Search

Purpose: The manual, user-operated Arise Standing Wheelchair (SWC) is the end result of multiple design iterations based on findings and feedback from user trials. The Arise SWC provides standing functionality, outdoor mobility, affordability, and customisability. This paper describes a long-term community integration study of the Arise SWC. Methods: All participants (N = 8; 7 Male, 1 Female) were persons with spinal cord injuries. During the study period (six months), the participants integrated the Arise SWC into their daily routines. To assess the impact of the Arise SWC on various outcome measures, participants' responses were captured using a Likert-scale questionnaire at the beginning of the study, after 30 days, and after 180 days of Arise SWC usage. Results: The long-term usage of the Arise SWC positively impacted the users' standing performance (ability to stand regularly, stand at different locations, and stand in community settings), productive ability (accessibility to environmental controls and ability to perform overhead reaches), and pathophysiology (spasticity and ability to get proper sleep). Furthermore, all the users were able to independently move using the Arise SWC over even and uneven terrain (some needed minimal assistance over uneven terrain). Conclusions: Overall, we believe that Arise SWC will benefit eligible users and improve their ability and performance in daily activities. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Arise Standing Wheelchair (SWC) positively impacted users' standing performance, mobility over uneven terrain, ability to transfer between surfaces, and overhead reaches. Arise SWC positively impacted users' overall physical well-being. The study shows that Arise SWC improved the users' overall daily living activities. Arise SWC, an affordable solution, is anticipated to have a global impact, especially on low-income nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steering a wheelchair while navigating through manual doors or against obstacles is challenging for some users. Previously, a low-cost, low-tech accessory made using off-the-shelf components, conventional manufacturing, and 3D-printed fasteners demonstrated the proof-of-concept for uncrossable positive obstacle pushing or gliding. Current work presents the fabrication and testing of an entirely 3D-printed prototype of the accessory. The accessory was 3D-printed using ABS (10% fill density) in sections. A finite element stress analysis simulation was performed for the entire accessory. Prototype tests were done with the accessory installed on an unoccupied powered wheelchair against a door and an obstacle with ∼25 N and ∼50 N resistance forces, respectively. The maximum stresses in none of the crucial components exceeded the break strength of ABS. Test results demonstrate the ability and mechanical robustness of the fully 3D-printed accessory to push open manual doors, allowing easy navigation through doors, and to push or glide against obstacles. The current prototype improves over the previous prototype in terms of manufacturability, weight, design, and safety. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of an entirely 3D-printed wheelchair accessory that pushes or glides against uncrossable positive obstacles. Future studies would involve end-user satisfaction assessment and functionality evaluation in different scenarios under clinical supervision. The pushing or gliding ability of the accessory could be beneficial to wheelchair users with neuromuscular disorders or paraplegia. Low-tech 3D-printed accessory allows wheelchair users to push or glide against doors and other obstacles. Protective nature of the accessory could prove highly beneficial to some wheelchair users (those with diabetic feet). Pushing or gliding ability of the accessory could be beneficial to wheelchair users with neuromuscular disorders or paraplegia. Accessory could reduce wheelchair accidents and falls due to uncrossable positive obstacles. 3D printing allows easy prototyping of wheelchair-related assistive technology solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To the authors' knowledge, currently, there is no review covering the different technologies applied to opening manual doors. Therefore, this review presents a summary of the various technologies available on the market as well as those under research and development for opening manual doors. Four subtopics—doorknob accessories, wheelchair-mounted door-opening accessories, door-opening robots, and door-opening drones—were used to group the various technologies for manually opening doors. It is evident that opening doors is a difficult process, and there are different ways to solve this problem in terms of the technology used and the cost of the end product. The search for an affordable assistive technology for opening manual doors is ongoing. This work is an attempt to provide wheelchair users and their healthcare providers with a one-stop source for door-opening technologies. At least one of these door-opening solutions could prove beneficial to the elderly and some wheelchair users for increased independence. The ideal option would depend on an individual's needs and capabilities, and occupational therapists could assess and recommend the right solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The manual user-operated Arise Standing Wheelchair (SWC) is the end-result of multiple design iterations based on comments from user trials. The Arise SWC provides standing functionality, outdoor mobility, affordability, and customizability. This paper describes a user experience study of the Arise SWC's pre-commercial version. Thirty participants (N = 30, 25 Male, 5 Female) were recruited for the study. All the participants were people with spinal cord injury. The study was conducted over a period of six weeks (five participants per week) within the hospital premises under the supervision of clinical personnel. A 30 min interactive training session involved thirteen activities. During the trial period, the participants were trained to perform twenty-two activities to familiarize themselves with the SWC. The participants were also trained to perform four functional usage activities with the SWC. At the end of the study, participant responses to ten outcome measures were captured using a smiley-based Likert-scale questionnaire. A majority of the participants (93.3%) felt happy when they stood in the SWC. The majority participants (83.3%) preferred the Arise SWC over their current wheelchair. Also, 80% participants anticipated that they could get more work done at home using the standing function of the wheelchair. A one-time fitting and training ensured optimal effort for the SWC operation, correct posture, and comfortable user experience. With proper dissemination and awareness, it is believed that the Arise SWC will benefit eligible users and improve their quality of life. The Arise wheelchair provides standing functionality, outdoor mobility, affordability, and customizability. Study confirms that incorporating standing functionality can improve the quality of life for wheelchair users. The majority of users were happy, felt safe and expected to do more with the standing functionality. Study results support further testing in real world conditions beyond the hospital setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assistive devices like Standing Wheelchairs (SWC) have remained out of reach of the economically underprivileged even before the pandemic-induced financial downturn, and more so now. This paper describes the mechanical design of a manual user-actuated SWC that is cost-effective (equivalent of USD 210 in India, ex-factory) and has special features that minimise user effort and accommodates varying body weights (50–110 kg) and dimensions (1.52–1.83 m height). The design includes a six-bar mechanism and spring balancing to optimise user effort during operation. The optimised gas spring incorporates adjustability to minimise each user's force for sit-stand-sit transitions. The handle shape is ergonomically designed using kinematic analysis to provide convenient gripping positions for actuation. The design has been customised based on parametric studies to suit varying body weights. Overall, the SWC design provides standing functionality with ease of operation, safety locks, customisability, affordability, outdoor mobility and is aesthetically pleasing. Customisability and the low cost of the device would enhance the accessibility of the SWC to a larger group of eligible users. Manual user-operated standing wheelchair design using a six-bar mechanism Spring balancing used to reduce user effort to self-lift to the standing position Kinematic analysis used to determine convenient handle location for user ease Customisability for wide range of users to ensure correct posture, optimal effort Design refined through multiple iterations using inputs from users and clinicians Design commercialised at an affordable cost, making it accessible to a larger population [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Only 1 in 10 people with disabilities can access assistive devices, underlining the critical need for low-cost assistive products. This paper describes the design evolution of a manual user-operated standing wheelchair (SWC), translating from prototype to product. The SWC design has been refined over 5 years through multiple iterations based on comments from user trials. The SWC product, Arise, provides standing functionality, facile outdoor mobility, affordability, customisability, and is aesthetically pleasing. A one-time fitting and training ensure optimal effort for operation, correct posture, and comfortable user experience. The SWC accommodates users of different sizes and body weights (up to 110 kg) and minimises user effort with the use of a gas spring. Incorporating discrete adjustments enables customisation while retaining the advantages of mass manufacturing, which is necessary for ensuring affordability. The SWC has been field-tested and well received by over 100 wheelchair users, and Arise was launched recently by the industry partner. It should be noted that RESNA cautions on the use of any standing device without medical consultation. Nevertheless, with appropriate dissemination and awareness, it is anticipated that the affordable SWC product, Arise, will immensely benefit the eligible users and make a difference in their quality of life. Provides standing functionality, outdoor mobility, affordability and customisability Accommodates users of different sizes and body weights in a mass-manufacturable design Ergonomic design reduces net user effort during sit-to-stand, stand-to-sit activity Design iterated and refined based on feedback from over 100 user trials [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Some wheelchair users continue to struggle in maneuvering a wheelchair and navigating through manual doors. Several smart wheelchairs and robotic manipulators were developed to minimize such challenges facing disabled people. Disappointingly, a majority of these high-tech solutions are restricted to laboratories and are not extensively available as commercial products. Previously, a low-tech wheelchair accessory (arc-shaped with many wheels) for pushing doors was modelled and simulated. This work demonstrates the fabrication and testing of the first-generation prototype of the accessory. Materials and methods: The accessory has side portions with a straight arrangement of wheels and a front portion with a straight-arc-straight arrangement of wheels. The accessory was fabricated using conventional manufacturing, off-the-shelf components, and 3D printed ABS fasteners. Stress analysis simulations were done for the fasteners that attach the front accessory to the wheelchair frame. The proof-of-concept of the prototype installed onto a powered wheelchair was tested with a door and an obstacle, each with ∼50 N resistance force. Results: Prototype tests demonstrate the ability of the accessory along with the mechanical robustness of the 3D printed fasteners to push open doors allowing easy navigation through doors and to push/glide against obstacles. The accessory is foldable and detachable. Conclusion: The low-cost of the accessory makes it affordable to many users intending to improve their quality of life. The current study provides an engineering perspective of the accessory, and a clinical perspective is crucial. Other potential applications of the wheelchair accessory include use with scooters, walkers and stretchers. Low-cost, low-tech accessory is foldable and detachable. Accessory is effective for pushing doors and pushing/gliding against obstacles. Protective nature of the front accessory could prove highly beneficial to some wheelchair users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Stair-climbing add-on device eliminates complexity of built-in climbing mechanisms. • Hex-wheel chosen over Y-wheel to achieve stability and smooth trajectory. • Add-on with Hex-wheel reduces lifting force by 5 times over conventional wheelchairs. • Chain sprocket reduces actuation force by 4 times over lever arm actuation mechanism. • Full scale prototype developed and theoretical force requirement validated. Motorized designs of stair-climbing wheelchairs available in western countries are heavy and expensive, and hence, unsuitable for developing countries. Manually operated solutions for stair-climbing wheelchairs also tend to be bulky and complex. As stair-climbing is an occasional activity for wheelchair users, having a built-in stair-climbing mechanism results in complexity and redundancy. In this work, an add-on device is envisaged, which requires the wheelchair to be mounted onto the add-on only when stair-climbing is needed. This work developed a Hex-wheel mechanism to address the demerits of the Y-wheel mechanism commonly used in load carriers, as well as to improve usability for stair-climbing. Furthermore, a suitably designed actuation mechanism was applied to the Hex-wheel to enable manual operation. Finally, a prototype of the stair-climbing add-on device was built to validate the developed mechanisms. The force required to operate the device was measured and found to be within 10% of the predicted theoretical value. The novel design provides a solution manually operable by an assistant, which is cost-effective and independent of wheelchair type to improve accessibility in low-resource settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]