In a significant advancement for stroke treatment, the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) has successfully completed clinical trials for a state-of-the-art mechanical thrombectomy device called Supernova. This device, engineered by professionals of Indian descent in the United States and produced in collaboration with a facility in Hyderabad, is intended to efficiently remove blood clots from brain arteries in stroke patients.
The findings from this research, referred to as the Grassroot Trial, were presented at the World Stroke Congress held in Barcelona from October 22 to 24. According to Dr. Sunil Narayan, Head of Neurology at Jipmer, the device has been approved by the Drug Controller General of India for commercial distribution. The results indicated that Supernova”s safety and effectiveness are on par with expensive imported systems currently utilized in stroke treatments.
Once produced in India, Supernova is projected to be 50–70% less expensive than its imported counterparts, which will significantly increase accessibility to advanced stroke therapies for public hospitals and patients in lower-income countries.
This achievement coincides with the observance of World Stroke Day, which emphasizes the urgency of rapid treatment. Medical professionals stress that timely intervention is critical, as clot-dissolving medications yield the best results within 3 to 4.5 hours after a stroke begins. Mechanical thrombectomy remains a viable option for patients who seek treatment within a window of six to seven hours.
In addition to the clinical advancements, Jipmer hosted an awareness program that attracted over 100 patients and caregivers. This event featured interactive discussions on emergency responses and long-term care, along with educational materials distributed in Tamil. Students also performed a skit to illustrate common stroke warning signs.
To enhance medical responses in the area, Jipmer organized a Continuing Medical Education program focused on stroke care, which took place on October 26, engaging more than 50 doctors. Dr. P Vijaya, President of the Indian Stroke Association, was a distinguished guest and unveiled the Jipmer Stroke Guidelines during the event.
Dr. Narayan noted that Jipmer has progressively developed its stroke care capabilities. The facility now provides around-the-clock services, including thrombolysis, neurosurgical decompression, mechanical thrombectomy, and advanced robotic neuro-rehabilitation.
Dr. Vinod Kumar, Medical Superintendent, mentioned that all emergency stroke services are available 24/7 at no cost under government health initiatives. Plans are underway to integrate pre-hospital stroke care with emergency services to ensure patients receive timely treatment. Furthermore, Dr. Pankaj Kundra, Acting Dean, announced the intention to establish a dedicated neuroscience center that will provide 24-hour MRI access for complex and late-arriving stroke cases.
