Andrew RosenbergUniversity of Rhode IslandBME 281 First Presentation

How Many People Need a Wheelchair?An estimated 100 million people worldwide

Up to 6% of the population in developing countries

That number is much higher in war-torn nations20% of the population in Angola (12 million people)

Handicapped Accessible?AmericaTanzaniaAccessible Doorways

Paved Roads

Handicapped Accessible Buses, Taxis, & Cars

Accessible RampsNarrow Doorways

Bumpy & Muddy Roads

Long Distances to Destinations

No Handicapped Accessible Transportation

How Does the Conventional Push-rim Wheelchair Work?

How Does the Lever Propelled Wheelchair Work?The Leveraged Freedom Chair (LFC) by Global Research Innovation & Technology (GRIT)- Created by Amos Winter, PhD et al. (MITs Mobility Lab)

How is it Made?The Leveraged Freedom Chair is Made From Simple Bicycle PartsFrame (Aluminum)2- Chain & Chain ring2- Tire with Conventional Push rim2- Axles (Aluminum & Water Pipe)2- Levers (Aluminum)

This wheelchair is made with bicycle parts because:They are inexpensive and easy to findLocal bicycle mechanics with limited knowledge can fix any problem with the chair

AlternativesHand-Powered TricycleConventional ChairAll-Terrain Chair$1,525.74$1,640.56$2,519.00

ResultsLever Propelled Wheelchair Compared to the Conventional WheelchairSpeed:76% faster (on Tarmac)34% faster (on Pavement)

51% more TorqueEasier to use on hills and in mud

41% more EfficientDelays fatigueImproves posturePrevents upper limb joint pain

CostLeveraged Freedom Chair - $150MIT funded research and design with production through Continuum and Pinnacle Industries

Donations help send new chairs around the world

Today (2013)Pinnacle Industries in India produce 500 Leveraged Freedom Chairs a month

Over thousands of wheelchairs since the summer of 2011 have been produced and given to undeveloped countries

Other Companies such as NuDrive and Quantum Runner have been producing similar versions of the Leveraged Freedom Chair

Future OutlookGRIT will release a developed world Leveraged Freedom Chair version in 2014Official price not yet released For every 1st world chair purchased 3 undeveloped world chairs will be donated The GRIT team is constantly looking for inexpensive and readily available materials to bring down the cost of each chair.

ReferencesAhmad Rifai Sarraj, Ahmad R., and Raphael Massarelli. "Design History and Advantages of a New Lever-Propelled Wheelchair Prototype."Intechopen.com. 13 May 2013. 15 Oct. 2013 "Leveraged Freedom Chair (LFC) / India."D-Lab. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2013. Blake G, Bly RW. The elements of technical writing. Longman, 1993.Winter, A., et al. (2010). LEVERAGED FREEDOM CHAIR: A Wheelchair Designed for Developing Countries. InRehabilitation: Mobility, Exercise and Sports: 4th International State-of-the-Art Congress(Vol. 26, p. 54). IOS Press, Incorporated.Van der Woude, et al. (1993). Physiological evaluation of a newly designed lever mechanism for wheelchairs.Journal of medical engineering & technology,17(6), 232-240.