In a bid to improve the quality of life of thousands of knee amputees, researchers from IIT Madras on Friday launched the country’s first indigenously developed polycentric prosthetic knee that can bend more, offers stability while walking and costs just one-fifth of imported devices.
CHENNAI: In a bid to improve the quality of life of thousands of knee amputees, researchers from IIT Madras on Friday launched the country’s first indigenously developed polycentric prosthetic knee that can bend more, offers stability while walking and costs just one-fifth of imported devices.
The prosthetic knee was developed by a team at TTK Centre for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development at IIT Madras in association with Society for Biomedical Technology (SBMT) and Mobility India, a non-governmental organisation from Bengaluru.
Named ‘Kadam’ (footstep), the four-bar knee joint provides a knee bend of 160 degrees or more so users can sit in cramped places such as buses, autos and cabs.
Professor Sujatha Srinivasan, head, head, TTK Centre for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development, IIT Madras, said, “The uniqueness of this knee joint is the geometry which is suited for walking on uneven terrain. It also provides greater knee bend compared to other assistive devices. It is more suited for Indian conditions as users can sit in cramped spaces such as buses and autos wearing it.”
Prof Sujatha explained that the goal was to make a basic mechanical knee. “If we look at the knee alone, imported devices with comparable quality will cost four to five times more. This device is more affordable, functional and made in India,” she added.
IIT Madras directorV Kamakoti said finding a cost-effective, indigenous solution like the prosthetic knee is a phenomenal effort.
Addressing the gathering through virtual mode, Johny Tom Varghese, state commissioner for persons with disability,Tamil Nadu, said, ‘Kadam’ can change the lives of people. “The state government is looking forward to the product that offers comfort to the differently abled,” he said.
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