Jaipur Foot

Product Description

Jaipur Foot develops durable prosthetics for below-knee and above-knee amputees enabling sitting, running, squatting, climbing, walking and swimming.

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

BMVSS manufactures and distributes the Jaipur Foot in India. They reach other parts of India and other countries through temporary fitment camps (lasting a few days to several weeks) staffed by BMVSS employees. BMVSS has also established several associate organizations providing the Jaipur Foot, in Pakistan and the Philippines, and have also assisted with the creation of independent fitment centers throughout Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Made by hand on an individual basis to the specifications of each beneficiary. BMVSS pioneered the use of a socket and shank fabrication using HDPE pipes which simplifies the process to a single-step. The beneficiary is fitted for their prosthetic upon arrival at BMVSS and generally, leave the same day with their customized Jaipur Foot. It has been noted that this process is cumbersome, involving laborious, repetitive and non-standard techniques, resulting in product quality variability, low production volumes, and high reject rates. Further mechanization and streamlining of the manufacturing method are needed to standardize the production process.

Intellectural Property Type

Open Source

User Provision Model

About 20,000 limbs fitted a year by BMVSS (includes above-knee and below-knee prosthetics). Fittings take place at 22 permanent branches throughout India as well through 50 temporary fitment camps that take place yearly in various parts of India. Additionally, there have been 50 mobile clinics in 26 countries

Distributions to Date Status

513,806 limbs have been distributed as of March 2016.

Design Specifications

Jaipur Foot is made of three blocks to simulate the anatomy of a human foot. The forefoot and heel blocks consist of sponge rubber and the ankle block consists of light wood. They are bound together and enclosed in a rubber shell. A vulcanizer is then used to mold them into the shape of a foot. High-density polyethylene pipes are used to fabricate the socket and shank of the prosthetic. Open-ended and total contact sockets and exoskeletal and endoskeletal designs are fitted to the beneficiary as required. The size of the foot is variable based on the patient. Children need to have their prosthesis adjusted every few months due to their rapid growth. All beneficiaries need adjustments and repairs to their feet over the course of several years due to normal wear and tear. Fabrication Manual

Technical Support

Little to no technical support required. Technicians are available at BMVSS facilities however to provide technical support if needed, such as making adjustments to the foot so it fits properly or making repairs after longterm use of the foot. Also, BMVSS is known for the psychosocial support it offers beneficiaries during the fitting process. BMVSS also offers physiotherapy at its Jaipur headquarters.

Replacement Components

Beneficiaries are welcome to return to BMVSS facilities for continued assistance with repairs or replacements for their prosthetic

Lifecycle

Lifespan 2-5 years/ Disposal and Warranty not explicitly stated although it is mentioned that beneficiaries can return to BMVSS for adjustments or repairs (or a new foot in the case of children who have outgrown.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Range of motion and durability that facilitates the activities Jaipur Foot was designed to accommodate in Indian amputees (walking barefoot, working in wet fields, squatting, sitting cross-legged, walking on uneven ground, and climbing trees). The mechanical requirements are thus noted to be: dorsiflexion, transverse rotation, inversion and eversion

Vetted Performance Status

ISPO study found Jaipur foot to have favorable durability record compared to other prosthetic feet tested in low-income countries, with 53% percent lasting longer than 3 years.

Safety

Ill-fitting prosthetic can result in physical discomfort and pain to the patient

Complementary Technical Systems

N/A

Academic Research and References

Jensen JS, Raab W. Clinical Field Testing of Vulcanized Jaipur Rubber Feet for Trans-Tibial Amputees in Low-Income Countries. Prosthetics and Orthotics International. 2006 Dec; 30(3):225-36.

Jensen JS, Craig JG, Mtalo LB, Zelaya CM. Clinical field follow-up of high density polyethylene (HDPE)-Jaipur prosthetic technology for trans-tibial amputees. Prosthetics and Orthotics International. 2004 Dec; 28(3):230-44.

Jensen JS, Treichl HB. Mechanical testing of prosthetic feet utilized in low-income countries according to ISO-10328 standard). Prosthetics and Orthotics International. 2007 Jun; 31(2):177-206.

Eaton D, Ayers S, Gonzalez RV. Comparison of Prosthetic Feet Roll-Over Shapes Used in Developing Nations. 5th World Congress of Biomechanics, Munich, Germany (2006).

Adalarasu K, Jagannath M, Mathur MK. Comparison on Jaipur, SACH and Madras Foot: A Psychophysiological Study. International Journal of Advanced Engineering Sciences and Technologies. 2011 4(1):187-192.

Arya AP, Lees A, Nirula HC, Klenerman L. A biomechanical comparison of the SACH, Seattle and Jaipur feet using ground reaction forces. Prosthetics and Orthotics International. 1995 Apr; 19(1):37-45.

Compliance with regulations

International Standards Organization (ISO) has a standards catalogue from their Prosthetics and Orthotics Technical Committee. These are not are referenced by BMVSS.