Evaluation of Titanium Wheelchairs Using the ANSI/RESNA Standards
By Liu, Hsin-Yi; Cooper, Rory A.; Fitzgerald, Shirley G.; Pearlman, Jonathan L.; Connor, Samuel; Souza, Ana; Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) 2007 Conference,Publication Date: 2007
Twelve titanium manual wheelchairs were evaluated using the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) standards to determine their durability and stability. Among the ANSI/RESNA standard tests, the fatigue tests, including double-drum test and curb-drop tests, simulate 3 to 5 years of use. If the wheelchair passes the double-drum test, it goes on to curb-dropt test. Four different models from 3 manufacturers were tested, including the TiLite ZRA by TiLite, the Quickie Ti Titanium by Sunrise Medical, the A4 Titanium and the Top End Terminator by Invacare. The testing is still proceeding. Thus far, 2 wheelchairs, the A4 Titanium and the Top End Terminator, have failed in double-drum testing. The results of static stability testing at present show some unique characteristics from lightweight and ultraweight wheelchairs that may need more attention during testing procedures. This paper was presented at the 2007 Annual Conference of the Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America.
Assistive Products Discussed: QUICKIE TI TITANIUM
A4 TITANIUM
TOP END TERMINATOR TITANIUM WHEELCHAIR
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) (Website:http://www.resna.org)
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number O16987
