Care S Easy Transfer Wheelchair by Rajiv Surya

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DESIGN DETAILS

DESIGN NAME:
Care S

PRIMARY FUNCTION:
Easy Transfer Wheelchair

INSPIRATION:
As I have experienced this issue at my home with my paralyzed grandmother and my aunt who was a caregiver for her at home. 18 years of paralysis was also increasing the burden level of the caregiver - physically and emotionally both, and also decreasing the quality of life, too. During that course of time, I was always thinking about it as how to decrease the pain of the caregiver with easy process of caregiving. The patient should also not feel as he/she is a burden to them. So, transferring the patient is a painful task experienced daily 3 to 4 times and focused on this issue to come out with this product.

UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Caregivers face different problems while taking care of their loved ones who are paralyzed. The task of transferring patients from bed to wheelchair and wheelchair to bed is a major task done by caregivers at a daily basis for quadriplegics (whole body paralysis) at home. The redesigning of a wheelchair with an integrated sliding scoop stretcher which folds and becomes a seating as well for the wheelchair. The design is done by considering the physical strain of the caregivers at homes.

OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION:
The first step is, place the wheelchair at the side of the bed for lateral transfer and lock(simple push button-not much physical strain) the 2 rear wheels, so that the wheelchair doesn't move while patient transfer. Then, place the two parts of the scoop stretcher from either sides of the patient just by a small tilt(no need to lift the patient), and lock the parts. Before transferring put down the back handle and armrests and adjust the platform level according to the bed height by the foot assisted scissor lift. Then, pull out the slider from the wheelchair platform, and slide it inside the groove of the stretcher seat to snap lock it. Lastly, put belts around the patient and slide the stretcher onto the platform of the wheelchair to fold and transport it.

PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION:
The project started as a Final Year Thesis in January 2017 and ended in May 2017 in Department of Industrial Design, School of Planning andArchitecture, New Delhi. Exhibited at Indian Habitat Center, New Delhi, India on 25th-28th May 2017.

PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY:
The wheelchair is made of aluminium framework for the stability of the product. The body is made from polypropylene material(injection molded) to keep the wheelchair light weight. The scoop stretcher is made from aluminium pipes and polypropylene seating with a padding of hard leather with foam. The rail on which the stretcher slides is made from steel, with ball bearing groove. Rubber is used for better grips. A Foot operated scissor jack is used to lift the seating platform to adjustable heights of the beds at homes. The handle and armrests have telescopic mechanisms which levels up and down at the time of transfers done.

SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES:
The dimensions of the wheelchair are length : 1060, width : 700, height : 1160 (units in mm).

TAGS:
Caregivers, Wellness, Wheelchair, Paralysis, Transferability, Mobility, Care S, Caress, Care

RESEARCH ABSTRACT:
The Research Methodology followed is asking, observing and trying. 7-9 case studies were done and interviewed to get insights of the different issues faced by Indian caregivers at homes. Facts are 3 adults suffer stroke every minute in India, 3000-4000 people suffer from strokes everyday and 10 lakh people get paralyzed due to sudden strokes in India. 60% of caregivers face back problems in the course of time which eventually leads to 70% facing depression. The caring of the caregiver is equally as important as for the patient at homes. The task of transferring patients from bed to wheelchair and vice versa is a major task done by caregivers at a daily basis for quadriplegics (whole body paralysis). As this is a major task for a caregiver at home, there should be an easy transfer system.

CHALLENGE:
To find safe and easy alternative solutions for transferring patients at home and also working on the emotional aspect through aesthetics of the design for the patient and the caregiver.

ADDED DATE:
2017-07-04 21:03:07

TEAM MEMBERS (1) :
Rajiv Surya, Guided by Parag Anand, Aditi Singh, Ruchin Chaudhary and Prof. Vinod Gupta

IMAGE CREDITS:
Rajiv Surya, 2017.

CLIENT/STUDIO/BRAND DETAILS

NAME:
Department of Industrial Design, SPA New Delhi

PROFILE:
The Department of Industrial Design, now more than two decades old was started in 1992, offers a 2-year postgraduate program in Masters in Design. Open to Architects and Engineers, the primary aim of the programme is to foster a wholesome design experience through an interdisciplinary process of teaching and training. Theoretical, technological and managerial inputs, which are dealt with through various courses, seminars and workshops are all directed towards this central goal. The determination to take a professional design approach to the interpretation of culture and conversely to use design as a tool for cultural enrichment is the focal point of the programme. The programme maintains close links with the industry, both in order to keep in touch with the latest developments in industrial processes and to ensure that the course remains relevant and comprehensive.

AWARD DETAILS
	Care S Easy Transfer Wheelchair by Rajiv Surya is Runner-up for A' Design Award in Differently Abled and Seniors' Assistance Design Category, 2017 - 2018. · Press Members: Login or Register to request an exclusive interview with Rajiv Surya. · Click here to register inorder to view the profile and other works by Rajiv Surya.