A child scientist from Gujarat, with the help of the Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST), received a patent for a cradle device to help children with cerebral palsy.
The device, created by Shruti Patel, a resident of Aravalli district when she was just around 14 years old, was granted the patent on May 17, 2024. The patent was filed on October 1, 2020, and it took 3 years and 7 months for it to be granted.
Shruti at present is a first-year student of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Neurology and is interning at HOPE Hospital in Himmatnagar.
The device was made with the help of Dr Jignesh R. Suthar and Solanki Upendrasinh Devisinh, who are co-filers of the patent. They were aided in this endeavour by GUJCOST, working under the aegis of the Dept of Science & Technology, Govt of Gujarat. The patent is valid for 20 years starting from the date of filing.
Cerebral Palsy is a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood and is characterised by symptoms such as poor coordination, stiff and weak muscles, tremors, and challenges with sensation, vision, hearing, swallowing, and speech.
The cradle device, provide effective physical therapy, consists of a supportive frame with a rocking bar, a crank and rocker mechanism connected to an input power source, and a flexible supporting platform with attachment points at each corner. This platform is linked to multiple hook spreader bars attached to the rocking bar, allowing the device to deliver therapeutic vestibular stimulation through rolling motion.