Isaptent
was developed by CDRI for its use as a cervical
dilator for carrying out Medical Termination
of Pregnancy (MTP) or abortion as well as
for performing minor gynecological surgeries.
Before Isaptent was made available, Laminaria
tents were being imported which were not
only expensive but were also not readily
available. CDRI made use of the husk of
the plant,
Plantago ovata (Isapgol)
which is an agricultural product. Isapgol
has this unique property of getting swelled
in contact with water. The swelling is up
to seven times of the original volume when
the seed husk gets absorbed in water. This
swelling property has been utilized for
dilating the cervix for performing abortion
or operation. The added natural advantage
is the lubrication that the husk provides.
Isapgol seed husk is granulated and compressed
into stick of appropriate size, which are
encapsulated in cloth tubes either lined
inside with a resized paper or coated with
a thin film of micro-crystalline cellulose.
These tubes are then compressed, packed
in glass or polythene containers and sterilized
under gamma radiation.
Isaptent is being extensively used by primary
healthcare centers, family planning establishments,
hospitals and individual gynecologists for
performing MTP. The Isaptent, due to its
indigenous characteristics and abundantly
available raw materials comes quite cheap
and can be made easily available.
The Isptent is commercially made available
by M/s Unichem
Ltd, Mumbai under the brand
name Dilex 'C'.
