Current conventional manual standup wheelchairs have serious drawbacks: propulsion requires suboptimal arm ergonomics, they are biomechanically inefficient, and they only allow manual mobility in a sitting position. We propose the development of a manual wheelchair that will allow the user to be manually mobile in a sitting position, a standing position, or any intermediate position. The functional benefits of such a wheelchair are obvious since the user will have a greatly increased reach and functional workspace. Such a wheelchair will also have a number of physiologic benefits and, perhaps most importantly, a significant psychological benefit. Additionally, since the chair is manually propelled in both sitting and standing positions, the user will retain the cardio-vascular benefits of manual propulsion. The manual standing wheelchair is based on a simple, strong, and lightweight four-bar linkage system that uses the armrests as lever inputs for a ratchet mechanism that erects the chair to a standing position. Anti-tip wheels lower automatically to extend the wheelbase and allow safe operation of the chair while erect. The wheelchair will use a lever drive that will allow better ergonomics and more efficient propulsion. To accomplish our objectives we have assembled an experienced multi-disciplinary team that includes expertise in machine design, mechanism design and testing, biological and mechanical testing of wheelchairs, the prescription of wheelchairs and wheelchair seating, and rehabilitation medicine.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase I (R43)
Project #
1R43HD044271-01A3
Application #
6932129
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MRS (01))
Program Officer
Quatrano, Louis A
Project Start
2005-04-15
Project End
2007-03-31
Budget Start
2005-04-15
Budget End
2006-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$98,500
Indirect Cost
Name
Green Technologies, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
006346449
City
West Fork
State
AR
Country
United States
Zip Code
72774