Posts Tagged ‘wheelchair’

A peep into few modern medical mobility devices

Monday, September 27th, 2010

Today’s scientific and technological advances have furnished numerous gains in the field of medical devices and wheelchair accessories thus benefiting sick patients or people with temporary or permanent disabilities. Let us look into few of such devices (separate from a drink holder) that lend a helping hand to the needy.

Wheelchair: A chair with wheels that is intended to be used for moving about by a disabled or injured person. There are handles or knobs at the back for someone else to push and move it forward too.

There are diverse wheelchair models available currently which range from the basic manual model to hi-tech automatically powered ones. The newest mechanized wheelchairs are lighter, faster, and easier to use. They utilize specialized technology enhancements and offer better support to person’s back, neck, head, and legs. They also comprise of safety features like power-assisted brakes and anti-tipping mechanism. They also have accessories tailored to them like a cup holder or lap tray.

Walker: A walker or walking frame is a device for disabled or elderly who require extra support to sustain balance or steadiness when they walk. The user walks with the device in front and holds the corners and upper frames of the device with his hands for support. Conventionally, the walker is lifted and placed at a short distance from of the user. The user subsequently walks towards it and repeats the process. By means of wheels and glides, the user can now easily shove the walker instead of lifting it and then putting it ahead. A walker is an ideal tool for those who are recovering from leg or back injuries.

Hydraulic lift: A sling lift or patient lift or hydraulic lift is equipment commonly used in hospitals to move patients from bed to chair or any other place where the patient can rest. This device uses the principle of hydraulics or power of fluids to operate. Hydraulic lifts are used for patients who have restricted mobility. It allows heavy patients to be easily transferred with fewer people or staff. It also lessens the possibility of orthopedic injury from lifting patients.

Knee walker: A Knee walker is a perfect alternative to outdated crutches. It is a device used by people suffering from an injury below the knee. First, the user has to place his injured knee on the knee pad or bench of the walker and then propel and move ahead with the help of the able leg.

These innovative hi-tech medical devices have indeed overcome the limitations of many by offering them the freedom and mobility they deserve. So do not let illness or disability ruin your aspirations or those of someone you love.

Custom Wheelchairs

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

Wheelchairs are a boon to the physically disabled people who cannot walk or move. With the help of these wheelchairs they can move around anywhere and everywhere. Wheelchairs are now often available free of charge at the Information desk of malls, airports, etc. (Although you will probably need to leave some form of identification as security.) Wheelchairs are also accessories to provide the numerous functions depending on the needs of the user. There are wheelchairs for people with extreme paralysis, which can be controlled from anywhere in the body, such as a power chair, whose owner can control the movements with a mouthpiece, but the simplest form is a lightweight manual model.

Wheelchairs are flexible enough to be tailor-made for your requirements by adding reclining and foot rests, seat and legs elevation, tilting, power stand, and spring suspension. You can also use motorized wheelchairs for tight and low-radius turning. Wheelchairs are available in all different shapes and sizes.

The electric powered wheelchairs have become more popular in recent times. Wheelchairs are great inventions that have provided increased mobility and independence for people with temporary or permanent disabilities. Wheelchairs were originally a basic platform on a set of wheels, but these machines have developed many accessories for improvement since they were first used to help people.

Wheelchair users regard their accessories as a form of expression. Wheelchairs have come a long way from the traditional kind of manual to electric and with the attachment of accessories now introducing a new generation of snazzy and jazzy electric wheelchairs for the younger generations. Wheelchairs can also assist those younger individuals who need assistance walking, not just those with paralysis.

Disabled equipment makes moving easier and sometimes help health professionals to better handle older people as well. Some products, like wheelchairs are mobility accessories designed to help with movement while others assist with daily tasks, sometimes things that seem as simple as getting in and out of bed.

Disabled people often want to travel alone, a way in which they can keep their independence, and for this reason lightweight travel wheelchairs are a very much desired piece of equipment. Walking long corridors, like those from check in to an airplane departure gate can cause a huge amount of stress, even to someone who is only partially mobility impaired.

Lightweight wheelchairs provide more flexibility regarding design options for upholstery, arms rest, foot rest, back rest, wheels and casters, and seats. They are made from high quality material like chrome, titanium, aluminum, steel, and carbon fiber. Lightweight travel wheelchairs have changed so much in recent years that they are now cheaper and much more affordable. Ten years ago no one would ever have dreamed that a wheelchair could weigh only 10kgs and still function properly.

Common Wheelchair Accessories

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Wheelchair accessories are adapted and updated as new models of manual and power wheelchairs are developed. New wheelchairs accessory technology can keep patients safer and more comfortable.

Users have become more active, requiring better materials and additional features for improved stability and maneuverability. Wheelchair seating attempts to fulfill many competing goals including supporting posture, managing pressure, promoting function, and enabling safe transportation. Seat height, width, and depth can all be changed, as well as the way the front wheels work, addition of backrests and wheelchair cushions, and controls can even be added to standard designs. People who have special needs often have custom wheelchairs built.

Accessories such as drink and cup holders, bags and packs, carriers, and holder, push gloves, or trays. These accessories defiantly help increase the ease of the user and add comfort to difficult tasks. The United States Access Board (ATBCB) has done human subject testing to determine the amount of energy required for persons with and without disabilities to negotiate various outdoor surfaces. The physiological measures (oxygen consumption, heart rate, velocity, and ratings of perceived exertion) and level of difficulty ratings was shared with different mobility companies for use in design of wheelchairs and accessories. It was also found that users with good upper extremity function did not wish to have some accessories on the wheelchair, because they may interfere with movement.

Cup holders typically do not come with a new mobility chair. Yet, they can be easily purchased from a wheelchair store or an online retailer for around $10 to $30. Cup holders are but one trivial detail of course, and most users don’t consider them necessary, but on the American front users find it gives a better overall mobility experience. They allow a morning cup of Joe or and energy drink to be close at hand while the seat is occupied.