Wheelchair with drop down armrest for sliding transfers by user

描述(申请人提供)：该项目的目的是创造和证明一种新的转移轮椅，防止摔倒，并帮助用户保持更长的独立性。它将扶手放在下面，只用一只手，作为附加的转接板使用。这使得那些手使用、重心转移能力和意识有限的人可以独立设置和转移，而不会冒着在可以从轮椅上滑下的滑板上受伤的风险。目前这一概念的改装原型将与InVacare 9000XT轮椅整合在一起，为未来的制造提供更好的功能和更高的成本效益。InVacare Inc.将在对其功能进行可行性研究之前提供设计和测试方面的专业知识。将对合适的受试者进行测试，以比较转接轮椅和标准转接板在床、浴缸和厕所之间的转接。转让将通过基于专家观察员的评级和用户自我报告评级进行评估。职业治疗师将使用PASS(自我护理技能绩效评估)评估工具的适用部分来衡量以观察员为基础的绩效。第一阶段的积极结果将导致第二阶段项目，目标是完善设计、选择部件、供应商、材料、开发制造工艺，并在试验性多地点临床研究中对该设备进行评估。这将导致与Invacare制定一项营销战略，以确保第三阶段商业化的全面成功。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The purpose of this project is to create and prove a new transfer wheelchair that prevents falls and helps users maintain their independence longer. It incorporates armrests that lower down, using only one hand, for use as attached transfer boards. This allows those with limited hand use, weight shifting ability and awareness to set up and transfer independently without risking injury on a board that can slide off of the wheelchair. The current retrofitting prototype of the concept will be integrated with the Invacare 9000XT wheelchair with greater functionality and cost effectiveness for future manufacture. Invacare Inc. will lend expertise in the design and testing before a feasibility study of its functionality is performed. Suitable subjects will be tested to compare the transfer wheelchair to the standard transfer board for transfers to and from bed, tub and toilet. Transfers will be evaluated by expert observer-based and user self-report ratings. Observer-based performance will be measured by occupational therapists using the applicable sections of the PASS (Performance Assessment of Self- Care Skills) assessment tool. Positive results for Phase I will lead to a Phase II project with the objectives of refining the design, choosing parts, suppliers, materials, developing the manufacturing processes, and evaluating the device in pilot multi-site clinical studies. This will lead to the development of a marketing strategy with Invacare to ensure the overall success of commercialization in Phase III.