AFRO-NETS> Collaboration sought in orthopedic rehabilitation

[Dykes Robert William <dykes@ERE.UMontreal.CA>]

Collaboration sought in orthopedic rehabilitation
-------------------------------------------------

	I am part of a team attempting to set up a collaboration
with several sites in Africa to produce low-cost artificial limbs for
patients in one or more of those countries. 

	To avoid infrastructure expenses we are proposing to use one
central fabrication facility and to deliver specifications to the central
site from distant regions by the internet. This digital information would
guide a computer-assisted procedure for manufacturing the moulds for the
amputation stump. A short fabrication cycle would allow the product to be
returned to the patient's home town while the clinician was still in the
neighbourhood, for verification of the fitting.

	Such a project has already been developed with rural areas in 
Mexico and has proven successful. I am looking forward to your suggestions.


	Sincerely,

Robert W. Dykes, Ph.D.           Directeur                            
Professeur titulaire             Centre de recherche                  
Departement de physiologie       Institut de readaptation de Montreal 
Universite de Montreal           6300 av. Darlington                  
Montreal, QC H3C 3J7             Montreal, QC H3S 2J4                 
Tele: +1-514-343-6361            Tele: +1-514-340-2085                  
Fax:  +1-514-343-2111            Fax:  +1-514-343-2105                  
e-mail:                          e-mail: irm@cam.org                  
dykes@ere.umontreal.ca                                               
via@home.nmia.com                                                  




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