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An Inspiration to Produce Artificial Legs
The founder of TIDF, Mr. Woothiwong Toatong, was inpired to produce
artificial legs for, poor people, while watching a documentary produced
by ASAHI poor people in North-Eastern Thailand. He was moved by seeing
the smiles of those amputees who could walk by themselves again. He
asked his Japanese friend, Mr. Ryoitsu Kitamoto, to take him to Japan
and to show him the techniques of the making of artificial legs. In
Japan he learnt the basic principles of artificial leg production.
Also Mr. Katsuji Shirasaka and Mr. Otokio Yamada gave him two artificial
legs belonging to two dead people as sample. Open his return to the
Kingdom of Thailand, he reported about his visit to Japan and the
idea to produce artificial legs free of charge to the poor amputees
in Thailand was conceived by the majority of the members of TIDF.
Mr. Woothiwong gained further knowledge about techniques in producing
artificial legs from Dr. Chusilpa Kunathai and Dr. Suksom Kukietinan
of Phra Mongkut Hospital. The project to make the first artificial
leg was launched in March 1998. Mr. Woothiwong approached Dr. Saksom
Kukietinan again for further advice. With support from various friends
such as Mr. Chalit Jatisathian, Mr. Prasert Chuchumsaksri and Mr.
Chookiat Korchitwanich, parts for making the first artificial leg
were collected and an artificial ankle was created. Then Mr. Woothiwong's
friend, Mr. Lerpong Ngarmpojana, came up with what the team thought
was a workable design on the 24th of April 1998. The first artificial
leg was successfully tested and tried under the supervision of Dr.
Chusilpa Kunathai at Phra Mongkut Hospital. The first limb could help
the amputee to sit in various positions, e.g. sitting with the legs
crossed, sitting with the legs tucked to one side and kneeling. Later
limbs were developed, tested, tried and evaluated. On the 7th of September
1998, the team tried another limb in Chiang Mai under the supervision
of Dr. Terdchai Cheevakasem, the Secretariat of the Princess Mother
Foundation. They experimented with polyurethane and found the material
satisfactorily workable.
Finally full articificial legs were invented using 40 sets of moulds.
These limbs work almost like human limbs. However, they are much lighter
than conventional prosthetics, Mr. Woothiwong and his team are proud
to have created artificial legs from materials found in Thailand from
the wisdom and the Thai know-how. The team created artificial legs
in the same way as ready-made trousers are made. Their techniques
have, therefore, been registered with the Department of Intellectual
Asset. The team will endeavour to produce more and more limbs for
poor amputees. Their good deed will serve as a token for His Majesty
the King on the occasion of his 72th anniversary of his birthday in
1999. |
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Name List of the Innovators
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PART OF ARTIFICIAL
LEGS |
NAME |
COMPANY NAME |
| 1 |
Facilitator project |
Mr.Woothiwong Toatong |
Wongtanawoot co., ltd. |
| 2 |
Inventor |
Mr.Lerpong Ngampojana |
Kwangcharean co., ltd. |
| 3 |
Technicial and machine tool |
Mr.Jung Sae-uae |
Futo Co., Ltd. |
| 4 |
Machined part by CNC lathe |
Mr.Adisak Thamviset |
Pradit karnchang |
| 5 |
Artificial foot |
Mr.Sakpong Satidmaetha |
Standard rubber |
| 6 |
Plastic in foot |
Mr.Prasert Tongtungwong |
Prasert industrial |
| 7 |
Bolt and Screw |
Mr.Poa Matarcha |
P.K.steel industries |
| 8 |
Bolt |
Mr.Narin Kaitmalakul |
G.Chareanauto Jakkol |
| 9 |
Stanless foundry |
Mr.Kitti Nithimapinan |
Kittifoundry equipment |
| 10 |
Rubber & Urethane |
Mr.Cheachai Soysudararat |
Virayakarnyang |
| 11 |
Brass |
Mr.Chukait Korjittawanich |
Nack. S. Chareankij |
| 12 |
Stanless stell |
Mr.Sitthichai Tangpojtaweesak |
O. thai metal 1991 co., ltd. |
| 13 |
Aluminium mold |
Mr.Somsak Janthawan |
J & F alloid |
| 14 |
Stanless supply |
Mr.Direk Aegnavekij |
Sakaengamwisawakorn |
| 15 |
Stanless supply |
Mr.Utid Chokeprasertsom |
Sangatidkarnchang |
| 16 |
Galvanize alluminium |
Mr.Wiboon Rekhachareanphan |
Linear incial co., ltd. |
| 17 |
Aluminium supply |
Mr.Pisan Suchartkulvit |
Nakorn aluminium |
| 18 |
Rotary machine for limb |
Mr.Prasert Leungsrichan |
Leamthonglohakarnchang co., ltd. |
| 19 |
Iron foundry |
Mr.Kit Ngawbenjakul |
Wanthana foundry co., ltd. |
| 20 |
Hardchrome |
Mr.Wiroj Chojpanyawisuthi |
Wirojkolkan |
| 21 |
Alluminium injection |
Mr.Thonglaw Pongpoochaneeyakul |
Sripothong |
| 22 |
Alluminium injection |
Mr.Prakob Chareanpojmanee |
B.P.K. industrial |
| 23 |
Cutting iron mold |
Mr.Suthee Wanthougkoj |
Thangkoj karnchang |
| 24 |
Glue |
Mr.Kampol Leungwaranan |
Pripathimpack |
| 25 |
Design rubber machine |
Mr.Narongsak Ngampojana |
Saisae industry |
| 26 |
Gear and part |
Mr.Wiroj Wichitcharajkul |
Saenghonglee |
| 27 |
Gear and part |
Mr.Chaiyong Pornpatlertsakul |
Pornpatkolakan |
| 28 |
Polyethylem limb |
Mr.Pramol Kijmedee |
Medee co., ltd. |
| 29 |
Polyethylene limb |
Mr.Sakul Keawan |
Lotofrom (Thailand) |
| 30 |
Polyethylene limb |
Mr.Pradit Suchokechaikul |
Conplast plastic co., ltd. |
| 31 |
Aluminium supply |
Mr.Udom Jongtakoonsiri |
Makgraphic co., ltd. |
| 32 |
Leather cutting |
Mr.Pornsak Nanthakait |
Pisanukam medblock |
| 33 |
Natural rubber and Glove |
Mr.Chawan Panitansirikul |
Sahaboonthong utsahakamyang co.,
ltd. |
| 34 |
Urethane |
Mr.Apai Ananthased |
Toa uni chemical co., ltd. |
| 35 |
Stanless part and tool |
Mr.Chawalit Jatigasatian |
Samco industry co., ltd. |
| 36 |
Leather cutting |
Mr.Wirat Boonyaratanakornkij |
Boonyarattanakornkij co., ltd. |
| 37 |
A belt buckle |
Mr.Chalong Ratsameesangthong |
W. Ponsilp industry co., ltd. |
| 38 |
Sand shooting |
Mr.Tanes Sitthisathienchai |
S.P.R. 1990 co., ltd. |
| 39 |
Iron mold cutting |
Mr.Saroj Nakthong |
S.R. Wirecut co., ltd. |
| 40 |
Aluminium mold making |
Mr.Taksin Bamrungpong |
Srisaimboonthaipanich co., ltd. |
| 41 |
Bearing |
Mr.Wallop Pornpitayalert |
- |
| 42 |
Machine part |
Mr.Sommai Panplub |
Taweemaneeratlohakarn co., ltd. |
| 43 |
Spring |
Mr.Chinnawat Sarapornwisit |
Dynamic spring co., ltd. |
| 44 |
Gas and control system |
Mr.Hangseik Saetang |
Klaunamthaikarnchang co., ltd |
| 45 |
Electric part |
Mr.Pissanu Sae-eah |
. Thaination co., ltd. |
| 46 |
Leather |
Mr.Boonlert Lawpaisal |
Lawpaisal co., ltd. |
| 47 |
Chemistry |
Dr.Saiwit Voravinit |
Mahidol university |
| 48 |
Hardchrom |
Mr.Boonchai Chansripiboon |
B.K.J. egineering |
| 49 |
Finishing aluminium |
Mr.Aroon Thawatpongsri |
A.C.T. hydralic |
| 50 |
Co-Ordinator |
Mr.Chanchai Julwathilert |
Muawleang co., ltd. |
| 51 |
Transleter |
Dr.Lertporn Paraskul |
Turakittibandit University |
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