A Hyderabad-based pharmacist has developed a wearable pain-relief device after witnessing his mother’s prolonged battle with severe knee pain. The innovation, called Curapod, is designed to help people manage chronic pain conditions through light-based therapy without relying heavily on medication.
The device was created by Surya Maguluri, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Litemed. According to Maguluri, his mother’s worsening knee pain significantly affected her daily life and mobility, motivating him to search for an alternative approach to pain management.
Curapod is a compact wearable device that uses photobiomodulation (PBM), a technology that employs red and near-infrared light to support the body’s natural healing processes. The therapy is intended to improve blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and help alleviate pain associated with conditions such as arthritis, sciatica, frozen shoulder, and other musculoskeletal disorders.
“I remember when my mother and her friends went on a pilgrimage,” recalls Surya Maguluri. “While everyone else walked around easily, my mother could only join them later in the day because she was in so much pain. It kept getting worse to the point where she couldn’t climb stairs and had to rely entirely on the elevator.”
Founded by Maguluri and Sriram Velliyur, Litemed has recorded significant growth, with more than 30,000 Curapod units sold over the past year. The company states that the device has been used in over 200,000 pain-management sessions so far.
The wearable, measuring just 4.8 cm in diameter, was developed after multiple design improvements to enhance comfort, portability, and effectiveness. A standard therapy session lasts 30 minutes, after which the device automatically switches off to prevent overuse.
Maguluri emphasized that Curapod is not intended to replace medical treatment but rather to complement therapies such as physiotherapy and prescribed medication. The goal is to help users manage pain more effectively while potentially reducing dependence on painkillers.
The device underwent clinical testing and received several safety certifications before its market launch. It is registered with India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) as a certified medical device.
Designed and manufactured in Hyderabad, Curapod reflects the growing strength of India’s med-tech sector and highlights how personal experiences can inspire healthcare innovations aimed at improving everyday quality of life.
