Iterative design and evaluation of new prone carts for individuals with SCDs: a technical note

• Published in: Journal of rehabilitation research and development Vol. 39; no. 1; pp. 127 - 139
• Main Authors: Malassigné, Pascal, Nelson, Audrey L, Cors, Mark W, Jensen, Robert P, Amato, Margaret, Schnurr, Emil Sam, Amerson, Thomas L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Superintendent of Documents 01.01.2002
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Beds - standards; Design; Equipment Design; Equipment Safety; Equipment testing; Female; Humans; Injury Severity Score; Iterative methods; Male; Orthopedics; Patient treatment; Pilot Projects; Product design; Quality of Life; Rehabilitation Centers; Self-Help Devices; Spinal cord injuries; Spinal Cord Injuries - rehabilitation; Wheelchairs; Wheelchairs - standards
• ISSN: 0748-7711; 1938-1352

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.