Quality Assurance and Optimization Studies of Light Weight PU Prosthetic Foot‪.‬

Polyurethane prosthetic foot was developed at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre as a substitute for the conventional Jaipur Foot. Several field trials case studies were made and this artificial aid was found to be very comfortable and acceptable to the amputee population, now under regular production by M/s. Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti, Jaipur. The tasks related to quality assurance and achieving standards related to these prostheses at affordable cost assume great significance especially for India and other developing countries. Generating acceptance standards and quality norms formed part of the development effort prior to regular production and use of these light weight prostheses. Careful attention is furthermore needed during various stages for maintaining quality of these artificial aids. A Flex testing machine was employed for initial qualification towards satisfactory performance while ensuring quality checks were found to be equally important during production stage and final moulding steps. Introduction