The United States Government As Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs

University of Minnesota

Other

Fraunhofer-gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.v.

Gary D Goldish

Andrew H Hansen

Eric A Nickel

John E Ferguson

Stuart Richard Fairhurst

Urs Schneider

Gregory Owen Voss

A trunk control system having a harness assembly and a flexion control assembly. The harness assembly has a backrest member and a harness secured to the backrest member. The backrest member is configured to be moveably coupled to a wheelchair. The backrest member is selectively moveable about and between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position. The harness cooperates with the backrest member to define a receiving space for receiving at least a portion of a torso of a wheelchair user. The flexion control assembly is coupled to the backrest member of the harness assembly. The flexion control assembly is configured to selectively permit or restrict movement of the backrest member about and between the fully retracted position and the fully extended position.

Trunk control systems and wheelchairs comprising same

An exercise machine has a mobile base and an upright support extending upwards from the mobile base. An upper support assembly extends forward from an upper portion of the upright support and an exercise device is suspended from the upper support assembly at a location spaced forward from the upright support. The exercise machine may include a compact and safe counterbalancing gas spring mechanism that tends to move the exercise device away from the exerciser, and that requires a force to be applied to move an exercise device down towards the exerciser. The exercise machine may include an exercise device that is rotatable along a vertical axis, and may be coupled to an adjustable monitor for a wide range of uses. The exercise machine may be used by a exerciser lying supine, sitting in a chair or wheelchair, or standing in front of or adjacent the exercise machine.

Exercise machine

A manual wheelchair including a collapsible frame with at least one brace connected to at least one of the frame members. A drive wheel axel extends along a first axis of rotation and engages a drive wheel, the first brace, and a portion of a transmission. A push rim axel extends along a second axis of rotation and engages a push rim wheel, the second brace, and a portion of the transmission, which transmits rotation of the push rim to rotation of the drive wheel. The at least one brace is configured to release the at least one of the frame members to collapse the wheelchair.

Collapsible manual wheelchair system for improved propulsion and transfers

A manual wheelchair including a collapsible frame having a first lateral member that is connected to first and second braces at their respective first ends. A drive wheel axel extends along a first axis of rotation and engages a drive wheel, the first brace, and a portion of a transmission. A push rim axel extends along a second axis of rotation and engages a push rim wheel, the second brace, and a portion of the transmission, which transmits rotation of the push rim to rotation of the drive wheel. The collapsible frame additionally includes a second lateral member that is connected to the first and second braces as their respective second ends. The first and second braces are configured to release the second lateral member to collapse the manual wheelchair.

Manual wheelchair system for improved propulsion and transfers

An exercise machine has a mobile base and an upright support extending upwards from the mobile base. An upper support assembly extends forward from an upper portion of the upright support and an exercise device is suspended from the upper support assembly at a location spaced forward from the upright support. The mobile base has caster wheels and can be positioned from either side of a bed so as to extend partially under a bed with the upright support located on one side of the bed and the exercise device suspended over the bed in a position accessible by a patient lying supine in the bed for performing exercise. An anchoring system resists movement of the base for stability when exercise is performed.

Exercise machine and method for use in a supine position

A manual wheelchair including a collapsible frame having a first lateral member that is connected to first and second braces at their respective first ends. A drive wheel axle extends along a first axis of rotation and engages a drive wheel, the first brace, and a portion of a transmission. A push rim axle extends along a second axis of rotation and engages a push rim wheel, the second brace, and a portion of the transmission, which transmits rotation of the push rim to rotation of the drive wheel. The collapsible frame additionally includes a second lateral member that is connected to the first and second braces as their respective second ends. The first and second braces are configured to release the second lateral member to collapse the manual wheelchair.

The present invention relates to a novel approach means of screening various skin surfaces, including hard to reach areas of the human body, as well as more commonly seen areas such as the foot. The present invention can help patients, especially those who are immobile or those with diabetes self-monitor and transmit the skin condition accurately, so that medical providers may assess the risk or presence of skin tissue breakdown. Thus, provision is made for a remote screening device that can be used in telemedicine or home self-monitoring approaches and offers high resolution image, without artifacts or other distortions that might arise from images taken of feet that have been compressed through standing and the like.

System for screening skin condition for tissue damage

A manual wheelchair including a frame, a drive wheel connected to the frame, having a first axis of rotation and configured to rotate relative to the frame, a push rim connected to the frame, having a second axis of rotation extending substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel and configured to rotate relative to the frame, wherein the second axis of rotation of the push rim is offset from the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel in a direction orthogonal to the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel, and a transmission configured to transmit rotation of the push rim to rotation of the drive wheel. Additionally, the wheelchair may also include multispeed fixed-gear hubs for propulsion on different terrain and removable or rotatable push rims for easier transfers.

The present invention relates to a novel approach means of screening foot skin condition of patients at risk for foot tissue breakdown, such as persons with diabetes, through the provision of a remote screening device that can be used in telemedicine or home self-monitoring approaches. The invention would record high resolution images of the bottom of the patient's feet, without artifacts or other distortions that might arise from images taken of feet that have been compressed through standing and the like. These images could immediately be viewed by the patient and/or electronically submitted to a medical facility where clinicians could screen the images for signs of tissue breakdown.

System for screening the skin condition of the plantar surface of the feet

The present invention relates to a novel approach to improving the use of wheelchairs by offering the ability for the wheelchair to transition between accommodation for a seated position, and accommodation for a standing position, more particularly, wherein the inventive mobile manual standing wheelchair allows for a standing position during the course of mobile use, and which also permits the user to traverse narrow entrances and doorframes, and also allows the user to have improved access in front for elevated surfaces such as countertops and the like.

Mobile manual standing wheelchair

The present invention relates to a novel approach to improving the use of wheelchairs by offering the ability for the wheelchair to transition between accommodation for a seated position, and accommodation for a standing position, more particularly, wherein the inventive mobile manual standing wheelchair allows for a standing position during the course of mobile use, and which also permits fixed gearing of multiple speeds that also accommodates forwards and backwards motion.

A support that uses gravity and the patient's own body weight to produce traction for lumbar reduction is in the form of a vest worn around the patient's chest and including weight supporting arm rests attached to the vest, so the elbows and forearms can be rested thereon to partially support the patient's weight. The weight supported through the arms relieves part of the load on the ribs and trunk of the patient. The support is low cost and means for supporting it comprises an overhead cross bar such as the commonly used chinning bar that is supported in a doorway at a height adjusted so the patient can touch the floor with his toes and adjust the weight supported through the vest, as well. The support is through overhead straps which are arranged to provide laterally inward forces to urge the vest sections toward the body of a user.

Gravity lumbar traction device and treatment method

A support that uses gravity and the patient's own body weight to produce traction for lumbar reduction is in the form of a vest worn around the patient's chest and including weight supporting arm rests attached to the vest, so the elbows and forearms can be rested thereon to partially support the patient's weight. The weight supported through the arms relieves part of the load on the ribs and trunk of the patient. The support is low cost and comprises a cross bar such as the commonly used chinning bar that is supported in a doorway at a height adjusted so the patient can touch the floor with his toes and adjust the weight supported through the vest, as well.

Growing community of inventors

Plymouth, MN, United States of America

Gary D Goldish