"The launch of this medical device is proof of ITS' commitment to developing technology in the health sector," said Bambang Pramujati, the institute's deputy rector IV, in Surabaya, East Java, on Wednesday.
The large volume of imported medical equipment and the rapid development of technology prompted ITS to develop the medical equipment by increasing the domestic component level to above 40 percent.
Besides collaborating with Airlangga University Hospital (RSUA) for the research and trials phase, the development of the new medical devices also involved the use of locally sourced components and the support of digital technology, Pramujati informed.
"Digital 3D printing technology, artificial intelligence (AI), as well as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), can be used to improve health facilities in Indonesia," he said.
Medical equipment inventor and ITS lecturer, Djoko Kuswanto, informed that the seven medical devices use integrated 3D design and digital fabrication technology.
Through fabrication technology, products can be customized and made based on consumer request, he said.
"It is expected that the use of this technology can help speed up the handling of medical cases," Kuswanto added.
The new products include AMO3D, a 3D-printed implant mold based on patient data; GUO3D, a 3D-printed work support tool; and PRO3D, a 3D-printed body protective device made using patient-specific scans.
He said that these tools are the only ones in Indonesia that combine innovation and digital technology for use in healthcare settings.
ITS has also created a product called HUMA3D in the form of a mannequin and TSM.Bones, a replica of human bones for educational purposes and clinical training for aspiring medical professionals.
The last two products are RiseHand, a tool that assists patients with amputated fingers in grasping objects, and Surgical Instrument, a range of tools for surgical operations, including scissors, knives, and tweezers.
These products, which were launched at the Jakarta Convention Center on October 18, 2023, have been used by several hospitals and universities in Indonesia, and hundreds of units of the devices have been ordered.
"So the quality of these products is no less competitive with products from developed countries," he said.
The director of PT Tekno Sains Medika, Nike Besta Sari, said that the price of the products is lower compared to other similar products.
For example, HUMA3D is being sold for just under Rp50 million (around US$3,200), which makes it cheaper compared to similar products that cost hundreds of millions of rupiah.
Using locally-made components, the new devices are produced on a pre-order system.
"As much as possible the selling price is below imported products, but does not reduce product quality," Sari said, adding that the company will hold development workshops regarding the health tools.
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Translator: Yashinta Difa Pramudyani
Editor: Anton Santoso
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