Stand Alone Group Members: Jaime Alvarez Austin Chamberlain Trey Smith Jung Hoon Kim
Executive Summary Problem: Elderly or disabled individuals living alone may fall and need help standing up. A need exists for a device to aid them in standing up alone. Objective: Design and build a device to help people stand from the floor. The device should be simple to operate, safe, and affordable.
Approach Conduct thorough Biomechanical analysis to yield the best solution: Conduct research on nature and severity of falls Consult physical therapist for information on falls Analyze feasibility of device for various conditions Use BME, ME, and EE expertise to design the best solution
The Market and Similar Devices Many types of lifting devices exist Problems with existing devices User has to possess good upper/lower body strength Don’t lift high enough or descend low enough Designed for wheelchair transport Uniqueness of our device Mobile, easy to use, safe, cheap, wide lifting range
Solution: Stand Alone Device Fixed and stable Easily Accessible Unobstructed entrance Simple Mechanism
Design Background and Specifications Chain/pulley system for lifting Protection from moving parts Stable, welded iron frame for strength Seat should come down to 1.5 in. from the ground Seat should lift high enough for all people (at least 30 in.) Simple control and easy-access seat Seatbelt for safety Reduce friction and noise
Dimensions 18 in 15 in 55 in 40 in 34 in 28 in 1.5 in 31 in
Model Pictures
Data * * * User felt very safe, comfortable, and stable. * * User felt safe, comfortable but bit unstable at the end * User felt the device having hard time lifting the user, stable at the beginning but getting unstable as it reaches high height.
Costs / Economics Winch: $125 Angle iron: $36 Welding materials: $10 Screws, nuts, bolts: $10 Seat material, Seat-belt: $39 Total expenditures: $220 Development cost: 4 $15/hour, 300 hours + $220 = $18220 Approximate product cost: $350 Life cycle: 40 ~ 50 years Resources BME lab workshop Machine Shop
Insurance Coverage Requirements Medical prescription required Medical need must be demonstrated Device may not be fully covered, 80% Patient must demonstrate walking ability (DME) Durable medical equipment coverage required
Recommendations Reduce size & weight of device Use more innovative materials Insure quiet operation Improve comfort level Propose advanced patient finding features Detail marketing approach
Team Qualifications Jaime Alvarez ME, Experience with Robotics, Computer Graphics Austin Chamberlain BME Trey Smith BME Jung Hoon Kim BME, EE, Electrical Engineering expertise for possible use in device control system and operation
Advisers & Consultants Dr. Paul H. King Professor of Biomedical Engineering Jason Roberts State of Tennessee's Employment Security Dr. Joel Barnett ME Professor Dr. David Owens Owen Business School Professor Gary Chamberlain Welder/ Carpenter