Wheelchair pressure ulcer risk management coaching system and methodology
A wheelchair system includes a wheelchair including a plurality of force sensors including at least three force sensors. A rigid seat pan is placed in contact with each the plurality of force sensors at a different position on the rigid seat pan so that the rigid seat pan does not contact the frame and forces on the rigid seat pan are transferred to the plurality of force sensors. Each of the plurality of force sensors is in communicative connection with a processor system. A memory system is in communicative connection and an interface system is in connection with the processor system and a user interface system in communicative connection with the processor system. Instructions stored on the memory system are executable by the processor system to determine a value of a variable related to a distribution of force on the rigid seat pan over time.
1. A wheelchair system, comprising:
a wheelchair comprising a frame, a plurality of wheels attached to the frame; a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors, the plurality of force sensors comprising at least three force sensors, each of the plurality of force sensors being attached to the frame and being positioned at a different position; and a rigid seat pan placed in contact with each of the plurality of force sensors at a different position on the rigid seat pan so that the rigid seat pan does not contact the frame and forces on the rigid seat pan are transferred to the plurality of force sensors;
a processor system, each of the plurality of force sensors being in communicative connection with the processor system,
a memory system in communicative connection with the processor system,
a user interface system in communicative connection with the processor system, and
instructions on the memory system which are executable by the processor system to determine a value of a variable related to a distribution of force on the rigid seat pan and thereby seating position of a user on a seat operatively connected to the rigid seat pan over time from data from each of the plurality of force sensors.
2. The wheelchair system of claim 1 wherein the memory system further includes instructions executable by the processor system to provide information via the user interface system to a user of the wheelchair based upon the distribution of force on the rigid seat pan over time to assist the user to adjust the seating position of the user in accordance with parameters stored in the memory system.
3. The wheelchair system of claim 2 wherein the sensor system comprises at least four force sensors.
4. The wheelchair system of claim 3 wherein each of the at least four force sensors comprises at least one strain gauge.
5. The wheelchair system of claim 3 wherein each of the at least four force sensors measures tensile and compressive forces.
6. The wheelchair system of claim 3 wherein the variable is a center of pressure or force on the rigid seat pan.
7. The wheelchair system of claim 6 wherein a total force on the rigid seat pan is determined and used in determining at least one type of pressure relief.
8. The wheelchair system of claim 6 wherein an effective pressure relief event is determined to have been achieved if a predetermined cumulative period of time that the value of the variable indicates at least one the type of pressure relief is achieved.
9. The wheelchair system of claim 8 wherein the user is notified via the user interface system if the effective pressure relief event is achieved.
10. A wheelchair system, comprising:
a wheelchair comprising a frame, a plurality of wheels attached to the frame: a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors, the plurality of force sensors comprising at least four force sensors. each of the plurality of force sensors being attached to the frame and being positioned at a different position; and a rigid seat pan placed in contact with each of the plurality of force sensors at a different position on the rigid seat pan so that the rigid seat pan does not contact the frame and forces on the rigid seat pan are transferred to the plurality of force sensors;
a pedestal connected to the frame and a support structure connected to the pedestal, each of the at least four force sensors being attached to the support structure;
a processor system, each of the plurality of force sensors being in communicative connection with the processor system,
a memory system in communicative connection with the processor system,
a user interface system in communicative connection with the processor system, and
instructions on the memory system which are executable by the processor system to determine a value of a variable related to a distribution of force on the rigid seat pan over time and to provide information via the user interface system to a user of the wheelchair based upon the distribution of force on the rigid seat pan over time to assist the user to adjust a seating position of the user in accordance with parameters stored in the memory system.
11. The wheelchair system of claim 10 wherein the support structure includes four radially outward extending members and each one of the at least four force sensors is attached to a different one of the radially outward extending members.
12. The wheelchair system of claim 3 wherein each of the four force sensors is independently connected to the frame.
13. The wheelchair system of claim 2 wherein the memory system comprises readable instructions that are executable by the processor system to provide user instructions to the user to adjust seating position of the user to perform pressure relief in accordance with parameters stored in the memory system.
14. The wheelchair system of claim 13 wherein the processor system is configured to store data regarding at least one of a user instruction or a user action in the memory system.
15. The wheelchair system of claim 13 wherein the processor system monitors to determine if an effective pressure relieve event has occurred.
16. The wheelchair system of claim 13 further comprising a communication system in operative connection with the processor system, wherein data is transmitted to a remote system via the communication system or data is received from the remote system.
17. The wheelchair system of claim 13 wherein the user interface system comprises a display.
18. The wheelchair system of claim 13 further comprising a communication system in operative connection with the processor system, and wherein at least one processor of the processor system, at least one memory component of the memory system, at least one communication component of the communication system or at least one interface component of the interface system are provided by a personal communication device.
19. The wheelchair system of claim 18 wherein the personal communication device is a smartphone or a tablet computer.
20. The wheelchair system of claim 13 wherein the wheelchair is a manually powered wheelchair.
21. The wheelchair system of claim 2 wherein the processor system provides information via the user interface system to a user of the wheelchair based upon the distribution of force on the rigid seat pan over time regarding seating posture of the user.
22. The wheelchair system of claim 21 wherein instructions are provided to the user to assist the user to adjust the seating posture of the user in accordance with parameters stored in the memory system.
23. A method of tracking seating activity of a user in a wheelchair system including a wheelchair including a frame, a plurality of wheels attached to the frame and a rigid seat pan, comprising:
providing a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors, the plurality of force sensors comprising at least three force sensors, each of the plurality of force sensors being attached to the frame and being positioned at a different position relative to the frame, the rigid seat pan being placed in contact with each of the plurality of force sensors at a different position on the rigid seat pan so that the rigid seat pan does not contact the frame and forces on the rigid seat pan are transferred to the plurality of force sensors;
providing a processor system, each of the plurality of force sensors being in communicative connection with the processor system,
providing a memory system in communicative connection with the processor system, and
executing instructions stored on the memory system via the processor system to determine a value of a variable related to a distribution of force on the rigid seat pan and thereby seating position of a user on a seat operatively connected to the rigid seat pan over time from data from each of the plurality of force sensors.
24. A method of providing information regarding seating activity to a user of a wheelchair including a frame, a plurality of wheels attached to the frame and a rigid seat pan, comprising:
providing a sensor system comprising a plurality of force sensors, the plurality of force sensors comprising at least three force sensors, each of the plurality of force sensors being attached to the frame and being positioned at a different position, the rigid seat pan being placed in contact with each of the plurality of force sensors at a different position on the rigid seat pan so that the rigid seat pan does not contact the frame and forces on the rigid seat pan are transferred to the plurality of force sensors;
providing a processor system, each of the plurality of force sensors being in communicative connection with the processor system,
providing a memory system in communicative connection with the processor system,
providing a user interface system in communicative connection with the processor system,
executing instructions stored on the memory system via the processor system to determine a value of a variable related to a distribution of force on the rigid seat pan and thereby seating position of a user on a seat operatively connected to the rigid seat pan over time from data from each of the plurality of force sensors; and
providing information via the user interface system to a user of the wheelchair based upon the distribution of force on the rigid seat pan over time to assist the user to adjust a seating position of the user in accordance with parameters stored in the memory system.