Dr. Nageswara Rao Koneti, Head of Pediatric Cardiology at Rainbow Children’s Heart Institute, Hyderabad, has received a United States patent on Wednesday for his breakthrough innovation, the KONAR-MF ™  (Multifunctional) Occluder, a device designed to close septal defects .The patent follows patents previously granted ones in India, Europe Euro-African countries and South Korea between 2021 and 2023. The Indian patent, granted in February 2023, came after rigorous evaluation, reflecting the device’s utility.

Redefining the standard in heart defect closure

The KONAR-MF™ occluder addresses a long-standing clinical gap by offering a single, adaptable solution to close a variety of defects including muscular ventricular septal defects to pulmonary artery collaterals. Unlike traditional occluders designed for a single-purpose use the KONAR adjusts dynamically to the shape and flow profile of each defect, allowing for precise and safer deployment in diverse scenarios. This design reduces the risk of complications and improves patient outcomes.

The occluder is in use across Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Africa, with over 20 studies confirming its safety and efficacy. Manufactured by Lifetech Scientific, it is priced at Rs 50,000 in India. Its affordability makes it useful in expanding access to care and reducing the burden of congenital heart diseases. By significantly lowering the cost of intervention and enabling broader access has the potential to reduce the disease burden of untreated congenital heart defects, which remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children in low- and middle-income countries.

Future Outlook

Dr. Nageswara Rao Koneti stated, “Receiving the U.S. patent is a moment of great pride—not just for me, but for Indian science. It reaffirms that innovations designed in India can meet the highest global standards and serve patients worldwide. This recognition motivates continued work towards affordable, scalable solutions in pediatric care.” The KONAR device is now closer to obtaining FDA approval—enabling broader access across North America.

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