Researchers have turned plastic water bottles into prosthetic limbs

An engineer at De Montfort University has developed a prosthetic limb socket made from recycled plastic bottles. Prototypes of the prosthesis, which is believed to be the first made from recycled plastic, were successfully tested on two patients.

Dr Kandan, associated director at the Leicester university’s Institute of Engineering Sciences, used polyester yarns spun from the ground plastic bottles to make the prosthesis. It cost around £10 to produce, compared to an industry average of £5,000.

“Upcycling of recycled plastics and offering affordable prosthesis are two major global issues that we need to tackle,” Dr Kandan said. “We wanted to develop a prosthetic limb that was cost effective yet comfortable and durable for amputee patients.”

The aim of the project was to find a low-cost alternative material for prosthetic limbs, and was funded by the Global Challenges Research Funding (GCRF), which supports research to address challenges faced by developing countries, as well as the UK-based Academy of Medical Science.

Dr Kandan also collaborated with prosthetics researchers from the Universities of Salford, Southampton and Strathclyde, and worked with the Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahavata Samiti (BMVSS) in Jaipur, India, which is the world’s largest organisation for rehabilitating disabled people.

“We manufactured the socket at DMU and then travelled to India to trial it with two patients – one who had his leg amputated above the knee, and one who had his leg amputated below the knee,” explained Dr Kandan.

“Both patients were really impressed – they said the prosthetic was lightweight and easy to walk with, and that it allowed air to flow to the rest of their leg, which is ideal for the hot climate in India.”

Globally, an estimated 100 million people have had a limb amputated; the two most common causes are believed to be diabetes and road traffic accidents, both of which are on the rise.

Image: Lucas Vasques