Find Out About Electric Wheelchair Advances
The world’s first known wheelchair was developed in China in the 6th century. Today, there are manual and power wheelchairs. Mass manufacturing of wheelchairs was first performed by two engineers who developed a collapsible chair. Harry Jennings and Herbert Everest, who suffered a serious neck injury in a mining accident, also developed the “x brace” support system still used in today’s chairs.
Today’s power wheelchairs have little in common with the product that Jennings and Everest first manufactured. In fact, the inventors would be amazed with the advances that have been implemented to increase the health benefits to wheelchair users. The evolution of power-assisted wheelchairs, which feature large rear wheels that are motorized by batteries, to power wheelchairs that offer seemingly unlimited features is truly astounding.
Power wheelchairs are categorized as lightweight or heavyweight. The heavyweight chairs are designed to accommodate patients and equipment that exceed 300 pounds. Many of today’s options can only be implemented on heavyweight chairs.
Heavyweight power wheelchairs use a four-pole motor and can transport weights above 300 pounds. These chairs have many features that doubtless would astound Everest and Jennings. Heavyweight chairs provide either rear wheel drive, front wheel drive, center wheel drive, or four-wheel drive. These options were developed within the past fifteen years and more current options include the use of computerized technology.
Passive Standing Technology
Due to the growth of the industry, there is great pressure to develop standards and impose basic registration criteria for global manufacturers. In the United States, legislation entitled the Consumer Protection for Wheeled Mobility was passed in 2003. All manufacturers are required to participate in continuing education and to achieve “Assistive Technology Supplier Certification.”
The most recent advance in power wheelchairs technology enables users to achieve a passive standing position. The advantages of this welcome development offer users substantial health benefits. Some of the benefits have proven to be:
* Reduced seating pressure * Decreased bone deterioration * Bladder normalcy * Improved circulation * Improved muscular conditions * Overall improved functional conditions
Demand for these passive standing power wheelchairs currently outweighs supply so interested persons should make arrangements to meet with manufacturers as soon as possible.
Technology has also been used by manufacturers to allow the users to adjust the seating tilt as well as the level of the chair. Computerized enhancements have eased the navigational capabilities of the power chairs and made for easier control of speed and direction. With computerized eye technology to direct the power wheelchairs, mobility is now available to just about all disabled persons.
Discover more about the power wheelchair at PowerWheelchair.org. Visit us to learn what you need to know about getting a power wheelchair today!
Incoming search terms:
- powered by SMF of information technology
- Powered by Article Dashboard fact family
- Powered by Article Dashboard electrical engineering
- Powered by Article Dashboard technology in the
- Powered by Article Dashboard case search
- Powered by Article Dashboard search engineering
- Powered by Article Dashboard technology
- Powered by Article Dashboard short science articles
- Powered by Article Dashboard computer science resources
- Powered by Article Dashboard what is computer information technology
- Powered by Article Dashboard health system
- Powered by Article Dashboard tech support
- Powered by Article Dashboard science and technology center
- Powered by Article Dashboard science technology
- Powered by Article Dashboard benefits of medical technology
Related posts:
- Advances Of The Power Wheelchair
- A Brief History Of Electric Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair Accessories – Here's 4 Must Have Accessories That Everyone Wheelchair Owner Needs Today
- Residential Wheelchair Lift for Improved Accessibility
- How Wheel Chair Quality Has Improved Over the Years
