The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Designers: Eric Dawkins, Justin Braveboy-Wagner, and Aakash Patel

INTRODUCTION

Our client is a seventy nine year old man with peripheral neuromuscular disease.  This disease particularly affects the strength of his upper arms.  As a result, it is difficult for him to lift his arms for everyday tasks such as eating, using a computer, and lifting a book.

We have developed a device that will help him lift his arms, using minimal strength, which takes advantage of his relatively good leg strength.  His ankles are connected to wrists via pulley system, and kicking the legs out causes lifting of his arms (figures 1a and b).  It is implemented on both sides so that each ankle is connected to the corresponding wrist.  While it must be mounted to a chair, it can be easily transferred between his wheelchair and most conventional chairs.

SUMMARY OF IMPACT

This device will greatly increase the client’s abilities with any task that involves lifting of the arms.  The client stated that in order to pick up food, “before I had this device, I had to use both hands and bend over, but now I only need one hand.  I like being able to sit back and still lift my arm.  Also, I can reach more keyboard keys at the computer.”  The client’s daughter commented that “you are eating too fast” as she tries to get a picture while he is eating.  Previously, eating was a slow and difficult task for the client.

Figure 1a: When the client kicks out his right foot, the device lifts his right arm.

Figure 1b: When the client kicks out both feet, the device lifts both arms. This allows him to easily control the lifting of his arms for eating, reading, and other everyday tasks.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

The device is a pulley system that can strap to a wheelchair or conventional chair to hold it in place.  The system is made of black PVC pipes and it is left-right symmetrical so that it can be used with both arms and legs simultaneously.  Each side is in the shape of a “C”, with the upper end just above the client’s shoulders for the arm connection, and the lower end is just below the seat of the chair for the ankle connection.  A cross piece connects the left and right halves, while allowing for easy adjustment to change the distance between the two halves.  The “C” shaped pieces can also adjust to different heights relative to the chair.  This allows for easy adjustment for different chairs.

A pulley system connects the client’s leg motion to the lifting of his arms, and allows for easy movement.  Clear picture hanging wire passes through the sets of pulleys.  This provides enough strength to lift the client’s arms, yet is relatively discreet.  It connects to straps on each end which wrap around the client’s ankles and wrists.  These straps are adjustable and comfortable for the client.

The total cost of the device is about $100.