Winner of Design of Medical Devices Conference Competition 2014 - The largest medical device conference in the world
Problem: Conventional walkers expect the person using it to constantly squeeze and release the brake in order to move. Unfortunately, most people using such walkers are the elderly who do not have the strength to constantly be doing this. Plus in the event that the user slips, he/she would undoubtedly fall as the walker does not have an automatic locking mechanism to prevent such an occurrence.
Objective: To eliminate the need for person using the walker to use a hand-triggered brake or any other type of manual braking mechanism
Major considerations:
1) Need for mobility
2) Need for effective fall prevention mechanism
Objective: To eliminate the need for person using the walker to use a hand-triggered brake or any other type of manual braking mechanism
Major considerations:
1) Need for mobility
2) Need for effective fall prevention mechanism
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Solution: A load-triggered walker that drew inspiration from the working of a ball-point pen was designed. It has a braking and locking mechanism which is engaged and disengaged based on the amount of vertical force being applied by the user.
The walker, when folded. The small form factor would enable it to fit easily in the trunk of a car or in some corner in the garage
The handle when not in use. It is adhered to the top bar using a velcro strip. The handle is an important addition to the walker as it allows the user to just drag it along when not in use, as opposed to carrying it which was found to be very cumbersome
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The final walker design, in all its glory
The way this works is that the user exerts a certain amount of force (his/her weight) and this engages the lock, keeping the walker in place. When he/she wants to move, they merely ease the load they are applying by the slightest bit (the amount varies by weight). This disengages the lock, allowing the user to move freely. In the event that the person slips, it was found that the person almost always applied most of their body weight on the walker. This would automatically lock it, retarding their fall.
The pin mechanism has 2 functions:
a) Allows user to pull it out and fold it up when necessary, and
b) Allows calibration of walker for users of varying weights
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An added plus is that a heavier person would be able to use the walker just as easily as a lighter person thanks to the arc design that was incorporated into the walker's handle which allowed for a range of users according to their weights.
The novel cam and ratchet mechanism's design, inspired by a ballpoint pen
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The innovative arc design that allows users of different weights to use the walker
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The video below shows the folding mechanism of the walker in action:
The picture below shows Dr. Carl Nelson, with the award-winning, iterated version of the walker design:
The presentation below is an illustrated summary of the project:
| presentation_kugan.pptx |
The document below is the project in its entirety:
| executive_summary.docx |
This is the report that my advisor, Dr. Carl Nelson wrote based on our designs:
| dmd-walker_jmb_edits.docx |
Below is the news report on our winning design:
Credits : Manu Vengeta Rao, Liran Kong, Dingwei Zhang, Dr. Carl Nelson, Dr. Bill Dick