Engineering Innovation in Gastroenterology
At the Sindh Institute of Advanced Endoscopy and Gastroenterology (SIAG), research and innovation are not just academic pursuits they are lifelines for delivering equitable, world-class care in a resource-constrained setting.
As Pakistan navigates the challenges of being a lower-middle income country, the cost of imported endoscopic tools and training equipment can severely limit access to life-saving procedures. SIAG has responded to this challenge by spearheading the local development and mass production of essential endoscopy-related products, significantly reducing dependency on costly imports and empowering a self-sustaining model of excellence.
Our In-House Innovations
The following products have been designed, developed, and are being used in large volumes during complex procedures at SIAG all free of cost to patients:
- PEG Tubes (24 Fr & 18 Fr) – used for providing long-term nutritional support directly into the stomach.
- Disposable Distal Caps for 190-Series ERCP Scopes – facilitate precise cannulation and visualization during ERCP.
- Savary Glide Wires (0.35 x 230 cm, stainless steel) – essential for navigating tight strictures during dilations or therapeutic endoscopy.
- Suction Polyp Traps (4-chamber) – allow for collection and separation of polyps during colonoscopy for pathology.
- EHL Probes – used for breaking difficult biliary and pancreatic stones using electrohydraulic lithotripsy.
- EUS Needles (19G FNA and 22G FNB) – designed for sampling tissue under ultrasound guidance with high precision.
- Disposable Mouth Guards (Adult and Pediatric) – provide oral protection during upper GI endoscopic procedures.
- PEG Tube Protective Belts – secure and protect PEG tubes from accidental dislodgment during daily activities.
- Guidewire Training Model with Liver Tree – a custom-built simulator to practice guidewire handling and biliary navigation.
- Simulators for ERCP, Colonoscopy, Polypectomy, and EUS – high-fidelity training tools used to enhance hands-on skill-building for advanced fellows.
Currently in production:
- PEG Replacement Buttons (24 Fr & 18 Fr) used to replace original PEG tubes without requiring repeat endoscopy.
- CBD Plastic Stents – placed during ERCP to relieve biliary obstruction.
- EUS Simulator – a high-precision model to train fellows in endoscopic ultrasound-guided procedures.
Why It Matters
These tools are produced at a fraction of international cost, yet they meet the technical and procedural demands of complex, advanced gastroenterological care. Their impact extends far beyond logistics:
For Patients:
- Ensure that even the most advanced procedures are accessible to the poorest and most vulnerable, free of cost.
- Improve clinical outcomes by supporting safe, evidence-based interventions.
- Reduce waiting times and dependency on private sector care.
For SIAG:
- Lower supply costs, allowing SIAG to maximize its funding and serve more patients.
- Reinforce SIAG’s role as a national leader in high-impact, low-cost innovation.
- Promote financial sustainability and operational independence.
For Training & Innovation:
- Equip fellows with realistic training environments to build confidence before handling real patients.
- Foster a homegrown culture of research, design, and invention within Pakistan’s public health sector.
- Demonstrate that international standards can be met through local ingenuity.
A National First
No other institution in Pakistan has undertaken such a bold, comprehensive initiative to design and manufacture its own endoscopic tools and simulators. This unique effort places SIAG at the forefront of medical innovation in public healthcare setting a powerful example for what is possible when service meets creativity and science meets compassion.
By bringing cutting-edge tools to life within our own walls, SIAG remains firmly committed to its founding vision:
to provide high-quality, dignified, and free gastrointestinal care for every patient, every time.
