Why? zFor people going through ambulatory rehabilitation, parallel bars are necessary. Grasping the parallel bars or a walker, with their hands, is how people who are learning to walk again bear the majority of their weight. But some, for various reasons, are unable to grasp the bars or walker. These reasons include arthritis in the hands and wrists, spinal cord injuries, strokes, and multiple trauma.

Statistics zApproximately 450,000 people live with spinal cord injuries in the US. There are about 10,000 new spinal cord injuries every year result resulting from from motor vehicle accidents (36%), violence (28.9%), or falls (21.2%). 1 zFour million Americans are living with the effects of stroke. About one-third have mild impairments, another third are moderately impaired and the remainder are severely impaired. 2 zAbout 16 million Americans have osteoarthritis and 2.1 million have rheumatoid arthritis. 3

Problem Statement zSome patients in need of ambulatory rehabilitation sometimes are unable to bear weight on their wrists, which is a necessary part of traditional therapy. zA rehab device needs to be developed that will enable these patients to complete their therapy using the parallel bars.

Demands zSafe zAdjustable zAble to slide along the bars zMust stop when patient needs to zUsed by patients with different problems zComfortable for patient to use

Wishes zRelatively Inexpensive zEasy to attach zEasy to adjust zEasy to manufacture zAllows therapist to stand anywhere zRugged

What Others Have Done zRehabot yConsists of a robotic arm and harness which swing freely about the machine. It allows partial weight bearing by the legs and upper arm, but no weight on the lower arm. yHowever, it is another expensive machine that would have to be added to a rehabilitation center, instead of using the equipment already available. 4

What Others Have Done zStanford’s Rehabilitation Walking Aid yThis design has the patient's upper body leaning forward while the trunk and lower arms rest on padded supports. As the patient progresses, the amount of forward lean is reduced, until the patient is walking upright. yThis equipment is useful for those ready to use a walker, but is not compatible with the parallel bars. 5

Procedure zBrainstormed/discarded design ideas zObtained framing materials (walker, etc…) zFound that walker was difficult to adapt zOpted for PVC-based prototype zCreated the base and bar attachments

Safety zGait belt yTo allow the therapist to assist the patient in walking zCushioning surfaces yTo protect the patient zTherapists yTherapists would always be present to act as spotters zStoppers yOn ends of bars to prevent platform from sliding off zHarness yTo prevent the patient from falling - not useful for most

Case Study zCurrently, patients like Mr. Gordon are forced to use a walker platform, like the one shown, before they are ready. zMr. Gordon is in the hospital recovering from reconstructive neck surgery to correct a chiromalformation that was causing weakness in his limbs.

Thoughts on the Future zComplete construction of prototype zComplete a patient trial with stainless steel or aluminum version (dependent upon funding) zAdd safety features such as cushioning and rounded edges

Conclusions zA device was made that allows the therapist to work more easily with patients unable to bear weight on the wrists during parallel bar-assisted therapy. zThe device design meets demands of safety, patient comfort and usability, adjustability, ability to slide, and stopping ability. zIn addition, this relatively inexpensive device gives physical therapists the ability to move around and work with the patient.

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Design Diagram