Chennai, Apr 8 : Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) today launched India’s first indigenously developed Polycentric Prosthetic Knee, which aims to improve the quality of life for thousands of above-knee amputees. Called ‘Kadam,’ this ‘Made in India’ product is a polycentric knee for above knee prosthesis developed in association with Society for Biomedical Technology (SBMT) and Mobility India. Kadam makes it possible for above-knee amputees to walk with a comfortable gait. Not just mobility, it also aims to improve the quality of life of users through increased comm ty participation, access to education, livelihood opport ties and overall well-being. It was developed by a team at TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2) at IIT Madras, which also developed and commercialized ‘Arise,’ the country’s first standing wheelchair and NeoFly-NeoBolt: active wheel chair and motorized add-on for seamless indoor-outdoor mobility. SBMT, which supported the development, was established under DRDO by former President APJ Abdul Kalam to enable indigenous medical device development. The Mobility India, an NGO in Bengaluru, will mass manufacture and take Kadam to the market along with overseeing the processes of fitment and training and ensuring easy access for the users. Kadam was launched by Johny Tom Varghese, State Commissioner for Persons with Disability, IIT-M Director V.Kamakoti, Director, Sujatha Srinivasan, Faculty Head, of R2D2 and other faculty, researchers and students. In his virtual address, Johny Tom Varghese said “what bridges the world of a Differently Abled Person with that of others is technology. It is phenomenal to see how technology can usher in inclusion in all walks of life.” Kadam was one such innovation, along with other similarly path-breaking products that came out of R2D2 IIT Madras, which will make technology accessible and affordable, he said. Kadam has advantages over a hinge joint because of the multiple axes of rotation, which provide the user greater control over the prosthesis while walking and maximum knee flexion of 160 degrees to make it easy to sit in cramped spaces like buses and autos. It is designed for durability with high strength stainless steel and aluminium alloy along with hard chrome plated EN8 pins and high fatigue life polymer bushings. Prof Kamakoti said “the need for Technology to meet health and medicine is crucial for a healthy future. The Kadam is yet another example to justify this need. We, at IIT-M are very happy that our Research and Development efforts are translating to products that could be of benefit to mankind.” Indigenously developed Kadam is affordable and at the same time, of high quality and performance, complying with ISO 10328 standards including 30 lakh cycles of fatigue testing. It provides stability, reduces the risk of stumbling and its patented geometry is specifically optimized for use on uneven terrains. GV 1731