Updated on December 1, 2023

·

Created on June 17, 2014

Polypropylene Prosthesis

Upcoming Update

Prosthetics for the lower and the upper limbs manufactured via ICRC’s polypropylene technology.

Developed By
  1. International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Tested By
  • ICRC’s Physical Rehabilitation Programme, in close contact with International Society for Prosthetics (ISPO)
Content Partners
Unknown

Author

Product Description

Prosthetics for the lower and the upper limbs manufactured via ICRC’s polypropylene technology. The product was selected for inclusion in WHO’s 2013 Compendium of Innovative Health Technologies for Low-Resource Settings.

Target SDGs

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

ICRC develops polypropylene technology and trains local professionals in the use of technology to establish local limb-fitting centers. The establishment of these local centers allows ICRC to transfer responsibility to a local government or partner NGOs. In certain circumstances, ICRC may substitute entirely for the authorities, but 90% of ICRC projects are managed in close cooperation with local partners, primarily government authorities.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Jaipur Foot.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Individually crafted by a prosthetic technician on location using ICRC manufacturing guidelines.

Intellectural Property Type

Open-source

User Provision Model

Worldwide at ICRC sponsored limb-fitting centers. In 2011 ICRC-assisted centers produced 19,740 prostheses and fitted the following amount of new patients with prostheses: Africa (2,435), Asia (4,265), Europe and the Americas (393), Near and Middle East (1,527)

Distributions to Date Status

437,910 prostheses as of 2014.

Craftsmanship required

Skilled

Patient satisfaction

92%

Patient compliance

98%

Comfort

74%

Materials

Polypropylene

Water resistant (yes/no)

Yes

Amputation level

Transtibial

Weight (kg)

Unknown.

Design Specifications

The core of the prosthetic system is made of polypropylene. The injection process is used for making the components. Other parts of the prosthetic device (sockets, cosmetic covers, etc) are made of polypropylene sheets using thermoforming. For thorough design specifications: ICRC Resource Center, Manufacturing Guidelines.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

ICRC-assisted centers are established locally and can provide technical support.

Replacement Components

Ordered from manufacturer's website (CR Equipments Switzerland)

Lifecycle

Replace: Adult prosthesis: 3-5 years. The child might expect to be fitted for a prosthesis 15-20 times in a lifetime. Waste material from polypropylene technology is recycled in many countries to make components of walking aids.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

ICRC's Physical Rehabilitation Programme promotes the use of technology appropriate for the context in which it operates (primarily countries effected by war and low-income or developing countries). It lists the following guidelines for any technology it deploys for the physically disabled:

  • Durable, comfortable, easy for patients to use and maintain
  • Easy for technicians to learn, use and repair
  • Standardized but compatible with the climate in different regions of the world
  • Low-cost but modern and consistent with internationally accepted standards
  • Easily available

Vetted Performance Status

A study by ISPO followed 32 trans-tibial amputees using ICRC designed and manufactured polypropylene prostheses. 28 users were satisfied with the ICRC prosthesis and 23 found it to be their preferred artificial limb when compared to others. In the same study, minor failures of the prostheses were encountered, such as small cracks in the hard socket (4 instances) and cracks in the cosmetic seam (3 instances). ISPO concluded at the end of the study that ICRC's polypropylene technology can be recommended for trans-tibial prostheses. A second study by ISPO comparing ICRC polypropylene design with a conventional wood-resign design found both systems to provide acceptable technical and clinical results.

Safety

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

Complementary Technical Systems

None

Academic Research and References

Jensen, J. S., Heim, S. Evaluation of polypropylene prostheses designed by the International Committee of the Red Cross for trans-tibial amputees. Prosthetics and Orthotics International. 2000 Apr; 2(1):47-54.

Jensen, J. S., Raabb, W. Clinical field testing of trans-femoral prosthetic technologies: resin-wood and ICRC polypropylene]. Prosthetics and Orthotics International. 2004; 28(2):141-151.

Compliance with regulations

Unknown, but the following standards exist for orthotics and prosthetics:

Evaluation methods

User surveys

Other Information

None

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