I-Corps: A New Assistive Device for Wheelchair Users

这个I-Corps项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是，它将解决一个重要的公共卫生问题-恢复残疾人的行动能力。该技术为轮椅使用者提供了一种新的辅助装置，以提高他们的上肢力量和轮椅的灵活性。足够的力量和机动性对于克服障碍、独立运作和维持生活质量至关重要。几乎每个医疗机构都为300万依赖轮椅的美国成年人提供某种形式的治疗。将这项技术建立为一种强大且可用的辅助设备的临床意义在于，它可以用于治疗大量轮椅使用者的设施。使用这项技术来提高力量和移动性可以帮助减少与照顾残疾人相关的巨大医疗成本。这个I-Corps项目将获得来自轮椅使用者，临床医生和辅助设备制造商的反馈，以更好地了解轮椅使用者面临的移动性挑战。参与体育活动是轮椅使用者的首要任务，改善力量和轮椅移动性的有效干预措施值得广泛实施。然而，有一些主要的障碍会对轮椅使用者从事体力活动的能力产生负面影响。这项技术规避了其中的几个限制。研究表明，与传统设备相比，这项技术是轮椅无障碍和高度可调，引起更大的力量增益，并作为一个安全的运动轮椅使用者。探索客户需求和动机将更好地了解该技术的市场机会，以进一步应对与移动性相关的挑战。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is that it will address an important public health problem - restoring mobility in individuals with disability. The proposed technology offers a new assistive device for wheelchair users to improve their upper-body strength and wheelchair mobility. Adequate strength and mobility are critical for overcoming obstacles, functioning independently, and maintaining quality of life. Nearly every healthcare facility provides some form of treatment to the 3 million U.S. adults who rely on wheelchairs for assistance. The clinical significance of establishing this technology as a robust and usable assistive device is that it could be used in facilities where a large number of wheelchair users are treated. Using this technology to improve strength and mobility could help to reduce the enormous healthcare costs associated with caring for individuals that have disabilities.This I-Corps project will obtain feedback from wheelchair users, clinicians, and assistive device manufactures to better understand mobility challenges that wheelchair users face. Engaging in physical activity is a top priority for wheelchair users and effective interventions that improve strength and wheelchair mobility deserve widespread implementation. However, there are major barriers that negatively impact wheelchair user's ability to engage in physical activity. This technology circumvents several of these limitations. Research indicates that compared to traditional devices, this technology is wheelchair accessible and highly adjustable, elicit greater strength gains, and serves as a safe movement for wheelchair users. Exploring customer needs and motivations will provide a better understanding of the market opportunity of the technology to further address mobility related challenges.