Team 5

Assistive Walker Device for Ambulation to Aid and Prevent Falling

Team Members:

Rachel Hall

Alison Fahy

Krissian Hargreaves

Anisa Syed

Yvonne Chook

Team Mentors:

Dr. Del Prado - Maricopa Integrated Health Systems

Dr. Daniel Peterson - Arizona State University

YouTube Link:
View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting

Zoom Link:
https://asu.zoom.us/j/86530201656

Abstract
Our team is aiming to create an assistive walker device to assist in ambulation to provide aid and include prevention mechanisms in the case of falling. The current issues with existing walker devices on the market include: zero mechanisms to aid in getting a patient back up if and when a fall occurs, additionally, there is a lack of fall prevention systems in place in existing walker devices. The majority of our target customers include senior citizens and patients who are mostly immobile, who rely on these devices on a daily basis. If a fall does occur and there is no one else in the room to aid the patient, they may not have access to help and this is an issue especially if they need immediate assistance.

After talking with a few users, we were able to determine that a majority of the walkers on the market today are not meeting the needs of the customer. Many of the current models are bulky in size, contain unreliable braking mechanisms, and provide no assistance if a fall were to occur. Our IPDT is working to design and create a new assistive walker that not only meets the basic needs of the user, but also provides an element that will assist in the event of a fall. This new element will provide the user with the ability to call for emergency assistance or 911 using their walker in case their phone is not within reach. An element such as this would eliminate the need for a life alert device as this technology would be implemented directly into the assistive walker.