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Project Ideas for Solutions
Below please find starting points for potential projects. The list is in two sections:
Listed first are ideas or problems with limited direction. Mentors, clinicians, and potential users will be co-ordinated through Doug Gayton doug.gayton@vch.ca
The second section provides a clinician/therapist who has some prior involvement with the idea or concept explained. Please contact them directly and explain carefully your goals.
PART I -- The following ideas do not have specific mentors associated. Be sure to conduct a full and careful literature search as many of these projects are being tackled by other institutions/facilities.
Temperature Control: An outer garment which would assist the user in maintaining core temperatures while moving through the day.
Hands Free ATM: Biometrics make this Jetson like request within grasp.
Automated Bed Maker: Need we say more.
Shoe Tread: Not infrequently clients in wheelchairs prefer to push with their legs rather than their arms. The foot-rests are removed. Users find propulsion backwards is significantly quicker and more force is generated. Pushing up curb cuts, and other outdoor slopes is often difficult in wet or otherwise slippery weather as the shoes do not have positive grip while pushing in reverse.
Wheelchair tire tread: Less surface contact is better on hard surfaces; while a broader foot-print is necessary for softer, giving surfaces. A suggestion has been made to create a tire with a raised harder centre, not unlike cycling touring tires.
Deploying Ramps: Not unlike the Scissors Bridges of past, wheelchair users have requested ramps and/or methods which may be deployed from their wheelchair.
Danger alarm: to remind some users they are nearing the 'tip-over' angle for their mobility device whether a walker or chair type.
Massaging back-rest: (seat-back) for wheeled chairs.
Parking: While 'disabled' parking is finally becoming properly signed, often persons parking next to a vehicle which is side-mount lift equipped does not leave enough room. Traffic cones have been suggested and used, and abandoned. Is there a system which would fold down from a vehicle reserving the necessary room for ramp or lift deployment and room to access that ramp or lift?
Seating capsule: Investigation as to whether a seating system for a wheelchair user could be easily used within any number of task specific wheeled chairs, such as a sports chair, a travel chair, a manual chair, a powered frame. Inside portion fits the person-outside fits the task.
Air bag protection: For persons in wheelchairs. Front caster disintegration during extensive braking action could place the entire weight of a powered wheelchair and the mass of a client against the shoulder strap. Perhaps a console type of arrangement arrangement if indicated which is attachable into a van and the wheelchair would be located behind it.
Solid tires: Which still have the ability to change pressure, hence ride comfort.
Solid tires: Which do not freeze solid.
Wheelchair Simulator: Expensive products exist. Today's technology and Virtual Reality makes this clinician request possible. New users of wheelchairs need a safe manner by which they can learn/obtain some wheelchair skills.Manual skill sets exist at: Wheelchair Skills Program however the same is not true for powered skills or assessment…this request includes power chairs and scooters.
Washcloth Wringer Aid: Persons with hand impairment (e.g., severe arthritis) need a device to help assist in wringing out washcloths, sponges, or other wet materials. Inexpensive, simple, and intuitive are design priorities.
Wheelchair Joystick Cut-Off: Joysticks on powered wheelchairs are often very sensitive to being engaged when the user may not be careful enough to shut the power off. Is there a way to automatically cut the power on a power chair if the user, e.g., has stood up to get out of the chair, or transfer?
Alternative Power Sources for Wheelchairs: Power Wheel Chair batteries are very heavy, and have limited charge life. Is "fuel cell" technology ready to be applied to power wheelchairs? Reducing wheel chair weight by 50 pounds is achievable.
Part II - The following items have clinicians/therapists/mentors as contacts.
Feel free to call for initial information.
Tire Pressure Indicator
Contact: Ian Denison, Physio Therapist / Equipment Evaluation Specialist, 604 737- 6410 [GF Strong Rehab Centre] ian.denison@vch.ca
Decreased tire pressure, especially in manual wheel chairs decreases performance and increases the opportunity for injury. Wheel chair users need a visible method to note their pressure has decreased either to a pre-set level or decreased a pre-set percentage of the appropriate and necessary pressure.
Redesign Wheelchair Back Support
Contact: Ian Denison, Physio Therapist / Equipment Evaluation Specialist, 604 737- 6410 [GF Strong Rehab Centre] ian.denison@vch.ca
Ergonomically designed back supports are used in about 30% of our clients' wheelchairs. Unfortunately these backs mount on existing frames in such a way as to reduce the depth of the seat by as much as 2". We feel that it is possible to design a universal back post to fit a number of wheelchairs that will allow a custom back to be fitted without sacrificing seat length.
Wheel Cleaner
Contact: Charlie Martens, Wheelchair Technician (604) 734-1313 loc 5518 GF Strong Rehab Centre charles.martens@vch.ca
Must be easy to use by consumer or attendant to clean mud off wheels before entering house. This perennial design question has yet to be satisfied. With more and more accessible, safer, and user friendly facilities wheel chair users would like a cleaner in order to remain neighbourly!
Wheelchair Backpack
Contact: John Goulding (604) 451-7755 ArcTeryx Burnaby
For a number of wheelchair users, secure onboard stowage of shopping, groceries etc. is an ongoing problem. A backpack that may hook over the backrest or rear handles must be easily accessible by the rider and be weatherproof and tamperproof.
Client Transfer Device
Contact: Brian Keane, Faculty Advisor (604) 451-7056 BCIT Burnaby brian.keane@bcit.ca
Home Care Workers (HCW) are increasingly at risk of serious musculoskeletal (MSI) physically transferring acute and long term care clients from bed to commode, wheelchair to bathtub etc. There are many inexpensive transfer devices on the market but recent studies have shown that these devices could actually increase the risk of injury to the HCW. A number of AC and DC powered lifts are available for a price, around $4000 and for the majority of home care clients this is not an option. The device should be lightweight and foldable to allow the HCW to transport it by car or public transit, easy to operate (not too many people can program a VCR) and affordable.
Checklist for 'Inspecting' Assisted Living Accommodation
Contact: Doug Gayton, ATP 604 734-1313 loc 2507 [GF Strong Rehab Centre] doug.gayton@vch.ca
People evaluating residences, homes, care facilities, for their elderly parents or newly injured loved ones are overwhelmed with the details to look for while viewing potential solutions. The Consumer Consortium for Assisted Living has made a good start. Continued work is necessary and to 'Canadianise' this checklist.
If nothing suits you have a look here: Frontiers in Education This site lists some successful projects – however a successful project is quite simply just the last step in a continuum
Another site of interest for ideas is through RESNA – last year’s listing of projects and solutions may be found here:
RESNA –Student Scientific Paper Index
We invite you to submit project ideas for listing to our web page.
First, identify a health technology/medical device challenge of interest to your organization, which you feel would be appropriate for post secondary student involvement. This could be an issue, problem, concern or project that needs a new or improved solution.
Next, write a brief description of the essentials of the project (a paragraph or so) and include the name and contact information of the person from your organization who will be available to offer direction and guidance to interested students.
Finally, send your listing to us via e-mail, fax or mail (as noted above) for posting to the web site. The form below can be used for fax or mail submissions.
Thank you for your interest and support.
Note: examples of student projects received in past years and project idea listings are available.
SOLUTIONS - A Student Design Exposition
GF Strong Rehab Centre: Assistive Technology & Seating Services
4255 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2G9
Phone: 604.734.1313 (local 2507) Fax: 604.734.1363
Email: doug.gayton@vch.ca
Web site: www.assistive-technology.ca/solutions.html
VCH Resources