Week 3 and week 4 Progress

In this week, I have done the project title selection and my research on the previous walker used by the patient. I have also see the major problem of the patient and try to solve it by making it as my objective.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Push Walker

Figure : Push walker (1stSenior Care, 2007).

Usually, push walkers are good for carpet area and has the big tire where it is better

 for movement. Push walkers have become so popular that walkers are now offered with 

many options. Some walkers have seats so the elders can take a break from the walking and

 sit for awhile. The push walkers are also more stable than the lift walkers. The reason for this

 is the bigger wheels and there is constant contact with the floor compare to intermittent 

contact with the floor when using the lift walker. Push walkers are also easily adjust to different

 floor surfaces .While the elder may have more contact with linoleum but when they do come

 in contact with carpeting it can be dangerous (1stSenior Care, 2007).

Lift Walker

Figure : Lift walker (Allegro Medical, 1997).

Basically, lift walkers are usually four point of ground contact with two of the points is rubber tips and it can be changing the frame with a large number of height and wide adjustments. This walker has good stability and easy to use. Beside, this walker is lightweight and easy to lift (Allegro Medical, 1997).

Powered Walker having Integrated Parallel Bars

  Figure : Powered walker having integrated parallel bars (Lathrop, 1996)

This walker is an integrated powered walker and parallel bar to provide a stable and easy to use .This walker also to move forward according to a user need. The user can be controls the movement of this walker by depressing a switch. Beside, the user can also control the speed of this walker (Lathrop, 1996).

Powered Walker

Figure : Powered walker (Houston and Metzger, 1989).

This walker includes a frame assembly and has space for containing an operator in a standing position. When operators enter inside this walker, gate can be covered and opened. This gate purpose is to operator safety. This walker has a seat which can be adjustable either in horizontal or vertical direction. Beside that, this walker has a switch to control the movement either forward or reverse (Houston, and Metzger 1989).

The Problem Statement have to be clarified to achieve the objective:

Traditionally, a handicapped walker is picked up and placed a short distance ahead of the user. The user then walks to it and repeats the process. If the elders or handicapped person have to move using manual walker, they must raised the walker step by step where it is very difficult and requires more energy to the user. Using the remote sensing walker, the users only need to push the switch at RF remote control and on the walker frame to move in various directions that are left, right, forward, and reverse. It also provides photo-electric sensors and ability to detect the obstacle in front. This walker is easily park or return to the user where it only need the depressing of the switch at RF remote control and it also facilitate the user to go to anywhere without inconveniencing other people.

The objective are listed below: 

• o   Reduce the energy used of the user to lift the walker .
• o   To help user  find if they misplaced the walker.
• o   Help user to alert the obstacle in front of them by beeping sound and at certain range, the walker will stop by itself.
• o   To develop the remote sensing walker and should equipped with various types of   component.
• o   To develop the RF remote control to use with the walker.