Author: PDTS

The Product Development Technology Station (PDTS) is leading the charge in developing appropriate mobility devices in Africa. African countries such as South Africa face a big problem concerning the mobility of persons with disability in rural communities. To supply the large need, cheap basic folding wheelchairs are imported. This is concerning as these wheelchairs are not intended for the environmental challenges faced in African conditions. These wheelchairs also seldom come with or have available spare parts, resulting in them being discarded once a failure occurs.

The PDTS considered the project from a root problem perspective. South Africa does not have a problem in the shortage of wheelchairs, rather a shortage of appropriate reliable wheelchairs. With this in mind the station provided a sustainable solution to improve the mobility of persons with disability in rural areas. The new wheelchair features an attachable hand cycle or free wheel to help with mobility and reliability in rural areas and during long distance traveling. A person with disability will have a reliable wheelchair to move around indoors, but has a clip on hand cycle or free wheel to improve mobility on rough rural roads and over long distances.

The station developed a flexible manufacturing process that also allows persons with disability to manufacture the mobility device in four standard sizes. The PDTS facilitated the entire product development process, which includes conceptualizing the idea, manufacturing of the product and creating a corporate identity and branding.

A standing frame provides alternative positioning to sitting, by supporting the person in a standing position. Standing promotes healthy bone maintenance, leg muscle stretching, spasticity reduction, improved internal organ functions, improved posture and overall range of motion improvement. These benefits are not just physical, but also psychological.

Standing frames are commonly used by persons who rely on a wheelchair for mobility, patients who have been in ICU or hospital for an extensive time due to a diagnosis that caused them to become weak. Standing is also useful for patients with spinal cord injuries, Guillain-Barré syndrome, muscle weakness and fatigue, elderly patients and those that cannot stand without external assistance.

The Product Development Technology Station has developed a cost effective easily adjustable standing frame for a physiotherapy environment. The station’s standing frame comes with a host of adjustable features that accommodate a wide range of body types. Localised manufacturing also dramatically reduces the retail price.

Sensory integration (SI) is the ability of the body to process information from our senses and respond accordingly. SI dysfunction can therefore be described as the nervous system and brain not processing sensory input effectively. When this happens an appropriate behavioural or motor response to the stimulus cannot be executed.

Occupational therapists use purposeful activities and specialised equipment to create opportunities for enhanced SI in therapy.

The SI field has a strong research base in South Africa, but commercial adoption has been suppressed due to a lack of specific equipment and evaluation tools. The equipment is barely available overseas, with only a few manufacturers worldwide. The limited availability and accessibility therefore dramatically raises the cost of imported equipment.

SI has traditionally focused on paediatric patients. Research from collaborative partners showed that the field is also relevant to adolescent and adult patients, especially in Southern Africa.

The Product Development Technology Station has converted fundamental research into commercial medical therapy devices. It has produced multiple novel SI products focused on adult therapy. These include an adult SI roller which provides proprioceptive input and improves regulation for SI for patients such as those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Another example is an adult ramp and scooter board, to treat patients with motion and balance difficulties. It allows for adequate vestibular sensory input.