Sonam Rana updated Content Curator updated
Content Curator updated
New Delhi: Indian Institute of Technology, IIT Madras Researchers have launched India’s first indigenously developed Polycentric Prosthetic Knee.
With an aim to improve the quality of life for thousands of above-knee amputees, the IIT Madras has introduced the polycentric prosthetic Knee.
In association with Society for Biomedical Technology (SBMT) and Mobility India, the ‘Made in India’ product is named as ‘Kadam,’ which is a polycentric knee for Above Knee Prosthesis.
Kadam enables the above-knee amputees to walk with a comfortable gait. Apart from mobility, it also aims to enhance the quality of life of users through increased community participation, access to education, livelihood opportunities and overall well-being.
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A team at TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2) at IIT Madras has developed the polycentric knee, who had earlier developed and commercialized ‘Arise,’ the country’s first standing wheelchair and NeoFly-NeoBolt: active wheelchair and motorized add-on for seamless indoor-outdoor mobility.
R2D2 centre is involved in research associated with the human movement, and the design and development of rehabilitation and assistive devices for people with movement impairments.
Further, the R2D2 researchers said that Kadam has advantages over a hinge joint due to its multiple axes of rotation, that provides the user greater control over the prosthesis while walking and maximum knee flexion of 160 degrees, making it easier to sit in cramped spaces such as buses and autos.
Kadam has been specially designed for durability with high strength stainless steel and aluminium alloy along with hard chrome plated EN8 pins and high fatigue life polymer bushings, the researchers said.
An NGO in Bengaluru, Mobility India, has decided to mass manufacture and take Kadam to the Indian market along with overseeing the processes of fitment, training and ensuring easier access for the users.
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Addressing the event virtually, Thiru Johny Tom Varghese IAS, State Commissioner for PWD, Government of Tamil Nadu, said that technology bridges the gap between the world of a Differently Abled Person with that of others.
It is phenomenal to see how technology can usher in inclusion in all walks of life. Kadam is an amazing innovation, along with other similarly path-breaking products that were developed by R2D2 IIT Madras, making technology accessible and affordable, Varghese said.
Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, who was also present in the virtual event congratulated the R2D2 researchers on the successful commercialization of Kadam.
He said that in order to lead a healthy life in the future, the need of technology to meet health and medicine is crucial. Kadam is yet another example to justify this requirement.
The institute is extremely delighted that its research and development efforts are translating to products that could be of beneficial use to mankind.
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Kadam is indigenously developed with high quality and performance, complying with ISO 10328 standards including 30 lakh cycles of fatigue testing.
Apart from providing stability, Kadam reduces the risk of stumbling. Its patented geometry is specifically optimized for use even on uneven terrains.
Prof. Sujatha Srinivasan, Head, TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2), IIT Madras stressed the unique aspects of Kadam in comparison with existing products.
Srinivasan said that the functional requirements, socioeconomic and environmental challenges of Indian users are unique. Taking these needs into account, the user-centric Design of Kadam meets international quality standards while being 4-5 times more affordable than comparable imported knees.
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