Lok Sabha Question No. 2720 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-01
Subject: Research in Prosthetic Limbs
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: SRINIVAS KESINENI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2720 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2017

## Research in Prosthetic Limbs

## No. 2720 SHRI KESINENI NANI:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (6) whether any advances in prosthetic technology have been made in the last ten years and if the details thereof; SO,
2. (a) the steps being taken by the Government for the research in prosthetic limbs;
3. (c) whether these advances have been adopted by people with disabilities in the country and if the details thereof; and SO,
4. (d) the measures taken by the Government to import prosthetic technology from other countries?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT (SHRI KRISHANPAL GURJAR)

- (a) The Department implements a Central Sector Scheme on Research on Disability Related Technology, Products and Issues" to provide financial assistance in research in disability sector: So far no research in Prosthetic limbs has been funded under the scheme.

Further, under the aegis of this Department; three National Institutes, namely, Swami Vivekanand National Institute of Rehabilitation Training Research (SVNIRTAR), Cuttack, National  Institute for Locomotor Disabilities   (PDUNIPPD), New Delhi, are the nodal Institutes for   rehabilitation with orthopaedic disabilities. These Institutes undertake various projects/ R&D activities in prosthetic limbs. and

- Technology Mission Mode Research Project, has designed and developed the Modular/ Endoskeleton Below Knee Prosthesis Kit and Modular Above Knee Prosthesis. The Above Knee prosthesis are light in weight require less time to fabricate, alongwith excellent knee stability and increased range of flexion

NILD, Kolkata has developed following advancements in prosthetic technology:

- () Pediatric Prosthesis (ii) Quick Fabricated Prosthetic Socket (iii) Modular or Phylon immediate prosthesis (iv) Microprocessor Controlled Active Ankle Foot Prosthesis (v) Myo-electric Control based bio-feedback and training system for upper limb amputee.
- (c) The technology of Modular Below & Above Knee Prosthesis of SVNIRTAR has been handed to the Public Sector Undertaking under this Department,  Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) for mass scale manufacture of prefabricated components.

ALIMCO has embraced advanced technology in the materials of the prosthetics in phased manner; changing the material  from wood to Poly-propylene\_and metal  for manufacturing of Lower Prosthetics: Presently, ALIMCO is mainly manufacturing metallic Lower Prosthetics Also,

NILD is the Pediatric ` Prosthesis and two\_prosthetic  components, namely, (i) Quick Fabricated Prosthetic Socket and (ii) Modular o Phylon Immediate Prosthesis for the persons with disabilities using

- (d) A Technology Transfer Agreement has been signed between ALIMCO & M/s Ottobock Healthcare India Private Limited for transfer of Know-How and Technical Data from MIs Ottobock fof Manufacturing and Assembly of Lower Extremity Prosthetics (Above Knee [AK] & Below Knee [BK] kits).