Iterative design and evaluation of new prone carts for individuals with SCDs: a technical note.
This paper summarizes a series of projects funded since 1992 to address the compelling need to improve the quality of life for persons with spinal cord dysfunctions who use prone carts. Specifically, Veterans Services Organization, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), and the VA Rehabilitation Research and Development funded studies to develop new consumer-driven designs for prone carts. Using an iterative approach, this team of clinicians and designers (1) evaluated existing prone carts; (2) designed a new manual prone cart; (3) designed a new motorized prone cart, including a standing model; and (4) are collaborating with manufacturers to market and commercialize the new prone carts. Prototypes were developed at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design with the assistance of Ortho-Kinetics, Inc., and Everest & Jennings and were clinically evaluated at two Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (Tampa and Milwaukee) with patients and caregivers and for compliance with applicable ISO (International Organization for Standardization) for electric wheelchair standards.
Malassigné
Pascal
P
Research Service, Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Milwaukee, WI 53295-1000, USA. pmalassi@miad.edu
Nelson
Audrey L
AL
Cors
Mark W
MW
Jensen
Robert P
RP
Amato
Margaret
M
Schnurr
Emil Sam
ES
Amerson
Thomas L
TL
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001513:Beds / Q000592:standards*; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014910:Wheelchairs / Q000592:standards