Powered%20Mobility%20and%20Electronic%20Assistive%20Technology

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Powered Mobility and Electronic Assistive
Technology
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Overview

• Introduction
• Outcomes
• Power Wheelchair manufacturers
• What can be controlled
• Summary

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Modern power wheelchairs now have the options to
control a PC, mobile phone or other technology
around us
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Positive outcomes

• Same input device controls all
• Reduced number of control devices (mouse, remote
  control units, joysticks, switches etc.)
• User will not need assistance to gain access to
  other controls and hence more independence
• Improved ergonomics (no stretching over
  wheelchair tray)
• Portability
• Remove the need for a height adjustable table,
  specially designed cut-out in table for PC access
• Can reduced overall cost of technology solution
  (not always the case)

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Challenges

• User may be more efficient at using another input
  devices other than wheelchair control
• A problem with the power wheelchair may lead to
  loss of control with everything
• Setup may require user to change original
  joystick on power chair

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• Can you setup integrated controls on any power
  chair?
• Yes, but may need considerable upgrade of
  wheelchair components

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Power wheelchair manufacturers

• Invacare (78 of Irish Market)
• Dynamic controls (majority)
• PG Drive Technology
• Sunrise Medical
• Delphi
• PG Drive Technology?
• Drive Medical
• Dynamic controls
• PG Drive Technology?
• Permobil
• PG Drive Technology
• Dynamics

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• DX
• DX2
• Shark (budget)
• Rhino (scooter)
• R-series (scooter)

• R-net
• VR2 (budget)
• VSI (budget)
• S-Drive (scooter)

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Omni module for PG Drives Technology (r-net only)
Enhanced Display for Sunrise Medical (Delphi
controls)
DX2 REM550 for Dynamic Controls
Easy Rider - Can be used on various chairs
Genie Joystick for Dynamic Controls
Genie for (Dynamic Controls)
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Proportional
Non-Proportional
Switch
Standard joystick
Sip and puff
Switch array
Finger joystick
Mini joystick
Switch scanner
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PC access

• Mouse emulator
• Infra red
• Bluetooth
• Onscreen keyboard
• Dwell click

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Environmental control

• Infra-red
• TV, music player
• Door opener
• Curtain and window opener
• IR telephone
• Cable
• Relays module
• Communication machine
• External ECU device

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Mobile phone control

• Smart phone with application software
• Application software enables user to text, dial
  and answer calls
• E.g. ClickTophone
• Some mobile phones may have limited access

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Factors to consider

• Aesthetics
• Users ability to access other devices
• What is involved in the setup
• How intuitive it is for user
• Functionality
• Responsiveness of mouse control
• Support from manufacturer
• Cost

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What is involved in the setup?

• Unfortunately you cannot just swap a joystick
• Parameters related to the motors, batteries and
  other modules on the a chair are stored on the
  Joystick
• New Joystick comes with a generic setup
• Requires a PC with software and special cable to
  set up
• Typically a technician and therapist may be
  involved

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Summary

• Integration of powered wheelchair and AT enables
  the user to have control of their environment and
  their power wheelchair using the one input device
• Most power wheelchairs can be setup to integrate
  with other assistive technology
• Needs a level expertise and specialist tools to
  setup