Power-Chair

A powerchair can be used by someone who hasn’t got the dexterity or mobility, perhaps, to drive a mobility scooter due to arm, hand, shoulder or more general disabling conditions, and do not have the leg strength to propel a manual chair with their feet. EPWs can offer various powered functions such as tilt, recline, leg elevation, seat elevation, and others useful or necessary to health and function.

A powerchair user might also have special seating or arm and leg rest requirements that are better served by a powerchair than a mobility scooter. The technology involved in electric wheelchairs is similar to that of mobility scooters and some powerchair manufacturers are offering models that look more like a mobility scooter than a traditional wheelchair.

Today you will find three general styles of electric powered chairs (EPWs): rear, center, front wheel driven or four wheel driven. Each style wheelchair has particular handling characteristics.

EPWs are also divided by seat type; some models resemble manual chairs, with a sling-style seat and frame, whereas others have 'captain's chair' seating like that of an automobile. EPWs run the gamut from small and portable models, which can be folded or disassembled, to very large and heavy full-featured chairs (these are often called 'rehab' chairs).

The user typically controls speed and direction by operating a joystick on a controller. Many other input devices can be used if the user lacks coordination or the use of the hands or fingers, such as chin controls and puff/sip scanners

Powerchairs are usually controlled by a joystick on the armrest which can be fitted on either armrest to suit left or right handed use. The arm rest can usually be swung out of the way so that the user can get closer to a desk or table for example. If a joystick control isn’t appropriate for the user’s needs, there are other methods of operating the powerchair, including a head controller, a sip and puff tube, fingertip control or foot control for those with C2-3 spinal cord lesions or head injuries (the user blows into a tube located near the mouth, which controls the movement of the chair).

A powerchair or electric wheelchair can bring independence and freedom to those currently reliant on others. Once you have decided on a powerchair rather than a mobility scooter or wheelchair, there are still plenty of other choices to be made. Including the price, the style and size of the powerchair, how portable the powerchair is, and how far it goes between charges.

Traditionally powerchairs were not designed to be transported, and so were very difficult to dismantle. Nowadays, most electric wheelchairs are transportable, and some are very easy to dismantle.  Powerchairs are using technology and features found on mobility scooters such as easy to remove battery packs, and easy to dissemble components that may mean the user doesn’t need any additional help in order to transport or recharge the electric wheelchair.

Powerchairs are usually more customisable than disabled scooters, and can offer different types of control method and seating. For example, the range of the powerchair between charges may not be as important as it having an electric lift so that you can reach shelves or cupboards. It might be more important that it is available with a specialist seat, rather than dismantling to fit in the car.

Up until recently, electric wheelchairs were predominantly designed for indoor use, this has now changed as the technology and user requirements have changed. It is now possible to buy powerchairs that are equally suited to indoor and outdoor use. Nowadays, electric wheelchairs are available with a range of well over 20 miles and a speed of up to 6mph. These powerchairs come with outdoor style wheels and tyres and look more rugged and suitable for outdoor use. They sometimes have additional rear wheels to aid stability when off road for example. These models are much more suitable for outdoor use than indoor use. Rear or mid wheel drive powerchair are the most popular and ideal for using outdoors as well as indoors.

If the powerchair is going to be used in the home as well as outdoors, it is important to ensure that the powerchair is suitable, comfortable and provides the right level of support. A 6mph high-performance electric wheelchair designed for use outside is not necessarily suitable for all day use in a small flat. As powerchair users often spend more time in their powerchairs, the powerchair needs to be right for the environment it’s going to be used in. There is no point having a big high performance powerchair if it’s too big to use indoors, or a small compact powerchair if it is to be used primarily outdoors. The powerchair performance may be an important factor if it is to replace a car, or provide independence and allow extended journeys.

Different users will need different sorts of seat, leg rests and armrests as they provide the user with comfort and stability. A powered seat, tilt and recline back, or electric leg rests might also be an optional accessory.  If the user will be spending a lot of time in the powerchair, then a wheelchair cushion, especially a memory foam cushion will be a wise investment to ensure comfort and help to prevent pressure sores.

Powerchairs charge in the same way that mobility scooters do. The battery charger will usually plug into the powerchair control unit whilst the batteries are attached. This means that the user doesn’t have to worry about lifting or refitting batteries.

Most models of electric wheelchair have a range of additional extras available. These can include different leg rests, armrests, oxygen tank holders, and in some cases a different seating system. Some powerchairs are available with elevating seats so that the user can reach items on a work surface, on a shelf, or in a cupboard, that are normally out of reach of powerchair users.

Another option for someone who uses a traditional style of wheelchair is to add a battery pack and motor to the wheelchair. This will then turn the wheelchair into an attendant controlled powerchair.  This is a good option if the attendant regularly pushes the wheelchair up hills, or wants to be able to be able to go up hills.  The only downside to this option is that the user isn’t independent and has to rely on someone to push them around.  However, this can be a good compromise between a traditional wheelchair and a powerchair.

A powerchair can help to maintain or bring back independence. As they are easy to operate and maintain, electric wheelchairs can make a significant difference to the quality of life.

Read more: http://www.disabled-world.com/assistivedevices/mobility/wheelchairs/electric/#ixzz1M0omblir

Pride is one of the best company out there and their price won't break your B-account

Pride Mobility Products Corporation is the manufacturer of the number one selling brand of mobility scooters in the United States. Putting a tremendous amount of effort into designing and manufacturing high quality mobility scooters is just one of the reasons Pride Mobility has risen above the competition. Their innovative designs and durable product lines help individuals who have difficulty walking participate in activities and events they might otherwise have to avoid. A Pride Mobility Scooter helps an individual who is having some trouble getting around on their own to easily move themselves around the house, shopping mall, or village streets while allowing them to maintain their independence.

Pride Mobility Scooters are well respected in their industry for being more than just a means of transportation. Their scooters are designed with the reliability needs, comfort and convenience of the user being highly accounted for in their designs. Pride Mobility Scooters are carefully constructed to be smooth riding, quiet and easy to operate.

The individual is never forgotten during the design of a Pride Mobility Scooter and personal style and taste preferences are also taken into consideration during the design process. A large selection of models that accommodate different individual needs and budgets are available in a wide array of colors.  Convenient features and accessories help to ensure the rider is able to move about with the least amount of physical exertion and at a more than adequate level of personal comfort.

Pride Mobility Products Corporation has several authorized sales and distribution centers throughout the United States. These distributors represent the world leader in mobility equipment and represent the Pride Mobility Scooter product line and also provide service when necessary. These authorized distributors are knowledgeable and experienced at answering questions and making recommendations that will help you select the Pride Mobility Scooter that is best for the individual. Some distributors will even allow a potential buyer to take the mobility scooter out for on-site trials for a specific period of time.  A trial period allows the individual to more accurately determine the scooters performance, and whether the controls, seating, and leg room are sufficiently comfortable for long-term use.

The combination of style, solid performance and exceptional value found with Pride Mobility Scooters is consistent throughout their various models. For many people who have conditions that adversely affect their mobility, a Pride Mobility Scooter can be a cost effective and attractive alternative to a motorized wheel chair.  For some a more attractive, less “medical” appearance is an important factor.  For others, greater flexibility is a primary consideration.  For those not requiring the sophisticated electronics or seating systems of a powered wheelchair, the smaller price tag is attractive.  Whatever the reason for considering a scooter, models should be carefully evaluated for their capability to accommodate a person’s disability and meet the requirements of the intended use.  In addition to gathering information from a Pride Mobility Scooter distributor, those who are purchasing their first Pride Mobility Scooter should consult with their physician, therapist, or other rehabilitation professional to determine whether a mobility scooter is the best option and what functional features are required to suit their individual needs.

Concept Electric powered wheelchair

Electric powered wheelchairs are the only way of movement for too many disabled users. But motorized wheelchairs never really changed much from classical wheelchair design and concept – which is more than 100 years old.. Because of this, they are often also very expensive, and inaccessible to many, especially in developing countries.

But new concept designed by s Ju Hyun Lee, gives hope to change all that. Their proposal for solution is named NEWS (New Electric Wheelchairs) and is still in concept phase.

The main idea and technological breakthrough is that this is not self standing electric powered wheelchair, but rather a motorized wheelchair add-on for existing manual wheelchairs. So it actually does not want to replace your existing electric wheelchair; rather it is attached to the standard wheelchair. NEWS gives instant electric motorized power to wheelchair.

Also the design of the concept is clean, well-thought and robust. It brings the design of 21st century to assistive devices. If NEWS concept becomes a reality, it will definitely change the industry.

Price wise not much is known, but it should not be expensive – meaning that once mass productions starts, we should see it at very competitive price point, which will make electric wheelchairs available to broader masses of people in need… Meaning it should be perfect for end users and also hospitals, therapy centers and nursing homes…

Stair-Walking electric wheelchair

This is a bit older news, but somehow it got unnoticed by us at the time of launch… But still it is so interesting, that we are fixing our mistake and running a story! French company named HMC2Development has launched a stair-walking motorized wheel chair named TOPCHAIR in mid 2007! The motorized wheel chair was in development since 2001. This was even before the well known and world-wide appraised iBOT Electric electric wheelchair… But the iBOT is a wheelchair that runs on wheels, and was first developed in 90s. While it can actually rise up on the rear wheels to attain a stand position and also has a certain capabilities of climbing stairs, the fact that it runs on wheels, makes this type of wheelchair less stable and so it has its limitations compared to the Top chair stair climbing wheelchair.

Topchair uses different approach to conquering the stairs, as it uses rubber tracks similar to those found in tanks. This technology allows Topchair motorized wheel chair to go up or down the 20 cm high step (8 inch) made from metal or wood or concrete with maximum slope of 33° (65%). It does so while user sits comfortably and safely onboard without any help of  fixed structure like a ramp and with no need for an attendant.

Topchair uses two 60 Ah gel batteries, allowing it 35 km driving authonomy or over 300 steps in a single charge. This stair walking wheelchair also got the prestigius 2008 Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Innovation in the European mobility aids markets. You can get more information on manufacturer’s website.

History of wheelchair

One of the first written documents that mentions wheelchair dates back to 1596 when a painting of King Phillip II of Spain, sitting on a chair with wheels, with arm- and leg-rests, was drawn. Like all similar endavours this wheelchair needed help from second person to move it around. For today's standards it looked more like baby's highchair. History books reveal that the concept of wheelchair was not unique to one ruler, since King Louis XIV was also using one. 

Next step in advancement was archieved in 1665 when first (documented) self propelled wheelchair was invented by German, Stephen Ferfler. Wheelchair had three wheels, and a hand-propelled mechanism was attached to the front wheel, so overall it looked like todays hand-bikes. It took another 200 years before wheelchairs started to taking up the shape and form as we know it today.

Manual wheelchair 

Of course the number of users dramatically increased in 19th century, when medicine progressed to a modern age and was for the first time in history able to prolong life to many previously terminal cases (injuries, accidents, illnesses, war wounds…). If initially wheelchairs were used just as a fast and easy mean to move disabled from one place to another, but this role changed as society progressed. Disabled were reintegrated in community, and wheelchairs allowed them to express their individuality and independence.

First patent for a wheelchair was granted in 1869 – wheelchair had a fixed frame a wicker seat and large rear wheels, which user had to turn to propel forward.

What would look like a modern wheelchair, began to get shape in the late 19th and early 20th century. Numerous inventions and improvements fashioned push rim for self-propulsion and slings for seat and backrests. The reduced size and weight made self-propulsion feasible and gave additional boost to rapid development in wheelchairs.

NRC's George Klein and his team

created the first practical motorized

wheelchair at NRC in the 1950s.

Efficiency of wheelchairs was prime topic at start of 20th century. In 1932 engineer Harry Jennings built the first foldable frame wheelchair, which allowed for easy movement and transport of the wheelchair. Along with his paraplegic friend he founded the Everest and Jennings company, which is still active today. Company is important, because they were also the first the first wheelchair company to come up with the idea of a mobile wheelchair. From this the first powered motorized wheelchair was born in 1951 (hence the expression powerchair).

Sport wheelchair 

The idea for sporting wheelchair came at the approximate same time, and when the famous Stoke Mandeville Games took place in Great Britain in 1952, ww2 veterans competed in games tailored for wheelchair players. After the event international wheelchair games were borned, and thanks to their popularity a variety of sport wheelchairs came to the market. Interesting thing is, that these chairs are tailored for sports – such as basketball, or tennis or bowling…

Modern electric wheelchair

In the 1970s, thanks to new materials, the wheelchair became more lightweight. This meant more manoeuvrability for the user, and also simpler transport from one location to another.

Advancement in the perfectiveness of the modern wheelchair is especially visible from 1980's. Designs of wheelchairs are lighter and perform better than ever before. Many new features improve the ride: suspension mechanisms which remove vibrations and jolts, strong but thin and light weight frames which enable better performance… During 1990's trend turned towards customization, as everything can be individualized, from designs, to add-ons… Advanced technology allows paralysed users to manoeuver wheelchair with breath control, and thanks to the fast computers even power chairs that rises up on 2 wheels for access to high places, and climbing over steps is available. The wheelchair and its surrogates, like exo-sceletons and other advanced assitive devices will continue to evolve and improve based.

Source: electric-wheelchair-on.netElectric wheelchair