World over 100 million people are subjected to a state of bedridden life due to medical problems like accidents, paralysis, spine problems and more. A bed-bound life lowers the person’s ability to live life fully but also decreases their dignity. Such patients require assistance for everything. Simple things like eating and using the washroom become dependent on others. 

While a device that helps drain urine from the bladder, a foley catheter, has been in the market for a while. A device to drain stool was surprisingly absent. Adult diapers were one solution that could tackle this problem. The usage of diapers also meant that one person was needed to change and dispose of the used diaper. But diapers come with their own set of problems like stool entering the urinary tract and causing urinary infections. 

Then in a collaboration event between All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Stanford University, Nishith Chasmawala and Amit Sharma met. They planned to deal with this and create a proper stool management device. In 2012, they started Consure Medical in New Delhi. Consure was the short form for ‘Continence Assure’. 

Their first product was Qora, a kit used for faecal containment. Qora helps drain stool via the anal cavity and collects it in a disposable bag. It requires the intervention of no trained person and creates no additional risk for the patient. Their second product, QiVi, helps in external urine management for men. They collaborated with hospitals to lend their solutions for bedridden patients suffering from diarrhoea to complete paralysis. 

The project was funded by the Department of Biotechnology, Indian Angel Network, Accel Partners, India Innovation Fund, India Venture Partners and Jungle Ventures. Till now they have raised over ₹3.6 crores. They have entered 10 geographies including the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, India and more. They operate in 200+ hospitals.

Will Consure be able to tap into the international market and provide bedridden patients a chance at dignified hygiene?