Looking for feedback on designing a wheelchair to bed transfer system
Hi, I am a student studying mechanical engineering. I am starting work on my senior capstone project which is to design a system to help people move between their wheelchairs and bed.
Right now, my team and I are simply trying to get information about what products already exist, what is the most favored type of system, and what people would like to see added or changed. We are looking to design something that can be operated by the person in the wheelchair themselves, or operated by a separate person helping with the transfer.
From what we have been able to find so far, it would seem that a form of transfer board is the favorite system. If there is any sort of feedback that you could give us it will be greatly appreciated. Hopefully we will be able to design something that works well and addresses the issues that exist in this type of movement today.
If anybody can suggest other subreddits to post in that would also be great.
Posted Sep 6, 2014, 1:29 AM UTC
You have to be very careful. This woild be considered a medical device and has strict rules and regulations. Even designing a simple medical device normally takes tons of money and a lawyer. If anyone ever gets hurt you are liable and its much worse because of its intended use. Id get some legal advice or pick a different project unless you have a couple hundred grand to pay out for insurance, liabilities, paperwork ect. I know someone who did jail time and had to pay over a million for a product that just massaged and never hurt anyone.