Development of a Lightweight, Adjustable, Modular Pediatric Wheelchair- Phase II

Principal Investigators: Rory A. Cooper, PhD; Chris Willems, ME

Co-Investigators: Eun-kyoung Hong BS, Rosemarie Cooper, ATP

2005-2007

We have designed a lightweight, sturdy, user adjustable ergonomically designed backrest support for ultralight weight wheelchairs that will provide necessary postural support and provide a variety of positions to ease dressing, propulsion, and seated comfort. The backrest will improve user comfort, function, and posture during multiple activities of daily living. The innovative design will enable the user to adjust the backrest position while seated in their wheelchair. The benefits of the design are lightweight, high strength, adjustability and durability. The backrest will be adaptable to most ultralight manual wheelchairs. The backrest will be designed with features that benefit the user including height selection, backrest angle adjustment, backrest to axle positioning, and lumber support. The purpose of the proposed research is to create and test  prototypes to identify issues that need to be addressed to develop a practical commercial device. The prototypes will be tested to insure that 1) its dimensions fit a wide variety of ultralight wheelchairs, 2) it meets of exceeds currently approved ANSI/RESNA wheelchair and seating standards, and 3) it performs equivalently of better than other comparable manual wheelchair backrests on ANSI/RESNA tests.

Result/Current status:
The impact test evaluates the strength of the wheelchair structure as one of the ANSI/RESNA standards test. The impact testing proceeds before the focus group due to the focus group was encouraged to try the mechanism adjusting the backrest angles. According to the impact test, there was no consideration of failure. We had two focus groups to gather feedback on the current prototypes. Eight wheelchair users and nine wheelchair seating and mobility clinicians evaluated the prototypes, discussed on the LWDAC backrest, and indicated what would be changed for improvement. On average, the LWDAC received 658.65 ± 176.25 out of 1000 ratings. Only three categories of one hand operation, overall comfort, and willing to purchase received ratings greater than 70%.

Future:
Based on feedback from focus group and discussion of the design team, some critical design issues will be advanced. As the prototype appropriately meets needs of wheelchair users, it will be tested and meet with entire ANSI/RESNA wheelchair and seating standards. According to meets testing standards, user trials will be conducted for a more in depth understanding of the use of the adjustable backrest.