Researchers from King George's Medical University (KGMU) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have developed a wearable ear-based device that may help patients manage anxiety and panic attacks through vagus nerve stimulation. This innovation offers a non-invasive therapeutic option for mental health conditions.
Patent and Development
The innovation, titled 'An Ear Device for Nerve Stimulation', has received a utility patent under the SIB SHInE programme, a collaborative healthcare innovation initiative involving KGMU and IIT Kanpur. This is the third utility patent secured under the programme for different medical device technologies.
How the Device Works
The device is designed to stimulate the vagus nerve, which plays a key role in regulating stress response, emotional balance, and autonomic nervous system functions. Developers said the wearable system delivers controlled stimulation through the ear and aims to reduce anxiety levels and help control panic attacks without invasive procedures.
Team Behind the Innovation
The device was developed by SIB SHInE Cohort-2 fellows Mohit, Himank, Darshan, and Rishabh under the mentorship of Prof Sujita Kumar Kar and Dr Amit Kumar from KGMU's department of psychiatry, and Prof Gowdham Prabhakar from IIT Kanpur's department of design.
Significance and Future Prospects
Prof Dr Rishi Sethi, executive director of SIB SHInE, said the achievement reflected the growing strength of translational healthcare research and collaboration between clinicians and engineers. Senior programme manager Sumit Kumar Vaish added that several more patent applications developed under the programme are under examination.
