Methodology for user and user's life centered clinical evaluation of assistive technology (ULCEAT): Evaluation with prototype Roboticbed®

Abstract

Background: Clinical evaluation of novel assistive technologies is of utmost importance, as this would help in making such technologies practical and ensuring that they suit the user's requirements. Objective: The purpose of this study is to develop a new methodology for the addition of user and user's life centered clinical evaluation of assistive technologies (ULCEAT) to conventional evaluation methods. The proposed ULCEAT methodology consists of two steps: evaluation by rehabilitation professionals and evaluation by potential users. These evaluations were performed to identify target users and to ensure the effective use of new assistive technologies (ATs); the evaluations were based primarily on qualitative research involving the rehabilitation professionals and the potential users. Methods: The methodology was demonstrated by using it for the clinical evaluation of Roboticbed , which was developed by the Panasonic Corporation. Results: The effective use of Roboticbed was confirmed on the basis of the results, and three target user types were identified. The validity of this methodology was further confirmed by a user evaluation of Roboticbed in an experimental environment. Conclusions: The findings of this study will be used to help conduct conventional clinical evaluations for novel and prototype ATs.

Design and Evaluation of a Novel Person Transfer Assist System

“…The plates could have varieties of forms, for example, it can be a bed, a small seat, or robotic arms with protective covers [15]. Robotic bed [16], [17] is a typical transport device, it separates the bed in two halves, and one of them can be folded into a wheelchair. As a result, the patients can change the states between sitting and lying without caregivers.…”

Structural Design and Preliminary Tests of a Novel Patient Transfer Apparatus for Medical Scenarios

“…When the device moves close to the patient, the belts rotate in reverse on the surface of the plate, so there exists no significant relative movement between the patient and the bed in the horizontal direction, and there is only a small change in height, thus achieving a safe and smooth transfer process of the patient. e chair/ bed type is a combination of a bed and a wheelchair; it usually consists of a U-shaped bed and a foldable wheelchair [14][15][16]. is type of equipment integrates the functions of the bed and wheelchair, and they have the advantages of higher transfer efficiency and less physical/mental burden on the patients.…”