Solutions ‘09
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University of British Columbia
Department of Occupational Science & Occupational
Therapy
Faculty of Medicine
Course RSOT 515
Faculty: Donna Drynan, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
“Shampoodle”
Tristan Thomas & Kristina Smith
The Shampoodle is a hair washing aid that may be useful to anyone with limited range of motion in his or her
shoulders e.g. Arthritis, bursitis, frozen shoulder.
“Snuggle-Up”
Meaghan Proctor & Nicole Nadeau
The Snuggle Up is a versatile fleece blanket which can be velcro-fastened to the back of an individual
wheelchair, so it will not fall down while participating in activities. This blanket also has two slots cut in it
for arm holes, and may come in a variety of sizes and colours. The population which could benefit from this
product would be anyone from individuals presenting with MS, to those individuals who have a decreased
range of motion in their upper extremities. The purpose is to increase independence with temperature
regulation. The innovative idea came from a family member who had to continually ask someone to pull-up
their blanket for them while out in the community. The Snuggle Up is great for indoor or outdoor use, and
can truly add comfort to any meaningful activity.
“Catch & Release”
Ross Taylor & Douglas Herasymuik
An adapted universal gripping assist for individuals with
Rheumatoid Arthritis.
This is designed to enhance joint protection by facilitating
the use of large muscle groups rather than compromised
joints of fingers and wrist.
“Hold ‘Er Steady”
Robin Frandsen & Nicole Van Lierop
The Hold ‘Er Steady is the one-handed stabilizing device. It is specially designed for individuals who only
have the use of one hand. It allows for increased independence when performing self-care and other
household tasks by keeping bottles or containers steady when attempting to open / use them. This product
allows the individual to use with one hand products in containers that may have normally required the use of
two hands.
Solutions Exposition ‘09
23 April 2009
1/16
Solutions ‘09
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“TampEase”
Kristen Krebs & Karina Koczapski
TampEase is an assistive device designed to ease the physical demands of feminine hygiene, specifically that
of tampon insertion, for menstruating women with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Featuring a modified bilateral
handle for both the thumbs and fingers, TampEase allows for the use of gross motor movements over the fine
motor, coordinated movements required for commercially-available tampons.
“Take Part in Art: Universal Craft Kit”
Chelsea Bennie & Maren Kristensen
This versatile multi-purpose one-handed craft kit will be created for those unable to engage in craft-related
occupations due to limited bilateral hand function and/or coordination. This may include clients with partial
or complete sensory/motor limb impairment, hemiplegia and amputation.
The supply kit will store, organize and facilitate arts and crafts for individuals of all ages and settings,
including family crafts, holiday fun, card-making, scrapbooking, use at school, making educational materials,
and/or creative therapy.
“Firm-Handled Sock Aid”
Mary Glasgow Brown & Sara Paltenaud
My partner and I have improved on the typical sock aid to make a "Firm-Handled Sock Aid".
This stream-lined deluxe edition of the common sock aid provides a firm grip and control of the sock aid
while putting on socks.
“Tornado Top”
Jessica Leung & Tracy Lermitte
The Tornado Top was designed to enable children with disabilities,
specifically with limited fine motor muscle control and/or tremors, to
independently access their juice boxes.
The Tornado Top is a small, lightweight, box-shaped object that
attaches on to the top of a juice box. Ridges on the outer edges prevent
the straw from slipping off the Tornado Top. The top surface of the
device has downward slopes to direct movement of straw to the juice
box hole.
“Fanny Fido”
Erin Slack & Rebecca McDonald
Fanny Fido is a hands-free leash system that features many adaptations to make walking the dog easier and
pain free. By attaching the leash around the waist, arms and hands are free from the potentially painful or
damaging effects of the resistance a traditional leash causes to the small joints of the hand.
Solutions Exposition ‘09
23 April 2009
2/16
Solutions ‘09
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“Pill Genie”
Kate Naus & Ashea Neil
The Pill Genie is a device to be preloaded by a
caregiver that makes taking pills easier. It can be used
either as a hands-free device, or with a large grip to
make pill handling easier.
“E-Z Vac”
Jennifer Bennett & Laura Laidlaw
The E-Z Vac is a two-handled adaptation for standard upright vacuum
cleaners. It allows for decreased energy expenditure, equal energy
distribution across upper extremities, and more stable body
positioning.
“Glass Holder”
Bailey Davies, Jeanette Lee & Alyson Young
Our project is designed for
those individuals with
reduced grip strength,
endurance, or range of
motion in their hand. It is a
device designed to hold a
stemmed drinking glass such
as a wine glass) without
being too visible to others.
Solutions Exposition ‘09
23 April 2009
3/16
Solutions ‘09
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“The Dressing Garter”
Saudia Jabar & Sarah Atkinson
The Dressing Garter is a device that helps clients with hemiplegia to dress their lower extremities. It acts as a
"bumper" to stabilize the affected leg and arm so that the unaffected arm is free to dress the affected side.
“2009 Dynamic Neck Brace Prototype for People with ALS”
Marsha Matheson & Kelsey McCloy - UBC MOT
Jenny Liu, Peidong Peter Wang, Qiang Ed Zhang, & Ronald Chi Yin Chan - UBC
Engineering
With the loss of muscle tone and voluntary control of head and neck movements’ people with Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) often choose to wear neck braces. Braces available on the market are designed to
immobilize the head and neck, and thus restrict lateral movement and axial rotation of the head. To date, there
is no dynamic neck brace on the market that allows multi-axial movement of the head while providing
functional head/neck support.
Over the past few years, several prototypes have been designed but were found to be uncomfortable or were
associated with high manufacturing costs. This dynamic neck brace project was initiated by, Dr. Jim
McEwen, President of the ALS Society of British Columbia. The 2009 Dynamic Neck Brace prototype was
designed to meet the functional needs of people with ALS throughout the progression of the disease,
maximize comfort, improve ease of use, and lower manufacturing costs.
“Just Bead It”
Natalie Wuitchik & Shannon Rolph
‘Just Bead It’ which is a beading system for use in
pediatric populations who have difficulty with pincer
grasp.
“Bandit Aider”
Kathryn McKall & Shereen Ens
The Band-Aider: a bandage applicator created for individuals with fine motor limitations. Conventional
bandage application involves small packages and hard to manage peel off papers. The device will allow
people to apply a bandage without having to rely on fine motor skills.
“Extenda-Brush”
Tiffany Jones & Maeve Frost
Extenda-Brush is a makeup application system designed for people experiencing limited range of motion in
the shoulder joint.
Solutions Exposition ‘09
23 April 2009
4/16
Solutions ‘09
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“Zipper Gripper”
Heather McDonald & Tracy Dietrich
The Zipper Gripper is designed for people with hemiplegia or tremor. It stabilizes the pin end of your zipper,
allowing you to easily attach the slider to the pin and zip up your coat with one hand.
“Pool Pal”
Kelsey Green & Marietta Tang
While many pool players use a guider cue or their non-dominant hand to create a stable base for the billiard
cue when taking a shot, the Pool Pal enables users to play with a single hand. Its two wheels attached to an
aluminum alloy base allow the device to roll smoothly along the pool table and to be angled for precise
shooting.
It can be used by anyone who requires additional assistance with steadying a cue, such as individuals who
only have the use of one arm (hemiplegia) due to stroke or brain injury, limited range of motion, or arthritis.
Overall, this compact, portable device has the benefits of increasing pool playing efficiency, reducing
bending, being used from a sitting or standing position, and most importantly, enabling participation in an
enjoyable leisure activity.
“Adaptive Cell Phone Cradle”
Christy Leung & Roberta Pelletier
We have developed a cell phone holder for people with poor fine motor control in their hands. It attaches to
the back of the control panel of a power chair and can be easily flipped up above the control panel and locked
into place for use. When the client is finished using the phone it is pulled towards them to unlock and folds
neatly back behind the panel. It is adjustable and is able to fit most cell phones.
Solutions Exposition ‘09
23 April 2009
5/16
Solutions ‘09
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“Wii-Zy”
Laine Dawes & Matt Derouin
The Wii-Zy is an adapted controller for the
Nintentdo Wii video game console. Originally
designed for a client with a C6 spinal cord
injury, the Wii-Zy allows individuals with
limited or absent voluntary finger flexion enjoy
playing their favourite games.
The Wii-Zy features a lever which allows the
user to depress the A button, as well as
maintained sustained pressure when the button
needs to be held down. The velcro on the lever
allows for a strong hold so that the A button
doesn’t pop up during play, but is also easy
enough for the user to undo. Other features
include elevated slip resistant material on the
directional pad, B & +/- buttons, as well as a
neoprene cuff to minimize pressure during
sustained playing.
“EZ-Lite ‘Señor Flamé’”
Chris Stellar & Wayne Felder
This product is designed to be an adapted lighter for persons experiencing hand weakness, painful joints,
sensation loss, or reduced range of motion. The E-Z Lite ‘Señor Flamé’ sits on any flat surface and lights with
the simple press of a button.
“Door Pulley”
Brittany Waters & Jacqueline Van den Dolder
Door Pulley attaches to door knobs and aids people in wheelchairs to close doors behind them without having
to reach behind them to close the door or hold the door knob while trying to wheel through the door frame.
Solutions Exposition ‘09
23 April 2009
6/16
Solutions ‘09
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University of British Columbia
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty: Professor Machiel Van der Loos
“Motorized ALS Head Brace”
Anmy Ho, Jay Liu, Eric Wen, Varun Rana, Sasan Nawabi, & Brad Neels,
Jayson Rupert (Emily Carr University)
The Motorized ALS Neck Brace System is a collaborative design project by a team of nine students from the
University of British Columbia (UBC) and Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU). The system
supports the head, while allowing lateral rotation (panning) and flexion/extension (nodding) of the neck with
the assistance of a motorized mechanism. The neck brace can be attached to any electrical wheelchair and
share its on-board battery, as well as to other seats such as recliners with a 12V DC power source.
Panning and nodding motions are controlled by a joystick. The neck brace can travel at a fixed speed or
variable speed, depending on the user’s preference. The user can also adjust the top speed of both speed
profiles. The panning feature offers users 80° of rotation from left to right, while the nodding feature offers
+/-20° of motion. Furthermore, users have access to single-push button functions such as “Nod Yes”, “Shake
No” and “Return to Neutral” for ease of use.
The low profile design of the head brace minimizes obstruction of the user’s face, allowing for greater
comfort and ease of intimate connections with others. The adjustable strap accommodates for different head
sizes, while the washable cover slips over two layers of padding for optimum comfort. A flexible steel core
also permits further adjustability around the head. When not attached to a wheel chair, the Motorized ALS
Neck Brace System can be affixed to a recliner using the adjustable straps on the back brace. Steel supports
on the back brace which serve as mounts for the neck mechanism can also be shaped to a desired spine
contour. A washable soft padding secured to the plastic backing with Velcro provides additional comfort.
The panning motion of the neck brace uses a belt and pulley system driven by a brushed DC gear motor.
Linkage mechanisms connected to titanium gear servos actuate the nodding motion. The two motion paths are
independent of each other, thus the user will be able to move to any combinational position allowed by the
two degrees of freedom. The design of the mechanical system allows the head to rotate about the user’s
natural centers of rotation.
The final prototype offers many features for maximum user adjustability and comfort. There are various
locations of adjustability throughout the neck brace system in order to accommodate for different body sizes
and seating preferences. The Motorized ALS Neck Brace System by UBC and ECU was designed to provide
ALS users with panning and nodding assistance, with ease of control, adjustability, comfort, and minimum
visual obtrusiveness in mind.
Solutions Exposition ‘09
23 April 2009
7/16
Solutions ‘09
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“2009 Dynamic Neck Brace Prototype for People with ALS”
Jenny Liu, Peidong Peter Wang, Qiang Ed Zhang, & Ronald Chi Yin Chan
Marsha Matheson & Kelsey McCloy - UBC MOT
With the loss of muscle tone and voluntary control of head and neck movements’ people with Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) often choose to wear neck braces. Braces available on the market are designed to
immobilize the head and neck, and thus restrict lateral movement and axial rotation of the head. To date, there
is no dynamic neck brace on the market that allows multi-axial movement of the head while providing
functional head/neck support.
Over the past few years, several prototypes have been designed but were found to be uncomfortable or were
associated with high manufacturing costs. This dynamic neck brace project was initiated by Dr. Jim
McEwen, President of the ALS Society of BC. The 2009 Dynamic Neck Brace prototype was designed to
meet the functional needs of people with ALS throughout the progression of the disease, maximize comfort,
improve ease of use and lower manufacturing costs.
“Upper-Limb Exercise Device”
Bibi Hezareh, Keli Gregory, Hanxiao Liu, Yan Xin, & Mark Silvanovich
A home-based passive exercise device to enhance flexibility of upper limb joints in people with reduced arm
function.
Look for two other University of British Columbia projects which, due to
semester time-lines, were unable to produce write-ups in time for the
publication of this programme.
Solutions Exposition ‘09
23 April 2009
8/16
Solutions ‘09
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Emily Carr University of Art +Design
Industrial Design Programme
Faculty: Louise St. Pierre, Professor
“Plica”
Dean Bennett + Angela Henderson
Plica is a collapsible alternative to the standard
axillary crutch. This unique design combines
the benefits of both underarm and forearm
crutches, facilitating increased mobility,
additional wrist support and hands-free
convenience. The central pivot and telescoping
leg enable the user to collapse the crutch to a
manageable size of twenty-seven inches.
“Volti-Line”
Yiftah Bouzaglo
A series of connectors to allow people with limited
to no hand strength to plug and unplug electrical
appliances.
Solutions Exposition ‘09
23 April 2009
9/16
Solutions ‘09
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“Luvo”
Annabelle Choi
Ever wonder what it would be like to see your destination within a few feet in front of you, just an arms
length away, but had no way of physically getting there because of one tiny curb? That is the reality for most
independent wheelchair-bound users. Being fully capable of performing everyday demands from getting
dressed to walking the dog, one would hope that the freedom to travel would be the least of one’s worries
when he or she is out and about in their power-chair. With the help of LUVO, it can be.
This self-deploying wheelchair ramp is a portable assistive device that allows a wheelchair-bound user to
explore and travel freely and independently, without being dependent on curb cuts.
Designed to hold up to 500 lbs, LUVO can be used to maneuver over four to six inch rises, and comes with a
sleek traveling case that is fastened to the user’s power chair even while the ramp is in use.
The objective of LUVO was to help satisfy the independent wheelchair-bound user in his or her daily travels,
explorations, and voyages.
“The Sea Wolf”
Alexander Kozma
The development of a seating system for a sit-on specially designed kayak to provide a universal pattern for
paraplegic individuals. The first phase is the development of a measuring system, followed by the design of a
general purpose sit-on kayak water-craft.
Solutions Exposition ‘09
23 April 2009
10/16
Solutions ‘09
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“Heron”
Shumpei Kato
Heron is a set of cutlery for Arthritis sufferers. The
rise in the handle provides position and bracing
strength without compromising the beauty of the
dining experience.
Eating is far more than a survival necessity, it has
become interwoven with entertainment and
traditions. Cutlery is an integral part of the dining
experience, and can help create a unified
environment for your meal. Current cutlery designs
for Arthritis only focus on functionality and
discourage use in fine dining situations, such as at
a restaurant. I wanted to design an elegant, simple,
and functional set of cutlery designed for Arthritic
clients.
“ZU•AH”
Benjamin McLaughlin
Zu•ah is an assistive
communication
device for people with
verbal disabilities
which transmits prerecorded voice
messages based on
natural hand gestures.
This device empowers the user with the ability to initiate conversations
with strangers. The main intent of Zu•ah is to break the social stigma and
hesitation issues that often plague people with disabilities.
Solutions Exposition ‘09
23 April 2009
11/16
Solutions ‘09
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“The Fine Touch”
Ryszard Krukowski
An elegant wearable that supports grip and control for people with limited finger strength. The Fine Touch is
an assistive device that uses the macro movement of one’s arm or body to help maintain a gripping action or
pinch as seen above. It is ideal for stroke victims recovering from Hemiplegia or Hemiparesis and Arthritic
clients.
Creation of the Fine Touch was made possible through collaboration with a co-creator and family friend
recovering from a stroke 2 years ago, who has since been unable to resume his work as a jeweler.
The primary use of the Fine Touch is for ensuring grip
on an object such as a glass, or strengthening a pinch to
hold small objects, in situations requiring the use of
both hands.
Solutions Exposition ‘09
23 April 2009
12/16
Solutions ‘09
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“Dayla”
Caylee Raber + Dana Ramler
Dayla is a kitchen standing aid designed to assist people with limited stability.
Dayla creates a comfortable ‘home base’ in the kitchen to enhance the user’s current standing ability. The
standing aid consists of two bent wood components, a chest piece and a back piece. The two pieces work
together to stabilize the user whether he/she is leaning forward or backwards. The simple form allows for a
variety of comfortable standing positions. The back support is open on one side to allow the user to easily and
independently slide in and out of the piece. The soft curves of the piece invite the user into its space, and the
bent wood allows for easy clean up of kitchen messes.
Dayla was originally designed to support a
young boy with cerebellum atrophy. Dayla
is currently installed in his school’s kitchen
for daily use.
Solutions Exposition ‘09
23 April 2009
13/16
Solutions ‘09
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“Lio”
Jacky Ling
Lio Impact Support is designed for Wheelchair Transport Vehicles, such as the HandyDART and other
modified transport vehicles to reduce the risk of injury on wheelchair passengers in a motor vehicle collision.
This compact system provides a modular airbag deployment system and addresses a key failure in the
collapse of wheelchair’s front casters upon impact.
The proposed solution is ergonomically designed to accommodate a range of wheelchair and wheelchair
occupant heights and sizes. It is also designed to maximize accessibility and the range of movement within a
vehicle. Lio Impact Support is adaptable and can be modified according to the restraint system of the
wheelchair transport vehicle, for either the common Q'Straint's L-Track, Slide & Lock restraint system or
other manufacturers' configurations.
Lio Impact Support provides not only the strength and support a wheelchair passenger entails in an
emergency, but a peace of mind while traveling from one destination to another.
Solutions Exposition ‘09
23 April 2009
14/16
Solutions ‘09
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Solutions Exposition ‘09
23 April 2009
15/16
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23 April 2009
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