Page 43 - Status Report

The Context

A common problem across a wide range of
professions is back and waist pain. Lower
back pain can be caused by a variety of
issues concerning any part of the complex,
interconnected network of spinal muscles,
nerves, bones, discs or tendons in the
lumbar spine. Possible remedies include
intake of high doses of painkillers or usage
of constrictive elastic belts, which usually
restrict body movements. Surgery of the
spine is complex and can have severe side
effects in addition to a lengthy recuperation
period. There is therefore a need to develop a
prosthetic solution that mitigates pain without
dependence on painkillers and potentially risky
surgical interventions.

The Initiative

The JaipurBelt™ is a lightweight, protective and therapeutic
device that supports the backbone. The concept of load
diversion is very common in orthopaedic and rehabilitation
practice, but the manner in which the JaipurBelt™ system
has achieved it is what makes it especially innovative.
Complete with a shoulder strap, thigh pad and a back strap;
the load is diverted from the lower back to the thigh region.
It is a human powered, efficient and economical exoskeleton
that supports the spine and waist by sharing physical
workload up to a predefined, variable limit without restricting
body movements. Weighing between 1.5 and 1.7kg, it will
particularly help people who work in the manufacturing,
construction and other labour-intensive industrial and
agricultural sectors.

The Outcome

30 Prototypes have been manufactured thus far and the product was tested with 30 users from
different backgrounds. More than 70% of the users reported a positive feedback. Newndra
Innovations have filed one PCT application, two U.S. Patents, one Chinese Patent, three Indian
Patents and one Trademark application. MedSpark has prepared the U.S. version of requirement
specification, verification and validation protocols and anthropometry review documents. The
product has secured Ethical Committee Approval and CTRI Registration for Clinical Trials. Newndra
Innovations was selected for the Top 10 Promising Startups of the Year Award by the Confederation
of Indian Industry (CII). They were also selected for the Trail Blazer Award 2016 by the India Today
Group and HP India.

Status Report 43