Called ‘Kadam,’ this ‘Made in India’ product is a polycentric knee for Above Knee Prosthesis developed in association with Society for Biomedical Technology (SBMT) and Mobility India
Indian Institute of Technology Madrar Researchers have launched India’s first indigenously developed polycentric prosthetic knee, which aims to improve the quality of life for thousands of above-knee amputees. Called ‘Kadam,’ this ‘Made in India’ product is a polycentric knee for Above Knee Prosthesis developed in association with Society for Biomedical Technology (SBMT) and Mobility India.
Kadam makes it possible for above-knee amputees to walk with a comfortable gait. Not just mobility, it also aims to improve the quality of life of users through increased community participation, access to education, livelihood opportunities and overall well-being.
It was developed by a team at TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2) at IIT Madras.
Addressing the launch event virtually, Thiru. Johny Tom Varghese IAS, State Commissioner for Persons with Disability, Government of Tamil Nadu, said, “What bridges the world of a differently abled person with that of others is technology. It is phenomenal to see how technology can usher in inclusion in all walks of life. Kadam is one such innovation, along with other similarly path-breaking products that came out of R2D2 IIT Madras, which will make technology accessible and affordable!”
Kadam has advantages over a hinge joint because of the multiple axes of rotation, which provide the user greater control over the prosthesis while walking and maximum knee flexion of 160 degrees to make it easy to sit in cramped spaces like buses and autos. It is designed for durability with high strength stainless steel and aluminium alloy along with hard chrome plated EN8 pins and high fatigue life polymer bushings.
Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “The need for Technology to meet health and medicine is crucial for a healthy future. The Kadam is yet another example to justify this need. We, at IIT Madras are very happy that our Research and Development efforts are translating to products that could be of benefit to mankind.”
Highlighting the unique aspects of Kadam in comparison with existing products, Prof. Sujatha Srinivasan, Head, TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2), IIT Madras, said, “Functional needs, socioeconomic and environmental challenges of Indian users are unique. Kadam’s user-centric design takes these into account. It meets international quality standards while being 4-5 times more affordable than comparable imported knees. ”