Development of a novel front wheel attachment for manual wheelchairs to improve outdoor mobility

Manual wheelchairs promote a level of independence and autonomy. However, due to the short wheelbase and small front casters, wheelchairs perform poorly when used on grass, sand, and uneven/rough surfaces like trails and damaged paved surfaces. At a minimum, these surfaces provide a rough ride, at worst they may cause tips, falls and injuries. Current front wheel attachment products exist that use a relatively large single front wheel to lift the casters off the ground, providing a longer wheelbase. Generally, these products work very well to improve outdoor wheeling. However, these solutions have some drawbacks, including: a cumbersome attachment process and an increased wheelchair footprint. The novel SWIVL^™ provides similar outdoor wheeling experiences, but addresses these drawbacks with a retractable stowage capability that easily transitions a manual wheelchair between outdoor and indoor wheeling configurations.

MethodsA three-phase development process was followed within a commercialisation incubator program which provided the opportunity for intensive engagement with various stakeholders.ResultsThe first two phases focused on the creation of proof-of-concept prototypes. Phase three was performed under standardised design controls. This iterative process was enhanced by weekly meetings with the incubator staff and stakeholders, and included a formal focus group.ConclusionsGuidance and data collected throughout this process was thoughtful, insightful and facilitated the design of the SWIVL^™ device towards a market ready product.