Low cost AK design for a "third world" country- Responses
Randy McFarland
Description
Collection
Title:
Low cost AK design for a "third world" country- Responses
Creator:
Randy McFarland
Date:
4/9/2008
Text:
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
A physician friend in a local Rotary Club has asked me to determine what
exists regarding a simple-to-fabricate low cost trans-femoral prosthesis
with a low maintenance knee joint and a SACH type foot. The existing lab
that would manufacture the prostheses is currently able to vacuum form
trans-tibial prostheses with copolymer. He realizes that additional
equipment like a transfer jig will be needed for AKs. If you are aware
of information about a system that could be inexpensively
fabricated/assembled in a third world country, or if you have any ideas,
please forward the information to me. I'll be checking with a clinic in
Sri Lanka we're aware of. Thank you!
Randy McFarland, CPO
Fullerton, CA
RESPONSES: (Thanks to everyone who sent one!)
You may want to contact LeTourneau University in Longview, TX. They have
a program where the bio-engineering students designed a plastic knee
unit and have successfully fit some of these knees in Africa. It was
designed to be fabricated in third world areas with readily available
materials in those countries. You need to speak with Dr. Gonzales who is
head of the L.E.G.S program. (Letourneau Engineering Global Solutions).
1-903-233-3900
You might try speaking with Vernon Rothschild at Rothschild's O&P in
Salisbury, Maryland. I worked there as a technician for a few years and
they were building some prototype AK prosthesis completely of copolymer
(including a locking knee)
The Red Cross hold designs for a cheap TF limb which they will help
with.
and if you are in contact with Sri Lanka....then you are in good hands
I saw this in Cambodia many years ago and it works ...free and locking
system........The cambodia trust ..who do the teaching school in Sri
Lanka use this system and will no doubt be willing to help out if
possible. My contact there is Carson Harte...a fellow Northern Irish
prosthetist with years of overseas development.
I would use a prefabricated socket from Orthomerica, Tess belt, Locking
knee and a sach foot. I have been told that it is inexcusable and should
never be done. I have done this and I have had sime success with it
before I make a definative A/K.
Doesn't the Red Cross have a polypro AK socket design for 3rd world
applications?
The International Committee of the Red Cross uses a Swiss made system
utilizing polypropylene. The website to view is www.crequipements.ch We
have been using this system with very good results for about three years
and can produce a Transfemoral prosthesis for about $200 US.
The beauty of this system is it is modular, no transfer jig is needed,
it is quick to fabricate and it is very 'environment' proof.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Physical
Rehabilitation Program has made its P and O Manufacturing Guidelines
available on the internet. All information about the Physical
Rehabilitation activities of the ICRC and the Special Fund for the
Disabled (SFD) are to be found on the same site.
The ICRC and SFD will have a stand on the exhibition of the 2007 ISPO
world Congress in Vancouver during the week of 29 July- 3 August,
Please visit us to see the Manuals or learn about the activities.
<URL Redacted>
Prosthetics and Orthotics Manufacturing Guidelines
These Manufacturing Guidelines are designed to provide the information
necessary for the production of high-quality assistive devices. These
informative manuals are designed to promote and enhance standardization
of ICRC polypropylene technology, to provide support for training in the
use of this technology and to promote good practice in this field.
This product is intended for specialized audiences interested in
Manufacturing P&O devices using polypropylene technology.
1. Lower limb Prosthetics
Partial Foot Prosthesis (3000kb)
Trans-Tibial Prosthesis (2200kb)
Trans-Femoral Prosthesis (3500kb)
Alignment Jig for Lower-Limb Prosthetics (2500kb)
2. Upper limb Prosthetics
Trans-Radial Prosthesis (1600kb)
Trans-Humeral Prosthesis (1500kb)
3. Lower limb Orthotics
Ankle-Foot Orthosis (1300kb)
Patellar Tendon-Bearing Orthosis (1600kb) Knee-Ankle-Foot-Orthosis
(1600kb)
Depending on your browser you have to Right- or Left-Click on the text,
then a text box will guide you further to view or download the manuals.
<URL Redacted>
Have you heard of Mobility India? They have a pre-fab package that they
presented at ISPO last year in Vancouver. They are looking into mass
production for this poly propolene prosthesis and I think the cost is
about $100 (don't quote me). They are also developing a pre-fab KAFO if
you are interested! Check out their website ...... www.
< <URL Redacted>> mobility-india.org . FYI - I worked
with them in 1999 and am looking forward to going back at the end of
this year. They are working with prosthetists, orthotists and engineers
to design these pre-fab devices and are always eager to hear feedback
etc.
A physician friend in a local Rotary Club has asked me to determine what
exists regarding a simple-to-fabricate low cost trans-femoral prosthesis
with a low maintenance knee joint and a SACH type foot. The existing lab
that would manufacture the prostheses is currently able to vacuum form
trans-tibial prostheses with copolymer. He realizes that additional
equipment like a transfer jig will be needed for AKs. If you are aware
of information about a system that could be inexpensively
fabricated/assembled in a third world country, or if you have any ideas,
please forward the information to me. I'll be checking with a clinic in
Sri Lanka we're aware of. Thank you!
Randy McFarland, CPO
Fullerton, CA
RESPONSES: (Thanks to everyone who sent one!)
You may want to contact LeTourneau University in Longview, TX. They have
a program where the bio-engineering students designed a plastic knee
unit and have successfully fit some of these knees in Africa. It was
designed to be fabricated in third world areas with readily available
materials in those countries. You need to speak with Dr. Gonzales who is
head of the L.E.G.S program. (Letourneau Engineering Global Solutions).
1-903-233-3900
You might try speaking with Vernon Rothschild at Rothschild's O&P in
Salisbury, Maryland. I worked there as a technician for a few years and
they were building some prototype AK prosthesis completely of copolymer
(including a locking knee)
The Red Cross hold designs for a cheap TF limb which they will help
with.
and if you are in contact with Sri Lanka....then you are in good hands
I saw this in Cambodia many years ago and it works ...free and locking
system........The cambodia trust ..who do the teaching school in Sri
Lanka use this system and will no doubt be willing to help out if
possible. My contact there is Carson Harte...a fellow Northern Irish
prosthetist with years of overseas development.
I would use a prefabricated socket from Orthomerica, Tess belt, Locking
knee and a sach foot. I have been told that it is inexcusable and should
never be done. I have done this and I have had sime success with it
before I make a definative A/K.
Doesn't the Red Cross have a polypro AK socket design for 3rd world
applications?
The International Committee of the Red Cross uses a Swiss made system
utilizing polypropylene. The website to view is www.crequipements.ch We
have been using this system with very good results for about three years
and can produce a Transfemoral prosthesis for about $200 US.
The beauty of this system is it is modular, no transfer jig is needed,
it is quick to fabricate and it is very 'environment' proof.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Physical
Rehabilitation Program has made its P and O Manufacturing Guidelines
available on the internet. All information about the Physical
Rehabilitation activities of the ICRC and the Special Fund for the
Disabled (SFD) are to be found on the same site.
The ICRC and SFD will have a stand on the exhibition of the 2007 ISPO
world Congress in Vancouver during the week of 29 July- 3 August,
Please visit us to see the Manuals or learn about the activities.
<URL Redacted>
Prosthetics and Orthotics Manufacturing Guidelines
These Manufacturing Guidelines are designed to provide the information
necessary for the production of high-quality assistive devices. These
informative manuals are designed to promote and enhance standardization
of ICRC polypropylene technology, to provide support for training in the
use of this technology and to promote good practice in this field.
This product is intended for specialized audiences interested in
Manufacturing P&O devices using polypropylene technology.
1. Lower limb Prosthetics
Partial Foot Prosthesis (3000kb)
Trans-Tibial Prosthesis (2200kb)
Trans-Femoral Prosthesis (3500kb)
Alignment Jig for Lower-Limb Prosthetics (2500kb)
2. Upper limb Prosthetics
Trans-Radial Prosthesis (1600kb)
Trans-Humeral Prosthesis (1500kb)
3. Lower limb Orthotics
Ankle-Foot Orthosis (1300kb)
Patellar Tendon-Bearing Orthosis (1600kb) Knee-Ankle-Foot-Orthosis
(1600kb)
Depending on your browser you have to Right- or Left-Click on the text,
then a text box will guide you further to view or download the manuals.
<URL Redacted>
Have you heard of Mobility India? They have a pre-fab package that they
presented at ISPO last year in Vancouver. They are looking into mass
production for this poly propolene prosthesis and I think the cost is
about $100 (don't quote me). They are also developing a pre-fab KAFO if
you are interested! Check out their website ...... www.
< <URL Redacted>> mobility-india.org . FYI - I worked
with them in 1999 and am looking forward to going back at the end of
this year. They are working with prosthetists, orthotists and engineers
to design these pre-fab devices and are always eager to hear feedback
etc.
Citation
Randy McFarland, “Low cost AK design for a "third world" country- Responses,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 1, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/229204.
