Researchers from VIT Bhopal University, in collaboration with scientists from several higher education institutions, have received an Indian utility patent for a technology aimed at improving the long-term monitoring of pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease characterised by progressive scarring of lung tissue.
The patented system, titled 'Apparatus for Dynamic Monitoring and Analysis in Pulmonary Fibrosis', is designed to continuously collect and analyse patient data, enabling clinicians to monitor disease progression more effectively. The technology is intended to support remote healthcare delivery, assist clinical decision-making and facilitate timely interventions for patients requiring long-term respiratory care.
The invention has been granted under Indian Patent No. 588547, based on Patent Application No. 202421039574, which was filed on 21 May 2024 and granted on 7 May 2026.
The research was led by Dr Rajneesh Kumar Patel and Dr Siddharth Singh Chouhan from the School of Computer Science and Engineering at VIT Bhopal University. The project also involved Dr Nancy Kumari, currently with SRM University Delhi-NCR, Dr Krishna Kumar Pandey of NIT Agartala and Amit Patel & Sunil Kumar Gautam from MANIT Bhopal.
Pulmonary fibrosis is typically monitored through periodic clinical assessments, making it difficult to track changes in a patient's condition between hospital visits. According to the researchers, the newly patented system seeks to address this challenge by enabling continuous analysis of patient data, which may support more personalised treatment planning and long-term disease management.
Commenting on the development, Kadhambari S Viswanathan, Assistant Vice President, VIT Bhopal University, said the patent reflects the institution's focus on interdisciplinary research that addresses real-world healthcare challenges through technology.
Lead researcher Dr Rajneesh Kumar Patel said the objective of the project was to create a system capable of dynamically analysing patient data to support clinicians in making informed treatment decisions and improving the continuity of respiratory care.
The university said the technology has potential applications in telemedicine, clinical decision support, respiratory disease research and remote patient monitoring. The patent also adds to the institution's growing portfolio of intellectual property developed through collaborative academic research. |
