Jaipur Foot

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$30.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community

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 has also assisted with the creation of independent fitment centers throughout Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include ReMotion Knee V3.

Countries

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India

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, leaves 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 prostheses 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

Product Schematics

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 long term 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 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 a 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

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.

Evaluation methods

ISPO has published several evaluation studies. Methods include roll-over shape testing to compare prosthetic foot/ankle mechanisms regardless of design differences, center of pressure (COP) measurements to analyze foot/ankle mechanism, range of motion, Static Proof testing, Static Strength test, Cyclic test, patient satisfaction, and patient compliance.