Walker RedesignSam Barclay

Tanya HolubiakJordan Landreth

BackgroundStandard basic walker useful

for those who are injured or disabled to get around

More mobile and convenient than crutches or wheelchairs

Motivation & PurposesWalkers are not designed to go

up and down stairsThe current method is to use

the walker on its side to go up and down stairs with a handrail

Design ProblemsThere isn’t a ramp in every

facilityNot every set of stairs has a

handrailVery unstable to use a walker

on its sideAll sets of stairs are not the

same size

Goals

To design a walker that is stable and safe to use when going up and down stairs

The walker must also be able to be used on level surface as well

Social Impact

Having limited mobility can be a burden, especially for adolescents and youthsDependent on someone to aid going up and down stairs

Confidence plummets Lack of independenceLead to defeatist attitudeCurtail physical therapy

Having a walker that increases mobility up and down stairs will increase a sense of independence, which will lead to an increase in confidence

Advisors & MentorsTeresa E. Plummer, OTR/L,ATP

plummert@mail.belmont.edu Occupational Therapist, Clinical Staffing Resource Center at Vanderbilt

Children’s HospitalClinical Instructor, Belmont Occupational Therapy School

Amber Yampolsky, PT, MPTamber.yampolsky@vanderbilt.edu Assistant Manager Rehab Services, Physical Therapy Vanderbilt

Children’s HospitalDoug Burton

dburton@medicalmobility.com Vender, Medical mobility

•Met with advisors: Teresa Plumber, Amber Yolanpolovsky, and Doug Burton to discuss project goals, timelines, complications and feasible design solutions•Researched the standard walker, its design specifications, and brainstormed possible solutions for adapting the conventional walker to be used with stairs

First Idea - Assessed the Rollator model of the walker, specifically its usefulness for transversing stairs with the incorporation of the hand brake.

Supporting Work and Documents:

•Obtained standard walker from Ed Medical •Weekly Progress Reports•NCIIA Proposal •First design schematic •Built Website•IWB (Innovation Situation Questionnaire & Problem Formulation and Brainstorming)

Current WorkPrimary adaption to rollator design and determine feasibility Research current walker technology and manufacturers

(attempting to gain warehouse access for spare parts: springs, front column inserts, ect.

Two column system where the adjustable height column will be held in position related to the fixed column that runs parallel

Current Work Continued Assessing available materials & and relative costsAssess the marketability of the product & its clinical requirementsWeight requirement of 300 lbs (160 lbs for pediatric walker)Design appropriate stabilizing mechanisms for walker legs Hand Wire brake (similar to bike) for locking mechanismPreliminary sketches and diagrams

Project Description

Project DescriptionAspects and Parts

Hand BrakesHooks & Holes SystemSpring SystemHeight adjustable front legsRubber bottoms for back legs

Future WorkAdjust weight capacity of our primary model

Adult walker must bear 300 lbsPediatric walker must bear 160 lbs

Find parts necessary for our design at the Medical Mobility and/or ED Medical warehouses

Meeting with our advisors and mentors