Kimberly Pocwierz, Hassan Hejji, Nicholas Dana, Dr. Andrea Kwaczala
13 million children live with mobility limitations that directly affect their ability to maintain posture. Children with a lack of trunk control can struggle to sit up and complete motor tasks. This can impede their ability to reach and grasp, along with other tasks strongly connected with cognitive development in early life. In addition, adaptive equipment is expensive and with young children quickly becomes too small as the child outgrows tools and devices. There is a need for a universal seating system that can provide proper trunk support to promote mobility, help to improve function during activities of daily living and help children engage in society. We have designed an adaptive seating system using universal design that can make a big impact. The design expands to accommodate children 10 months old in the 5thpercentile (small configuration), up through 4 year olds in the 95th percentile (large configuration). The chair provides head support, lateral supports along the trunk, and pelvic control with a pelvic strapping mechanism. The lateral supports have 3-axis adjustability to provide targeted therapy at the appropriate segmental level. Engineering analysis included finite element analysis for padding comfort and tipping analysis for safety in the chair. Individual components are removable based on how much support is required for the individual. This design could meet the unique needs of all children with varying degrees of limited trunk control up until 4 years of life in a single chair. The adaptive seat is safe, comfortable, and can provide targeted control to support children with limited postural control and improve mobility and engagement in society.
Hassan Hejji, Kimberly Pocwierz, Nicholas Dana, Dr. Andrea Kwaczala