Jaipur Foot: A Detailed Overview PDF

1. The project, a brainchild of D R Mehta, uses high technologies and is completely non-profit. 2. Laser measurement devices from Germany are used to measure the patient’s body and gait position for creating the prosthesis. 3. Even a small difference in the prosthesis can significantly affect the co...

1. The project, a brainchild of D R Mehta, uses high technologies and is completely non-profit. 2. Laser measurement devices from Germany are used to measure the patient’s body and gait position for creating the prosthesis. 3. Even a small difference in the prosthesis can significantly affect the comfort and walking style of the user. 4. The Jaipur foot has gained visibility and promotion thanks to visitors. 5. Due to accidents and land mines in places like Afghanistan, Jaipur foot organizations have been set up worldwide. 6. The Jaipur foot has reached more than 5 lakh 13,000 people and 20,000 people have set up offices across the world (as of 2016). 7. Professors like Prof. C K Prahalad have showcased this innovation as one of the best for the bottom of the pyramid. 8. Every year, 16,000 prosthetic fittings are put in. 9. A video made by C K Prahalad and his team captures all aspects of the Jaipur foot. 10.During a visit, it was observed that a person had nailed a plastic part of the prosthesis, causing it to crack. 11.A project was undertaken at IIT to design a screw that goes through several materials of the prosthesis. 12.The screw design was improved to prevent water from seeping into the wooden part of the prosthesis, which would cause the screw to loosen. 13.The new screw design was tested in Jaipur, and if successful, would be implemented in all prostheses. 14.The prosthesis is designed with three separate sections: the Finger section, Mid foot, and Heel. This allows it to bend and absorb shocks, similar to a natural foot. 15.The prosthesis is low maintenance and consists of two pieces: the single piece foot and the shank. 16.A specially double woven cotton stocking, believed to be donated from Germany, provides cushioning to the stump. 17.The prosthesis uses HDPE irrigation pipes, which are extremely strong and used for piping water in agricultural applications. 18.The microcellular rubber used in the prosthesis is considered high-tech due to the research involved in its production. It is used in large applications in car industries and other industries. 19.The socket of the prosthesis is critical and made from high-quality polymers from large companies. It is a thermoplastic material that can be heated and shaped. 20.The rubber cord, vulcanizing paste, and rubber used in the prosthesis come from the tire industry, which involves extensive research to generate these high-quality raw materials. 21.The wooden block used in the prosthesis is designed with the grains in the right orientation for shock absorption and to ensure the screw does not come off. 22.Every aspect of the Jaipur foot has multiple advantages. For instance, the microcellular rubber provides cushioning, flexibility, moldability, and longevity. 23.The final fitting and design of the prosthesis are customized to the individual, involving skills such as heating the shank to fit it into the rubber, drilling the hole after fitting the shank, and pulling it together. The size is already measured for this process. 24.The prosthesis is designed with known sizes, reducing the need for standardization. However, there is ongoing work to improve the accuracy of the design and make it more modular. 25.A collar design was proposed for the prosthesis to ensure a proper fit between the shank and the foot. This design is yet to be implemented. 26.The implementation of new designs requires hands-on training and an activist approach. Plans are in place to implement the collar design in future sessions. 27.The small finger blocks of microcellular rubber are currently cut by hand, which is a tedious process. To improve this, there are plans to provide punching machines to cut the blocks to the exact size. 28.Nylon rubber cords from the tire industry are used in the prosthesis to provide strength and resilience. 29.The prosthesis is designed to be 10-20% larger than the actual tool. When the tool presses it, the rubber flows in all directions, resulting in a solid piece. 30.The prosthesis is generally not colored, but efforts are being made to introduce darker and lighter shades. However, inventory control and demographic understanding are challenges in this regard. 31.The lecture concludes with a reflection on the innovation journey, highlighting how each material used in the prosthesis has multiple roles and advantages. 32.The speaker acknowledges the existence of different prosthesis designs worldwide, such as the blade running prosthesis developed in the US. These designs represent innovations at various levels. 33.The speaker affirms that the prosthesis is indeed an innovation as it uses all the necessary ingredients for its context. 34.Applying high-tech prosthetic designs to certain contexts can be challenging due to ecosystem constraints and cost implications. 35.There are microprocessor-controlled prostheses, such as the C leg, which showcase fabulous designs and technologies. 36.Integrated prosthetic legs have been developed where a part of the prosthesis is surgically implanted into the bone. This eliminates many customization issues and improves gait and orientation. 37.The implanted prosthesis can be attached to a computer-controlled, numerically controlled prosthesis that learns the user’s walk and programs itself to provide the best gait. 38.The technology and research in the field of prosthetics have reached a level where it’s hard to tell if someone has an artificial limb. 39.The journey of design, technology, and innovation in the field of prosthetics involves understanding the user, strategic implications, and the vision of the person running the show, in this case, D. R. Mehta. 40.D. R. Mehta’s vision was to make the project completely philanthropic, socially designed, and to advance large sector innovations. 41. This project is considered one of the best examples of innovation in the country and serves as a starting point for a course on design and technology.