Variable Position Mid-Wheel Drive System for Power Wheelchairs

<p>The three primary drive systems for power wheelchairs-front, middle and rear wheel drives-have a wide range of advantages and disadvantages.&nbsp; Users select the drive system based on their individual needs.&nbsp; Currently, no power wheelchair has a variable position drive system that the power wheelchair user can automatically move fore/aft through a range that will provide the benefits of rear, middle and front wheel drive configurations (approximately a 36 cm range).&nbsp; Such a system would allow users to receive all the benefits of each drive wheel configuration in a single wheelchair (for example, adjusting the drive wheels toward the rear for stability and speed outdoors, and toward the center for maneuverability indoors).&nbsp; In Phase I, Criterion Health, Inc. will design, construct, and evaluate a proof of concept model based on current mid wheel designs with, however, a variable position drive wheel system that can move. forward or backward from the mid wheel position using a simple mechanical system to change the position of the drive wheels.&nbsp; A series of five structured tests for maneuverability and/or stability will be used to compare performance as a function of placement of the drive wheels.<br />
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Feasibility will be based on demonstrating that a variable position drive wheel system will optimize performance under a greater variety of terrain and environmental conditions than a single position drive wheel system.&nbsp; Phase I will focus on establishing the benefits of the variable position drive wheel system with the proof of concept model.&nbsp; Phase II will focus on the development of a power wheelchair base prototype with the variable position drive system, including any necessary enhancement and/or development of the control system.&nbsp; Phase II will also include the evaluation of the unit with human subjects, including, once safety has been demonstrated, power wheelchair users.&nbsp; The preparation and evaluation of a full working prototype will complete Phase II and precede Phase III commercialization in which it is anticipated that a major power wheelchair manufacturer will be interested in licensing the technology.&nbsp; The technology will provide power wheelchair users the ability to have a single wheelchair with the flexibility of use that is currently unavailable.</p>