic calls and visits from patients' relatives regarding the infusion status. The readings are prominently displayed on the LED display, so that it saves time and Minimizes hassles for the paramedical staff."

Patel claimed an alarm system was installed in the device to alert if the patient was in any danger. "Accuflow is an easy-to-use device and will reduce healthcare cost, particularly as there is a shortage of paramedics across the world," he added.

Conceived by a Kolhapur-based electronic engineer Sanjeev Gokhle, this syringe monitoring system received a gold medal from Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) at IIM-A under the National Search for [innovation programme (ANVESHAN) in 2004. Accuflow was modified by Troikaa making it commercially viable and National Institute of Designing (NID) gave the final touches to its design.

> Business Standard, Ahmedabad - Thursday, November 30, 2006

Troikaa Pharma launches IV infusion system

BS REPORTER - Ahmedabad, 29 November

Ahmedabad-based Rs. 75 crore Troikaa Pharmaceuticals has launched an infusion system under the brand name of "Accuflow" for the domestic market. The company also plans to make it available to more than 35 countries worldwide.

Accuflow is an infusion system with an in-built micro-processor that measures the infusion flow rates in terms of drops per minute or ml per hour along with the total volume infused.

The device's technology is compatible with all standard IV and micro IV sets. Speaking on the occasion, Ketan Patel, managing director, Troikaa Pharmaceuticals, said, "The infusion system is unique as it will prove to be economically viable as well as user-friendly. We would be launching "Accuflow" in 35-plus countries."

The device was conceptualised by Sanjeev Gokhale, an engineer by profession, and was identified by Centre for innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) at Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A), under their national search for innovation programme.

It was further developed by Troikaa Pharma.

The Times of India, Ahmedabad - Tuesday, December 26, 2006

ACCUFLOW set for countrywide launch

Ahmedabad: Kolhapur-based Sanjiv Gokhale's innovation is all set to change the way IV fluids are administered to patients in India. His invention Accuflow, which allows nurses to preset the inflow rate and volume of IV fluid infusion and also buzzes an alarm on the completion of the fluid bottle, is all set for a country wide launch by city-based Troikaa Pharmaceuticals.

Gokhale had won a gold medal from the Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad two years back for his innovative device inflow that proposed to introduce a more precise and cost effective method to monitor intravenous (IV) drug infusions and blood transfusions.

Troikaa was identified to improve upon the product, conduct clinical trials and market the same. The device was tested in four hospitals across the country and will be launch in its new avatar as Accuflow next week.

"The microprocessor based device now has a printed circuit board and a rechargeable battery. Moreover, the alarm is softer on the doctors' insistence," Troikaa MD Ketan Patel said.

In present hospital practice, the monitoring of the number of drops falling per minute into the drip chamber of the IV set is done manually by hospital nurses, increasing the scope of human error.

Moreover many times the completion of the IV fluid administration goes unnoticed by the nursing staff resulting in panic calls from the relatives.

''Apart from monitoring the inflow rate which is prominently displayed, the devise also has sensors which detect faulty IV sets", said Patel.

Patel said Accuflow has already been installed in a number of corporate hospitals in Ahmedabad and they are looking for a successful hospital launch since the device is competitively priced.

"The device costs Rs 2,880 and can significantly reduce the burden of IV fluid monitoring on the nursing staff," he added.

The Times of India, Ahmedabad - Sunday, December 24, 2006

Each drop counts

Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) at IIM-A, has, under their National Search for Innovation Programme ANVESHAN, awarded a gold medal to Kolhapur's Sanjeev Gokhale, for his unique infusion flow monitor invention - Accuflow. The smart infusion system, which is one of its kind in the world, is a microprocessor controlled device which accurately measures infusion flow rates in terms of drops/minute or ml/hr and total volume infused. Accuflow is compatible with all standard IV and micro IV sets, while also detecting faulty IV sets with defective drip chambers. It has an inbuilt alarm system that can be triggered with drop rate deviation and/or total volume completion, and consists of an arrangement which can accommodate drip chambers of various shapes and sizes. Accuflow, which has been successfully evaluated in clinical settings at various medical centres across the country, prominently displays the readings on the LED display, thus enabling the medical staff to keep a tab on multiple beds.

Express News Service : Ahmedabad, 29 November 2006

ACCUFLOW first product to be supported by IIM-A scheme

Troikaa Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has come out with a revolutionary device that measures rate of infusion flow in terms of drops per minute and total volume of IV fluid infused in a patient.

Accuflow, as the product is named, is a microprocessor controlled device, result of an award- winning research by Kolhapur - based engineer Sanjeev Gokhale.

Incidentally, Accuflow is the first product that has been supported by Anveshan programme of the IIM-A under its Center for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE), which was set up in 2001 with Government support.

At the launch programme here on Wednesday, Troikaa managing director Ketan Patel said the product would add value to infusion and his company was to export it to 35 countries. An application for its patent had already been filed, he added.

Sanjeev Gokhale, the innovator said the idea for the product was in his mind since 1989 and it ultimately came out some time back after which clinical trials were conducted and now it was launched by Troikaa. He said the National Institute of Design (NID) had improved upon its design.

According to Dr. G. P. Dureja of Delhi Pain Management Center and Dr. Bipin Patel, the secretary, Gujarat State Branch of the Indian Medical Association, Ahmedabad, the device was capable of averting medical emergencies caused by reasons like over infusion, besides providing duty nurses great relief in monitoring the drip flow.

They said it was successfully tested in different conditions and situations at hospitals.

Priced at Rs. 2,800, Accuflow is 40 times cheaper than electronic pump infusion sets though it is not a perfect substitute for these, said Troikaa MD Ketan Patel. It is a boon to small hospitals which are hard pressed for staff. Gokhale said his next stop would be to add more value to Accuflow by inventing an attachment to it that should work as infusion set.

The Times of India : 31 August 2006

IIM A promoted infusion monitor set for a world launch

By Raheel Dhattiwalal/TNN

Ahmedabad: In August last year, the Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad awarded the gold medal to Kolhapur's Sanjiv Gokhale for his unique infusion flow rate monitor. Today, after clinical and market tests on the product concluded recently, Ahmedabad-based Troikaa Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has picked up the gauntlet of marketing the product in 30 countries, including India.

"Clinical studies for the product conducted at KEM Hospital, Mumbai, concluded four months ago. In the next three months, clinical trials will be conducted at hospitals around India, including AIIMS Delhi. An informal nod has been given by the Drug Controller General of India and once we get written permission, we will launch the product formally," informs Ketan Patel, managing director of Troikaa Pharmaceuticals. Market tests and surveys were conducted in seven states of India, including nursing homes in Gujarat the latter by students of IIM-A."

Gokhale's innovative 'Inflo' proposes to introduce a more precise and cost-effective method to monitor intravenous (I.V.) drug infusions and blood transfusions. In present hospital practice, the monitoring of the number of drops falling per minute into the drip chamber of the I.V. set is done manually by hospital nurses, increasing the scope of human error. Alternatively, disposable dial gauges which are cheaper than infusion pumps are also used.

"Infusion pumps are high precision devices but cost around Rs 30,000. Even high-end hospitals cannot afford to have one for each bed. The Inflo meter costs far less than an infusion pump and is a one time investment as well," says Somnath Chatterjee, CEO of CIIE.

While Patel does not call it a substitute to the infusion pump which also controls infusions besides monitoring, it is "a cost-effective device which offers more precision than manual monitoring". The launch price proposed by Troikaa Pharmaceuticals for the infusion flow rate monitor is Rs 4,000.

Medically, it is important to give dosage of infusion or blood in ml/hr or in calculations prescribed by the doctor or the drug manufacturer. Any change in the infusion monitoring can prove to be harmful to the patient's health. Moreover, informs Gokhale, "When no flow is taking place, I. V. fluid or blood may flow back causing discomfort to the patient. The inflo can continuously monitor and display the drip flow rate and also inform the nurse when no flow occurs, by setting off an alarm."