Bi Use Wheelchair/Examination Table

Students working toward the Baccalaureate degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) at the University op Cincinnati are required to complete a Design, Build & Test Capstone design project. Some of these projects are geared to meet the needs of the local non-profit organizations that provide community service. For the past several years, the MET department has been working with these organizations to identify problems to be solved by senior students. The current focus is on improving the quality of life for the elderly and people with physical disabilities. Doctors and nurses examining wheelchair bound patients state that in order to minimize the risk and discomfort to the patients as well as the risk to the healthcare professionals, a better method to shift these patients from the wheelchair to an examination table should be devised. This paper describes a project solving this problem from concept to final working prototype. The practical solution was a bi-use wheelchair, which can function as a wheelchair, then will convert to an examination table that rises to the proper height. Introduction Wheelchair bound patients typically have a limited range of mobility. This makes it difficult to get them onto an examination table for diagnostic purposes. In many instances, it is necessary for them to be examined in a horizontal position for at least a part of the examination. Usually, the health care professional must physically lift the patient onto the examination table. This causes physical stress on both the patient and the healthcare worker. In addition, many doctors and nurses will not place a wheelchair bound patient onto an examination table because of legal liabilities. They may examine the patients while sitting in the wheelchair. This is uncomfortable for both the patient and the examiner and may result in incomplete or erroneous diagnosis. Healthcare professionals, who were consulted, suggested that a device addressing the above need would be beneficial. This paper describes a Senior Capstone Design project resulting in a prototype of the “Bi-Use Wheelchair” to help meet patients’ and examiners’ needs.