The tool requires only 30 minutes of training to operate and can be handled by paramedical staff or first responders.
Published Aug 30, 2025 | 12:22 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 30, 2025 | 12:22 AM
Representational image. Credit: iStock
Synopsis: Priced at around ₹15 lakh, CEREBO is far cheaper than CT or MRI machines, which can cost several crores. Its portability allows use in ambulances, trauma centres, rural clinics, military operations, and disaster response units. Besides, there is already international interest in the technology. Developers report enquiries from African countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, as well as from the Gulf region.
India’s health research agency – Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – has urged state governments to procure and deploy CEREBO, a fully indigenous, handheld device designed to detect life-threatening brain injuries within minutes.
The tool, shaped like a small dryer, can identify intracranial bleeding and edema in under two minutes, potentially reducing trauma-related deaths and disabilities.
Developed in 2023 through a collaboration between ICMR’s Medical Device and Diagnostics Mission Secretariat (MDMS), AIIMS Bhopal, NIMHANS Bengaluru, and Bioscan Research, the device has been clinically validated, tested for feasibility, and cleared by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of India’s gravest health challenges. According to the Indian Head Injury Foundation, the country reports over 100,000 deaths and one million serious cases of head injuries every year, mainly from road accidents, falls, and sports-related trauma.
ICMR Director-General Dr Rajiv Bahl noted, “TBI is a major public health challenge, particularly in emergency settings. Traditional methods, such as the Glasgow Coma Scale, are prone to errors and subjective interpretations, while imaging techniques require specialised infrastructure, trained personnel, and are cost-intensive.”
He added that half of those who die from TBI do so within the first two hours of injury, underlining the urgency for rapid diagnosis and intervention.
“30 percent of those who currently die from head injuries could be saved if quality care were available to them sooner,” Dr Bahl said.
CEREBO uses advanced near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) supported by machine learning to detect bleeding. By analysing how near-infrared light interacts with hemoglobin in the brain, the device produces color-coded, radiation-free results.
Explaining its function, Dr Bahl said, “We use CT scans to detect brain injuries. This device is an easy alternative to check for bleeding in the brain. It has received approval from DCGI.”
A scientist involved in the development of the device explained that one of its main strengths lies in a sophisticated algorithm that removes the need for expert interpretation of the results. The detector is also equipped with self-calibration and a simple, intuitive interface, making it very easy to operate, even for users with minimal training.
The tool requires only 30 minutes of training to operate and can be handled by paramedical staff or first responders.
Priced at around ₹15 lakh, CEREBO is far cheaper than CT or MRI machines, which can cost several crores. Its portability allows use in ambulances, trauma centres, rural clinics, military operations, and disaster response units.
“This compact design allows for point-of-care detection, making it suitable for use in military, sports, emergency, or urgent care environments,” and added that, “This device, if used in tier-3 cities and rural areas, can immensely help reduce the burden of deaths and morbidities due to traumas. We, therefore, want states to utilise the tool on a wider scale and effectively,” said Dr Bahl highlighting the device’s global significance.
While experts caution that the tool is not a complete replacement for CT scans, studies published in Neurology India highlight that CEREBO can provide hospital-grade diagnostic support at the point of care, particularly where advanced imaging is unavailable.
Dr Bahl said the device has been “designed for deployment in ambulances, trauma centres, rural clinics, and disaster response units, enhancing early TBI detection and patient outcomes.”
Though developed in India, there is already international interest in the technology. Developers report enquiries from African countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, as well as from the Gulf region.
As awareness spreads, ICMR hopes that state governments will integrate the device into emergency healthcare pathways, helping save lives during the crucial golden hour after head injuries.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
