Introduction: Wheelchair users are in their lives faced with various obstacles. The most important are physical or architectural obstacles. Although researches show positive changes in the urban environment, from which disabled persons benefit, a large proportion of terrain remains difficult to access for people on a wheelchair. Possible complications in wheelchair users, often caused by prolonged sitting, reflect themselves in disorders of gastrointestinal and urinary tract functions, pain, muscle spasms, breathing problems, urological problems and may also lead to pressure ulcers. Aim: The aim of the diploma work is to build a manual wheelchair with which would users better deal their problems related to wheelchair, and to compare it with currently used standard wheelchair. Methods: We wanted to build a wheelchair and then test it. We then observed whether larger front wheels prove more effective, as well as its mobility and agility in comparison to others. Results: The concept of a wheelchair was to improve the comfort of driving the wheelchair itself, both in the area of the user’s health and in overcoming daily obstacles. The wheelchair consists of an aluminium frame, a seat made is of polyurethane foam and has the ability of applying an additional 15 degrees forward inclination system for the seat unit. The wheels are made of steel and have full tires. The wheelchair has three wheels, two large in the front and one small wheel in the back. Testing of a concept wheelchair revealed that it was better in one hand but on the other hand was better standard wheelchair. Discussion and conclusions: The idea of the concept wheelchair stems from listening to and observing users during their daily activities and reviewing the health problems the users face. During the development and construction of the wheelchair there were many obstacles and difficulties which we managed to solve. Entire time there was a desire to further enhance wheelchairs, which would help to improve the living conditions of their users. The problems arose because it was chosen a rather wide range of solutions to problems
|