KGMU device to help foot drop patients gets patent

Lucknow: To ease difficulty those suffering from foot drop face while walking, KGMU doctors developed a below-the-knee assistive device that got patented. The device that helps improve balance while walking was developed at the School of International Biodesign Synergising Healthcare Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SIB SHINE) at KGMU.Foot drop is a nerve or muscle damage ailment that prevents lifting front part of the foot. It causes one to drag feet and affects balance, mobility and independence.
The device puts foot in correct position and aids safe and normal walking. KGMU Vice-Chancellor Prof Soniya Nityanand congratulated the team and hailed the innovation focused on translating clinical needs into practical solutions to benefit patients. It was developed by members of physical medicine and rehabilitation department, work on the project beginning in 2022. It was designed by Kushagra Asthana and Prithu Prasad, founders of Biostim Innovations.Clinical guidance was provided by Prof Anil Gupta, head of PMR department and Dr Ganesh Kumar, while engineering support came from Dr Arjun Ramakrishnan of IIT Kanpur.Prof Gupta said, "This patented device reduces risk of fall and improves confidence, especially in patients recovering from neurological and nerve-related conditions."