Possible Solutions Overview

      

Today in class, our group presented the sketches we came up with for possible designs for the PivoRest. There are three different versions, each with specifications that make them unique. The first includes an arm that has two parts which are connected by a joint so that both can pivot and give the user a relatively large range of motion. It has bumpers on the sides of the attachment so that the arm will not fall off, and near the wrist would be an elevation device to allow for the hand to be at a comfortable angle to reduce swelling and, ultimately, improve comfort. The next design involves a three part attachment that would allow a range of motion via pivoting, as well as a track system to shift the arm outward or inward based on the comfort level of the patient. The last design implemented the use of a "Lazy Susan" device to serve as the point of rotation. Using a pin, a person is able to spin the arm into the desired position, then lock it into place. Each of these designs has unique aspects that help them stand out, so now our next goal is to hone in on what works and what doesn't with each solution. From there, we can begin to gather the materials needed to build our first prototype. For now, we are creating the designs on Autodesk Inventor to get a better visual of their components and how they work. In the future, we plan on visiting the Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital to get another perspective on what people want in a new design of the arm of a wheelchair.