IIT Madras Collaborated with Zoriox to Launch 3D Printed Face Implants For Black Fungus Patients; Check Details

New Delhi: Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has developed 3D-printed face implants for people suffering from Black Fungus. This was developed in collaboration with ZorioX Innovation labs, a start-up founded by Dental Surgeons in Chennai.

IIT Madras has successfully carried around 50 implants on patients from economically-weaker sections.

Elaborating on this technology developed by IIT Madras, Dr. Murugaiyan Amirthalingam, Associate Professor, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, IIT Madras, 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. 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."

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."

Speaking about this initiative, Dr. Karthik Balaji, CEO, ZorioX Innovation labs, said, "Post-Covid there has been an increase in number of black fungus cases. 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. #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. "

How does the 3D Face Implant Help?

Black Fungus disease or Mucormycosis affects the tissues of the face, causing necrosis and disfigurement. In severe cases, patients may lose their nose, eyes, or even their entire face. Furthermore, the loss of vital organs can affect a patient's ability to breathe, eat, and communicate, making it difficult to perform everyday activities. This can also have a profound impact on the patient's mental and emotional well-being.

Reconstructive surgery is the only option patients had to restore their appearance and function, allowing them to lead a more normal life making it the need of the hour. Reports suggest that about 60,000 mucormycosis cases have been registered in India post-COVID.

One of the most unique features of the face implant developed by IIT Madras is that they can be made to look exactly like the face of the person. 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.

The institute is also planning to identify patients who cannot afford costly imported implants and give these implants free of cost under the campaign called #Right2Face.

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