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Tuesday, September 6, 2011 Total Pageviews
The World's Lightest Wheelchairs available at 1,254
FrontlineMobility.com
The World's Lightest Wheelchairs from the Online Wheelchair Store
Free Electric
Wheelchairs have rapidly evolved in recent years. Just a decade ago, the Wheelchairs
world's lightest wheelchairs were in the range of 10kg (approximately 22lbs). 9/10 People Pay Little
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Now, it is possible to find ultra-lightweight wheelchairs in the range of 5 kg Electric Wheelchair
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What is the advantage of an ultra lightweight wheelchair? We've Helped
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* Transfers and Travel: An ultra-lightweight wheelchair simplifies traveling. Disabilities Regain
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Getting into a vehicle is much easier if your wheelchair weighs 5kg instead of theSCO O TERstore.com
10kg. Many wheelchair users get into a car alone, reach out and pick up the No Out-of-Pocket
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Which is the best material for an ultra-lightweight wheelchair is an impossible www.W heelchairSelect.com
question to answer. Ultra-lightweight wheelchairs are typically made of four
types of materials: aluminium, titanium, carbon fiber and other composite
materials. Comparing one type of material to the other is made nearly
impossible since each type of material has advantages and disadvantages Followers
and technology is constantly advancing. For example just ten years ago
carbon fiber was known for yellowing and breaking. But with improved
technology, the best carbon fibers of today have come a long way from the
carbon fiber wheelchairs of a decade ago. Many composite materials are a
combination of carbon fiber and plastics or resins and these too have come a
long way in recent years.
As an example, the aerospace industry is on the cutting edge for creating
strong and lightweight materials, for a simple reason. The lighter the aircraft,
the better it will perform and the more fuel efficient it will be. Boeing states that
its new 787 Dreamliner "is the company's most fuel-efficient airliner and the
world's first major airliner to use composite materials for most of its
construction" According to the Boeing website the new design has "an
airframe comprising nearly half carbon fiber reinforced plastic and other
composites. This approach offers weight savings on average of 20 percent
compared to more conventional aluminum designs". While most wheelchair
manufacturers will make a wheelchair from either aluminum, titanium or
Blog Archive
composites, Boeing takes advantage of all of these materials and uses them ▼ 2011 (211)
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2. appropriately to achieve the lightest and safest airplane possible. ▼ September (1)
Engineering is more important than material The World's Lightest
Further, not all aluminum wheelchairs or titanium wheelchairs are equal. There Wheelchairs available
at Fron...
are so many factors which go into making the frame that an aluminum
wheelchair made by one company may easily be lighter than a titanium ► August (67)
wheelchair from another company and vice versa. Tubing diameter and wall ► July (118)
thickness effect stiffness, strength and weight. One manufacturer could use a ► June (25)
thin walled tubing and achieve a lightweight frame which would be very
satisfactory for some users, but which could crack under heavier strain from
other users. The lightest wheelchairs will employ various thickness and
About Me
diameter tubing in different parts of the frame in order to achieve the best
balance of weight, strength and stiffness necessary for the best ride. mosbon
For example, titanium has a higher strength to weigh ratio than aluminum. But View my complete
in 2008 researchers from the Veterans Administration and University of profile
Pittsburgh published a study of tests on four popular brands of titanium
wheelchairs. The scientists found that the titanium wheelchairs that they tested
failed quicker than aluminum wheelchairs that they had previously tested.
These wheelchairs were lightweight, but apparently some of the lightness may
have been achieved at the sacrifice of frame strength.
Therefore, it is mistake to assume that a wheelchair made of a particular
material is necessarily going to be lighter, stronger or better than a wheelchair
made of a different type of material. The lightest weight and strongest
wheelchair of the future will probably be one which uses a combination of
different types of materials as in the Boeing Dreamliner.
Some issues to consider about all types of materials
Titanium: Titanium can be difficult to paint. Special painting techniques may be
employed, but they are often costly. As a result, many titanium wheelchairs are
a dull grey color. Some like it and others do not.
Carbon-Fiber: While improving, there are still complaints about carbon fiber
frames breaking. Whether or not the technology is mature enough will most
likely depend on the type of carbon fiber processes that your manufacturer is
using. Also carbon fiber may yellow when exposed to UV light, unless coated
with paint or some other material.
Aluminum: Welded aluminum frames are generally going to be lighter than
aluminum frames held together with brackets and screws. But many people do
not like the looks of welding on wheelchairs and welding renders the
wheelchair non-adjustable. If you want to sell your wheelchair, you may have a
problem finding a buyer who is exactly the same size as you.
How Does The Wheelchair Fit?
One of the key issues in selecting an ultralight wheelchair is how the
manufacturer makes it fit your body. There are typically three approaches:
* Adjustability Approach: A manufacturer may make a wheelchair with a few
frame lengths and widths then use adjustability to make it fit your particular
dimensions and requirements. They will adjust the front seat height, rear seat
height, front caster angle, back rest angle, backrest height, foot rest length to
fit your requirements. The problem is that adjustability requires bolts, brackets
and screws and these add weight to the wheelchair. Most ultra, ultra-
lightweight wheelchairs will have limited adjustability.
* Fixed Frame Dimensions Approach: Some manufacturers may save weight
by having little or no adjustability and have simply have a "few sizes fits all"
approach. In order to minimize the number of frame sizes that they must keep
in stock, they may try to minimize some dimensions. For example, some
wheelchairs may be offered in only 1 frame lengths and recommend that
everyone, from very short to very tall fit in a wheelchair frame of the same
length.
* Custom Approach: Customization means that the wheelchair is built from the
beginning to the exact dimensions of the buyer. This has the advantage that a
fully customized wheelchair will fit the owner's body perfectly. With no
adjustability required, a customized wheelchair has fewer bolts, brackets and
screws and is therefore lighter. The disadvantage of a customized wheelchair
is that if the measurements are wrong, the wheelchair must be made again. If
you are not comfortable the manufacturer may not be willing to build you a new
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3. wheelchair. The other disadvantage is that if you ever want to sell the
wheelchair it can be very difficult to find a buyer who has the exact dimensions
and requirements that you have.
Wheelchair Weight, Comparing Apples to Oranges
Which manufacturer makes the world's lightest wheelchair?
This is probably not as easy to answer as you might think. Many factors will
play a role in a wheelchair's weight and finding the data necessary to compare
weights is often an impossible task.
Many manufacturers will give the weights of their wheelchair frames without
wheels, locks, side guards, even upholstery. Other manufacturers will include
these or other parts. The same frame might come with several sizes or
configurations. If wheels are included, the type of wheels can play a significant
role. Rear wheels often add 2kg or more to the weight of the wheelchair.
Rarely does a manufacturer give the specifications of the conditions under
which it was weighed. Rarely do they tell you the frame size or wheel type or
used during the weighing. Therefore, making a comparison of weights of one
wheelchair to the next will be very difficult to do and the weights given below
should be used as an indication. Do not use these weights to compare one
wheelchair to the next, but rather to get an idea of how light a wheelchair can
be.
The World's Lightest Wheelchairs
If you are looking for the world's lightest wheelchair, here are a few to consider.
Pantera X is a carbon fiber wheelchair. Pantera claims that the frame
weighs 2.1 KG.
Proval is an aluminum frame wheelchair. The lightest weight frame weighs
in at 3.4kg. Proval achieves this low weight due to its unique oval shaped
aluminum tubing.
Quickie Helium (Europe) / Q7 (N. America) is made from 'formed
aluminium technology'. Its frame weighs 4.2kg.
Tilite ZR is a titanium frame wheelchair and weighs 4.2 kg. If you know of a
wheelchair with a frame which weighs under 4KG (9lbs) .
http://www.frontlinemobility.com The best online store to buy a
wheelchair.
Posted by mosbon at 7:28 AM 0 comments
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Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Bariatric Wheelchairs – What You Should Know
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4. Bariatric Wheelchairs – What You Should
Know
Bariatric is a term that represents the population of people who are exceedingly obese and
who need medical intervention due to their excessive weight. They are generally classified as
patients over and above 250 pounds. In the health care setting, bariatric clients are usually
addressed separately from the general populace due to their distinct need for a different set
of interventions and specialized medical management.
What are Bariatric Wheelchairs?
Bariatiric wheelchairs are designed for bariatric patients who need assistance in moving
around. These pieces of equipment provide clients with the ability to take up an independent
way of life despite their restrictive condition.
Obese patients basically have special needs that are different from normal-sized people.
They also require specialized design considerations when it comes to wheelchairs. Aside
from the excessive weight, these mobility aids need to have appropriate capacity for depth,
width and length prerequisites.
Wheelchair manufacturers have taken these variables into account. There are in fact
numerous types of bariatric wheelchairs in the market today. Each of the styles are modified
to meet the unique needs of this population group. Modern bariatric wheelchairs also carry a
variety of features, which include durable frames built with advanced welding technology,
hardwearing wheels with pneumatic tires, padded upholstery for added comfort, and other
extra features.
Manual Bariatric Wheelchairs
Like the regular variety, bariatric wheelchairs also come in manual versions. These
wheelchairs are ideal for people who still have the capacity to push the wheels and set the
chair in motion with minimal or no assistance.
Manually propelled bariatric wheelchairs also provide a certain degree of exercise to their
users. However, other medical conditions – aside from obesity – may get worse because of
the added strain created by pushing the wheels. For people with other infirmities, electric
bariatric wheelchairs may be more appropriate.
Electric Bariatric Wheelchairs
These wheelchairs are ideal for patients who have cardiovascular disorders or those who lack
the upper body strength required to propel a manual bariatric wheelchair. The ability to move
around easily by means of a joystick mechanism provides wheelchair-bound obese clients
with the chance to perform a number of routine activities.
Posted by mosbon at 10:58 AM 0 comments
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Labels: Online Bariatric Wheelchairs
Wheelchair Selection: How to choose a new wheelchair
Wheelchair Selection: How to choose a new wheelchair
What's the big deal? Wheelchairs look pretty much alike. Right?
Wrong! It's just not that simple. A wheelchair is much more than "looks." There are as many
differences in wheelchairs just as there are differences in cars or microwave ovens or... any
consumer product.
With wheelchairs it can be even more important. Wheelchairs have strong differences in how
they feel, how they fit, how they respond and what they enable us to do.
There are lots of differences in the people who use wheelchairs too. People who use
wheelchairs vary in:
Age: children, young adults and older adults,
Gender: boys and girls, men and women
Body type: every body type from muscular to just average to very thin or very
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5. Body type: every body type from muscular to just average to very thin or very
overweight.
Diagnosis or reason for using a wheelchair: some people are too weak or have too
little endurance and can actually still still get up and walk in some situations.
Others have paralyzed legs and torsos, missing limbs or poor balance and use a
wheelchair all the time.
Activities they want to do in their wheelchair: some people just what to sit, others
want all of life's activities without exceptions.
Places they will use their wheelchair: some people only use a wheelchair at home
which is their primary environment. Other people go travel all around the
community. Still others push their wheelchairs to the max using them in rugged
environments like dodging potholes on city streets, working on a farm or camping
in the woods.
Preference or just "what they like": the same thing that makes some people like a
Ford and others a Chevy.
Because people, their abilities and their needs are so different there are many possible
combinations between people and mobility equipment. That's part of the challenge... figuring
out which kind of wheelchair or seating system is best for each person. For many
consumers, there is even another person who figures into these decisions. If a spouse or
child or family member will be assisting the person using the wheelchair their needs may
need to be considered in the wheelchair selection decision too.
People who buy or get a wheelchair for the first time are usually overwhelmed by their
choices. In fact, they are overwhelmed just by the idea of having to use a wheelchair. Some
of their concerns are addressed on the New User page. Usually, a wheelchair is not what
people have in mind as a way for moving around in life.
The information you will find on the next few pages is about the process of getting a
wheelchair. This page will link to other pages and resources on the Internet. Our goal is to
give you as much information about the process of getting a wheelchair as possible so you
can be an informed consumer. We think that informed consumers make better choices
and better decisions. We also think that when consumers know more that it is easier for
them to see themselves as "clients who are purchasing products and services."
Clients are people who hire professionals and then ask them to help solve or correct
complicated problems. This way of thinking can be a very helpful model to keep in mind
when you are preparing to get a new wheelchair. Wheelchair selection is a complicated
process and, especially if you are new at it, you will want expert help. It will be a learning
process for you but you will learn something every time you get a new wheelchair. It is also
important to realize that regardless of expertise, you have the biggest stake in the end
result. You will be using the wheelchair on a daily basis for the next 5 years or so. Because
you have strongest interest in a good outcome we would like to help you know what to
expect when you get advice from the seating and mobility professionals who will work with
you.
The professionals in the wheelchair business are:
people who evaluate you, your body and your daily living needs,
people who recommend equipment that matches with your needs,
people who complete the selling, funding and reimbursement transactions (like
your insurance company),
people who make sure that the delivered equipment is fitted exactly to you, and
people who design, test and manufacture the wheelchairs that people want and
need in their everyday lives.
So if you want to know more about this process keep on reading....
Getting a Wheelchair for the first time!
If you are like most people, you will be depending on the most knowledgeable person you
know when you go to get that first wheelchair. This might be your sister who is a nurse, or an
occupational or physical therapist, or a friend or spouse, or a salesperson at a durable
medical equipment store. New users of wheelchairs usually get their first wheelchair in one of
these ways. They get a:
A loaner or hand-me-down chair from someone they know,
A rental wheelchair from company that contracts with Medicare or their insurance
company,
A prescription from their doctor which they take to a sales person at a medical
supply store, or, if they are fortunate, they go to
A wheelchair clinic with experienced wheelchair people like OTs, PTs and
Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers.
The outcome or the end-result in getting a first wheelchair can have a lot of variation:
Sometimes people have a good experience.
Sometimes they don't.
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6. Sometimes first-timers don't even know what to expect from the experience. (It's
hard to have expectations when everything is so new!)
Sometimes professionals know a lot and are really experts.
Sometimes professionals know a lot, are really experts and they include YOU in
the process.
When you are included in the process, then there is a larger chance that the outcome will be
a good one. You are included in the process when you are seen as a "client" (someone who
is purchasing a service) and the professionals ask you questions about:
your goals,
your needs both today and in the short term future,
your lifestyle,
your living environments,
how you plan to use your wheelchair, and
how you plan to travel as a driver or a passenger in motor vehicles.
When you as a client experience this kind of evaluation you have had the best situation of
all.
So... If this is the kind of experience you had the first time you got a wheelchair, count
yourself lucky! (Don't loose their phone number!) When it is time to replace your equipment
you will have an excellent resource at your disposal. Spending money for this kind of service
might seem like an expense to avoid the next time you get a wheelchair but it can actually
be money very well spent. Mobility products and services are more expensive and more
complicated today. Insurance companies allow replacement chairs less often so you can be
stuck with a poor purchase for a long time. Many insurance companies are starting to
recognize the value of a good evaluation and are starting to require it a a condition for
purchase. A good evaluation can be a huge saving in time and aggravation. You can often
prevent a secondary disability like a shoulder problem, a pelvic position problems or a
pressure sore when you have a knowledgeable professional working for you.
The Wheelchair Evaluation Process
Since there is so much to learn about getting a wheelchair for the first time, this is a good
place to talk more in depth about that process. There is a whole vocabulary of new words
that you will start to hear. And it might be helpful to understand a head of time about some
parts of the "service delivery" process. "Service delivery" is health care jargon that refers to
the way an organization sets up the processes and procedures they will use to get their
services delivered to you. Any time you get involved with an organization it is helpful to know
a little something about how service delivery works and how to move around in that system.
We have created a page, Wheelchair and Seating Evaluations, that discusses the evaluation
process and in particular:
The Wheelchair Prescription
The Wheelchair Evaluation Process
The Evaluation Team
The Consumer as the Focus
The Evaluation Summary
Letter of Medical Necessity or Justification
But, first do this!
Before you take your wheelchair prescription to an evaluation team it will be important for you
to think about o the following important questions. As you come up with answers it may also
be important to discuss with them with your family. Here they are:
1. Where will I use my wheelchair most?
2. What will I use my wheelchair occasionally?
3. What kinds of activities that I do (or did) everyday are most important to me to get
back to doing?
4. How will I get my wheelchair (and myself) from place to place?
5. How much of the day will I be spending in this wheelchair?
6. How will I transfer from the wheelchair to other surfaces?
7. If I will need help with my wheelchair who will that come from and what features about
my wheelchair are important to them?
8. How will I get my wheelchair around my neighborhood or yard? What kind of surfaces
or slopes are involved?
If you have thought about these questions ahead of time, then you will approach the
evaluation process a little differently than most new consumers. On the other hand, it is
important that you have a team that takes the time to listen to you. Good Luck!
Here are some additional resources related to choosing a wheelchair that have been found
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7. through searching the WWW.
Choosing a Wheelchair: A guide for optimal independence - a book by Gary Karp
Life on Wheels website
Purchase this book online
Independent Reviews - reviews of different wheelchairs by knowledgeable and
"real" end users.
Informed Consumer's Guide to Wheelchair Selection - from ABLEDATA but written
in 1994.
Slide show "Development of consumer-based criteria for evaluation of assistive
devices" - by Batavia and Hammer (a 18 K pdf download file).
The Wheelchair Selection Guide: How to Use the ANSI/RESNA Wheelchair
Standards to Buy a Wheelchair - a book by Axelson, Minkel, & Chesney - read
the exerpts posted on WheelchairNet or purchase the entire book.
Wheelchair Selection - from the Spinal Cord Injury Network at UAB.
Wheelchair Selection: An ALS patient guide - by Marilyn Trail, OTR, BCN and
Peggy Ingels, PT
Wheelchair Selection and Training: Teaching and Guiding Practitioners and
Consumers - a book review of 5 books on wheelchair selection by Brian Dudgeon,
PhD.
Wheelchair evaluation check list and Comparison Matrix - a resource located on
WheelchairNet.
What does it mean if your rehabilitation professional has Certification in Assistive
Technology?
Posted by mosbon at 7:44 AM 0 comments
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