IIT-G develops affordable prosthetic leg

The researchers of the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, have developed a prosthetic leg specifically designed for Indian conditions, which is suitable for uneven terrain and supports Indian needs such as cross-legged sitting, and deep squatting. The prosthetic leg, developed by students and teachers of IIT-G, is also adjustable for the different age groups and multiple stages of prosthesis use.

Pointing out that this research was funded by the ministry of education and the department of biotechnology, Government of India, the researchers said that prosthesis development in India faces many challenges as highly functional mobility for amputees requires devices with advanced features which are expansive and cannot be afforded by many.

Asserting that researchers have not only succeeded in keeping its price close to `25,000, they have also reduced the weight of prosthetic leg by selecting suitable polymers, aluminium alloys and stainless steel for different components.

“The knee joint developed by our team has a spring-assisted deep squat mechanism, which helps to use Indian toilet system more comfortably, the knee rotating mechanism helps to have cross-legged sitting, the locking mechanism helps to reduce the fear of falling of patients while walking in unknown terrain; adjustable link length in a knee helps to have either more stability or easy flexing depending on age and requirement of the patients. Overall, the knee joint is designed to meet the Indian lifestyle which other products fail to fulfill,” team leader S. Kanagaraj, professor in the department of mechanical engineering, said.

It is significant that market products developed with Western technology ignore Indian locomotion needs, such as crosslegged sitting, deep squatting for toilet use, and exercise postures in Yoga which can be used for rehabilitation.