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Wheelchair Convoy System

Detailed Technology Description

None

*Abstract

BackgroundIn long-term care environments, residents who have severe mobility deficits are typically transported by having another person push the individual in a manual wheelchair. This practice is inefficient and encourages staff to hurry to complete the process, thereby setting the stage for unsafe practices. Furthermore, the time involved in assembling multiple individuals with disabilities often deters their participation in group activities. TechnologyThe Wheelchair Convoy System consists of a manual wheelchair frame with motorized rear wheels, a processor, a flexible mechanical linkage, and rangefinding sensors. The mechanical linkage is connected between two chairs, allowing a single attendant to create and move a chain of multiple wheelchairs.Application* Moving and transporting multiple wheelchair patientsAdvantages* More efficient than manually moving the patients* Safer to move multiple wheelchairs to the same location* Allows a single person to move multiple wheelchairs

*Principal Investigator

Name: Edmund LoPresti

Department:

Name: Leonard Mostowy, Engineer

Department:

Name: Joseph Olson

Department: SHRS-Rehab Sci & Tech

Name: Jeremy Puhlman, Technical Assistant

Department:

Name: Vinod Sharma

Department: Med-Psychiatry

Name: Richard Simpson

Department: SHRS-Rehab Sci & Tech

Country/Region

USA