Challenge
The World Health Organisation estimates that 650 million people worldwide are disabled. Of those people, 80% currently live in Low-and Middle-Income countries (LMICs) that are often at various stages of economic development depending on active conflict or post conflict state. Fewer than 3% of persons with disabilities in LMIC’s have access to required rehabilitation services-without access to the rehabilitation they require, those with disability may become entrenched in a cycle of poverty.
Description
Dr Kandan developed the first-of-its-kind accessible recycled material (ARM) prosthetic limb by grinding down the plastic bottles and using the granulated material to spin polyester yarns, which can then be heated up to form a solid yet lightweight material which can be moulded into the prosthetic limbs. These sockets are 500 times cheaper than standard carbon fibre socket yet provide multi functionality.
Outcomes
The manufacturing and user-engagement trials of ARM prosthetic limb using recycled yarns demonstrate that these limbs allow for more exact-fit around the patient’s stump and reduce the risk of infection thanks to their breathable design.
