American medical technology manufacturer, Allurion Technologies has launched its swallowable gastric balloon capsule for weight loss in India. The company, at the launch event, informed that it is the only medical weight-loss device fully approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), India’s apex regulatory body for medical devices. The device has been launched in over 55 countries now, and it claims to be the world’s first and only swallowable gastric balloon for weight loss.
How is it administered?
The device is administered in just a 15-minute visit to the Allurion clinic. The patient has to swallow the Allurion Swallowable Capsule which is a safe and temporary vegan capsule that contains a deflated gastric balloon.
Once in the stomach, a healthcare professional uses a catheter to inflate the balloon with 550ml of liquid and the procedure is followed up with a simple X-ray to ensure the balloon is in the right position. No surgery, endoscopy or anaesthesia is required for this procedure.
How does it work?
The balloon is roughly the size of a grapefruit and has a polyurethane membrane that expands. When it reaches full capacity, it slowly degrades itself over the course of time and is ultimately excreted at the end of four months (16 weeks).
The inflated balloon is aimed to create a feeling of fullness to help with controlling feelings of hunger, ultimately training the individual in diet control.
The device is accompanied by a weighing scale and a smartphone application that allows tracking of weight loss and communication between the patient and their care team. The care team may include nutritionists, physicians and psychologists.
The company claims the device can help patients lose up to 10-15 percent of their body weight in 16 weeks and the results can last a lifetime.
By the time the balloon passes, the patient develops new food preferences and adjusted to smaller portion sizes, which leads to sustained results.
Safety
A key study on the safety and efficacy of the device was evaluated in a multi-centre (19 centres, located in Europe and West Asia), prospective, non-randomised, open-label study. The results were published in August 2020. The study observed 1,770 patients and found that they lost 14.2 percent of total body weight during the programme.
During the press conference, Dr Shantanu Gaur, Founder, and CEO of Allurion said that the Allurion Program has treated more than 1,00,000 patients safely in partnership with 600 clinics worldwide.
Cost of the programme
The Allurion Weight Loss Capsule programme will cost Rs 3 Lakh which includes the cost of the complete cycle, the devices, the scale, the watch and the digital app.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
First Published: Sept 14, 2022 5:38 PM IST
Check out our in-depth Market Coverage, Business News & get real-time Stock Market Updates on CNBC-TV18. Also, Watch our channels CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz and CNBC Bajar Live on-the-go!
Exclusive | NDA will cross 400 mark before 12:30 pm on June 4, can win all 80 seats in UP, says Amit Shah
May 2, 2024 12:47 PM
View | Congress manifesto vs BJP's wealth redistribution narrative — is it something out of nothing
May 2, 2024 9:10 AM
Two days left for filing nomination, Congress undecided on candidates for Amethi and Rae Bareli seats
May 2, 2024 7:32 AM
Lok Sabha polls: Polling time in Telangana increased by an hour, here's why
May 2, 2024 6:55 AM