Matthew
We are occasionally asked to produce custom-made postioning devices for
side and supine lying. Some current requests from a special needs school
include using an Arjo shower trolley as the base for a positioner.
Although unorthodox, the Arjo is relatively narrow and is more easily
transferred between classes. It is also height adjustable and can be set
at desk height. The lying-position support can be a proprietary device
like the symmetri-sleep or of an in-house construction.
Regards
R
Robert Farley
Clinical Bioengineer - Special Needs Design
Rehabilitation Engineering Services
Eastern General Hospital
Seafield Street
Edinburgh EH6 7LN
0131 536 4847
>>> [log in to unmask] 24/05/05 >>>
I would be grateful if you could assist with a design issue that we are
faced with.
We have been asked to provide side lying posture support for a pupil
who is about to transfer from junior to secondary school.
This pupil has a severe physically disability such that it is necessary
to spend most of the day side lying. Sometimes in a spinal jacket and
sometimes, when the jacket cannot be tolerated, without it. At Junior
school the pupil lies on the floor on a standard therapy mattress with a
pillow for head support.
When transferred to secondary school this solution is not acceptable.
It will be necessary to transfer the side lying equipment between
classes and will also have to be at desk height to participate in the
lessons and to minimize risk. The pupil will transfer between classes in
a powered chair [ is an expert driver but can only tolerate seating for
up to an hour at the most and as the disability worsens tolerance is
decreasing]. The seating is probably as good as it can be [currently on
a Roho base with a Matrix back. Has also had carved foam systems]. I
have spoken with Rick Houghton of PIMS Oxford who suggested a wheelchair
base [Double Kimba]. Which we will pursue.
Is there anyone else with experience in this area?
Regards,
Matthew Pepper
PS apologies for the strange wording but I have attempted to anonimise
the pupil involved.
Dr M.G. Pepper
Head of Electronics and Rehabilitation Engineering
Medical Physics Department
Kent & Canterbury Hospital
East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust
Canterbury
Kent CT1 3NG
01227 864083
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