Pune (PTI): Noted city orthopaedician Dr K H Sancheti has been granted a patent by the Central Government for an indigenously designed artificial knee for total knee replacement surgery (TKR).

The cost-effective 'Indus knee', developed after an extensive research, was comparable with the best imported knee prosthesis in terms of mechanical qualities, Dr Sancheti told reporters here.

It would allow more than 130-135 degrees of knee bending, facilitating sitting on the floor and squatting, Sancheti said adding that the invention was "well suited for the Indian population".

"So far, more than 1000 patients have been operated and these requirements have been fulfilled", he said.

The surgeon, a recipient of Padma Bhushan, noted that the "indigenous development" of the joint at one-third the cost of the imported one could be a boon for the middle class and economically backward patients suffering from arthritis and in need of TKR.