ICRC's low-cost prosthetic components
Peter Poetsma
Description
Collection
Title:
ICRC's low-cost prosthetic components
Creator:
Peter Poetsma
Date:
4/20/2004
Text:
Dear List Members,
Over time, several members have asked about low-cost components or low-cost
designs for prosthetics and orthotics. (P&O)
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has implemented physical
rehabilitation programs since 1975 in many developing countries and uses
since 1990 a system of polypropylene components such as alignment adaptors,
knee joints, elbow joints, hooks, feet, etc. The component's design enables
any type of fitting with polypropylene sockets. The components are injection
moulded. No patent exists (public domain). The ICRC is producing worldwide
some 20'000 prostheses each year with this system. This appropriate
technology has been used successfully since many years.
The ICRC has outsourced the production of these components to CR
Equipements SA, a company in Coppet, Switzerland. Non-profit organizations
and institutions in the developing world can buy these components if stock
permits. In Vietnam, Cambodia and Afghanistan the ICRC is producing similar
components for the local needs only.
For more information www.crequipements.ch and www.icrc.org
We hope with the above to be of help to the countless initiatives to provide
affordable, good quality, and sustainable prosthetic services in low-income
countries.
Regards,
Peter Poetsma (P-O)
SFD/ICRC
Over time, several members have asked about low-cost components or low-cost
designs for prosthetics and orthotics. (P&O)
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has implemented physical
rehabilitation programs since 1975 in many developing countries and uses
since 1990 a system of polypropylene components such as alignment adaptors,
knee joints, elbow joints, hooks, feet, etc. The component's design enables
any type of fitting with polypropylene sockets. The components are injection
moulded. No patent exists (public domain). The ICRC is producing worldwide
some 20'000 prostheses each year with this system. This appropriate
technology has been used successfully since many years.
The ICRC has outsourced the production of these components to CR
Equipements SA, a company in Coppet, Switzerland. Non-profit organizations
and institutions in the developing world can buy these components if stock
permits. In Vietnam, Cambodia and Afghanistan the ICRC is producing similar
components for the local needs only.
For more information www.crequipements.ch and www.icrc.org
We hope with the above to be of help to the countless initiatives to provide
affordable, good quality, and sustainable prosthetic services in low-income
countries.
Regards,
Peter Poetsma (P-O)
SFD/ICRC
Citation
Peter Poetsma, “ICRC's low-cost prosthetic components,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 6, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/222922.
