Name: Irshath Ahamed K

Guide: Prof. P Kumaresan

Course: Industrial Design

Redesign of a paediatric standing frame

The act of standing is crucial not only for our physical health, but for our emotional and mental health as well. Sitting too much can cause a plethora of health issues, for both able-bodied and disabled individuals. Health complications often arise from the prolonged use of a wheelchair and can include the loss of bone density, lower extremity contractures, spasticity, decreased range of motion, decreased circulation, decreased bowel function, decreased respiratory function, and an increased risk for pressure ulcers and urinary tract infections. The problem with the standing frames and India however is that, the standing frames are extremely expensive and had to imported for each specific individual. This may range from $3000-$4000. This project suggests design measures that is inexpensive that has all the basic features and aesthetically pleasing to the child which can be of great benefit to children with disabilities, developmental delays and other mobility challenges.

‘Standing is part of everyday life and CP child is no different’. Are you sitting down? Perfect. Please take a moment to check in with your body. Is your rear kind of numb? Do the backs of your thighs feel smushed? Is your lower back all crunched? This is your body crying out for help! Really. A wave of new research indicates that sitting all day is actively damaging your health. By forcing a body designed for movement to hold a crushingly immobile position, sitting strains muscles, slows your metabolism, increases your risk of heart disease, and even shortens your life span.

Now Imagine children with disabilities who cannot stand up or maintain an erect posture.The act of standing is crucial not only for our physical health, but for our emotional and mental health as well. Sitting too much can cause a plethora of health issues, for both able-bodied and disabled individuals. Health complications often arise from the prolonged use of a wheelchair and can include the loss of bone density, lower extremity contractures, spasticity, decreased range of motion, decreased circulation, decreased bowel function, decreased respiratory function, and an increased risk for pressure ulcers and urinary tract infections.

The problem with the standing frames and India is that, The standing frames are extremely expensive. Cerebral palsy is not so rare as far as India is concerned as about a million cases are reported every year. For Children with this condition stand Because standing is crucial to proper physical and mental function. Therefore the objective of the project is to come up with a design that is inexpensive that has all the basic features and aesthetically pleasing to the child. This inexpensive and innovative standing aid can be of great benefit to children with disabilities, developmental delays and other mobility challenges.

The Under-Stand stander will support children with mild to more severe levels of physical involvement. The stander provides just the right amount of support that each individual requires around the trunk, pelvis and lower extremities. Angle adjustment ranges from 0° to 40° were uniquely factored in to the standing frame to gradually increase weight bearing as his or her tolerance increases. Best of all, the chest plate, flexible lateral supports, knee plate and foot supports are also adjustable and capable of expanding for growth and changing physical/functional levels. The knee rest, chest pad and the activity tray are attached to the central core tube running from the foot pedal to the top. The foot pedal is attached to the base support. The Standing System is designed for children as young as 16 months through about 5 years of age. Children love it because it looks playful! Parents and their would love it because it is light-weight and easy to move around.