A Wheelchair Anti-Rollback Device

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant Wheelchairs in the modern form have been around since at least when John Joseph Merlin invented pushrim propulsion The Merlin Chair as it was called bears a remarkable resemblance to wheelchairs today despite the intervening years The conventional pushrim operated wheelchair has become the prevalent assistive care mobility device because of its simplicity low cost and intuitive operation However there i a cost for these advantages as the kinematic design leaves much to be desired causing a high incidence of injuries and pain over time Ramps and inclines are ubiquitous in the world Ascending a ramp with a conventional pushrim wheelchair requires a push and grab propulsion technique which results in increased forces being repetitively imposed on the arms and shoulders These forces result in increased incidence of injuries Additionally if the manual wheelchair has strength or coordination challenges negotiating ramps can be especially difficult and dangerous with the possibility of crashes and falling The wheelchair anti rollback device addresses these injury and safety issues with a simple innovative mechanism which has selectable anti rollback and free wheeling modes The mechanism also allows complete maneuverability including backward propelling while in anti rollback mode The premise of the study is that the use of the device will decrease the incidence and severity of user reported pain An electronic use monitor will record frequency of use data Multiple prototype devices will allow both in lab testing and an in home field trial Data collected will include push dynamics and user outcomes measures allowing correlation of the operation of the device with user reported pain PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE The premise of this study is that the use of the anti rollback device will decrease the incidence and severity of user reported pain Multiple prototype devices will allow both in lab testing and an in home field trial Data collected will include push dynamic and user outcomes measures allowing correlation of the operation of the device with the user pain reported