Approximately 65 percent of manual wheelchair users experience upper extremity pain or injury, which can significantly impact their mobility and independence. Research has demonstrated a relationship between impact stresses on the upper extremities during wheelchair propulsion and upper extremity injury. Impact stresses occur when the hand contacts the pushrim, transmitting the stresses to the wrist, elbow, and shoulder. Current pushrim technologies do not effectively reduce these impact stresses. The FlexRim consists of an innovative flexible interface between the pushrim and wheel that reduces the impact stresses related to upper extremity injuries. In Phase I, three FlexRim concepts were developed and evaluated. The concepts allowed the pushrim to translate relative to the wheel, lowering impact forces. Use of the FlexRim did not adversely affect propulsion efficiency. In Phase II, the FlexRim design will be refined based upon Phase I results. Biomechanical evaluations of impact loading and mechanical efficiency will be conducted at the Pittsburgh Human Engineering Research Laboratories with 15 subjects. Thirty wheelchair users will evaluate the FlexRim over a three to six month period of use. Because the FlexRim reduces impact stresses related to upper extremity injuries, it serves to prevent injury, and preserve function and mobility.

Proposed Commercial Applications

The proposed wheelchair pushrim will potentially enhance the lives of all manual wheelchair users by reducing impact stresses on the upper extremities during wheelchair propulsion. The FlexRim will interface to most wheelchair wheels and will be sold as a standard wheelchair component or as an optional accessory.

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 II (R44)
Project #
2R44HD036533-02A2
Application #
6337202
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SSS-5 (10))
Program Officer
Quatrano, Louis A
Project Start
2001-09-13
Project End
2003-08-31
Budget Start
2001-09-13
Budget End
2002-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$411,599
Indirect Cost
Name
Beneficial Designs, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Minden
State
NV
Country
United States
Zip Code
89423
Richter, W Mark; Rodriguez, Russell; Woods, Kevin R et al. (2007) Consequences of a cross slope on wheelchair handrim biomechanics. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 88:76-80
Richter, W Mark; Rodriguez, Russell; Woods, Kevin R et al. (2007) Stroke pattern and handrim biomechanics for level and uphill wheelchair propulsion at self-selected speeds. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 88:81-7
Richter, W Mark; Rodriguez, Russell; Woods, Kevin R et al. (2006) Reduced finger and wrist flexor activity during propulsion with a new flexible handrim. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 87:1643-7
Richter, W Mark; Axelson, Peter W (2005) Low-impact wheelchair propulsion: achievable and acceptable. J Rehabil Res Dev 42:21-33