Improving Quality of Life:
Innovative Design of Wheelchair Pressure Relief Timer for the Prevention of Pressure Sores
Developed by ELM Designs in the Bioengineering Department at the Pennsylvania State University...
Executive Summary
Innovative design of wheelchair pressure relief timer for the prevention of presure sores
Pressure sore development is one of the most common as well as devastating consequences of being wheelchair-bound, but it can easily be prevented through a series of pressure relief exercises. Through cooperation with the HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital we will be developing an automated multi-sensor wheelchair pressure timer that reminds the patient to conduct exercises which relieve pressure on either of the ischial tuberosities as well as the sacrum. Pressure sensors will be strategically positioned in the regions of high pressure impact as well as accommodating a wide range of patient sizes. Information from the pressure sensors will be transmitted to a microchip which will output this data to various alert and timing systems. After generating four possible pressure sensor designs and taking into consideration the patients’ needs, the preferred pressure-sensing system chosen employed a tri-zone arrangement of the pressure sensors. After implementation, the design will undergo robust multiphase testing in the areas of durability, reliability, and comfort. By incorporating direct patient feedback, robust testing, and material research, this proposal will optimize patient independence and quality of life. A holistic approach will take into account not only physiological design constraints, but the emotional well being of the patient as well.
Our Sponsor :
Health south NIttany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital
The primary focus of the team of health professionals at the HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital is to return patients to their previous independence with the help of the latest techniques and equipment. HealthSouth emphasizes the importance of a coordinated rehabilitative approach with the input of experts from a variety of disciplines. A large percentage of HealthSouth’s patients have paraplegia. For these patients, the proper assessment of their seating needs is crucial to their quality of life. Pressure sore development is one of the most common and devastating consequences of being wheelchair-bound.
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