Invacare

BACKGROUND: The F(IO(2)) for a nasal cannula with constant flow (CF) depends on the anatomic reservoir (AR), which is affected by changes in frequency and end-expiratory flow. Conversely, pulse flow (PF) devices do not require the AR. The purpose of this study was to compare the F(IO(2)) delivered by a nasal cannula supplied by CF via oxygen tank with that delivered by PF delivered via portable oxygen concentrator. Hypotheses were (1) a lung model of COPD with non-zero end-expiratory flow decreases F(IO(2)) for CF more than for PF, and (2) CF and PF perform differently in terms of F(IO(2)) delivery, despite having equivalent settings...

BACKGROUND: Inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroids have been used for decades with different production systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The following jet-nebulizers: (a) Invacare, (b) Sunmist, (c) Maxineb and ultrasound nebulizers: (a) GIMA, (b) OMRON and (c) EASY NEB II were used as production systems. The jet-nebulizers were used with different residual cups and volume filling, while the ultrasound nebulizers with different volume fillings and face mask versus inlet...

BACKGROUND: Several aerosol antibiotics are on the market and several others are currently being evaluated. Aim of the study was to evaluate the aerosol droplet size of five different antibiotics for future evaluation as an aerosol administration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The nebulizers Sunmist(®), Maxineb(®) and Invacare(®) were used in combination with four different "small <6 ml" residual cups and two "large <10 ml" with different loadings 2-4-6-8 ml (8 ml only for large residual cups) with five different antibiotic drugs (ampicilln-sulbactam, meropenem, ceftazidime, cefepime and piperacillin-tazobactam)...

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy drugs have still the major disadvantage of non-specific cytotoxic effects. Although, new drugs targeting the genome of the tumor are already in the market, doublet chemotherapy regimens still remain the cornerstone of lung cancer treatment. Novel modalities of administration are under investigation such as; aerosol, intratumoral and intravascular. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study five chemotherapy drugs; paclitaxel, docetaxel, gemcitabine, carboplatin and cisplatin were nebulized with three different jet nebulizers (Maxineb(®), Sunmist(®), Invacare(®)) and six different residual cups at different concentrations...

Portable oxygen concentrators (POC) are highly desirable for patients with lung disease traveling by airplane, as these devices allow theoretically much higher travel times if additional batteries can be used. However, it is unclear whether POCs produce enough oxygen in airplanes at cruising altitude, even if complying with aviation regulations. We evaluated five frequently used POCs (XPO2 (Invacare, USA), Freestyle (AirSep C., USA), Evergo (Philipps Healthcare, Germany), Inogen One (Inogen, USA), Eclipse 3 (Sequal, USA)) at an altitude of 2650 m (as simulated airplane environment) in 11 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and compared theses POCs with the standard oxygen system (WS120, EMS Ltd...

We introduce a novel approach for proportional head control for robotic wheelchairs. An array of force sensors embedded into the headrest is used to monitor the pressure distribution changes due to the intentional head motions of the patient. The force signals are analysed and converted into fully proportional signals that control the wheelchair direction and speed. We developed a prototype interface that generates signals similar to the signals of a standard joystick control box and connected the new interface to a standard Invacare wheelchair...

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether manoeuvrability varied between electric wheelchairs. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective, repeated measures design. SUBJECTS: Twelve wheelchair users. METHODS: Three different electric powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs (Invacare Storm 3, Ottobock B500, and Meyra Champ) intended for use by patients with severe impairments were tested over an indoor and an outdoor circuit...

BACKGROUND: Several portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) have become available in the United States. Technical trade-offs are made in designing POCs, so their performance is expected to differ. METHODS: We tested 4 POC models (Invacare XPO(2), Respironics EverGo, AirSep FreeStyle, and Inogen One) for oxygen delivery as a function of respiratory rate. We measured oxygen volume per pulse, pulse duration, trigger sensitivity, oxygen concentration in the gas delivered by the POC (measured with a ceramic-based oxygen sensor), and relative fraction of inspired oxygen (relative F(IO(2))), measured with a setup that included an adult nasal cannula, a model nares, and a lung simulator that has a built-in oxygen sensor...

This study describe an experiment measuring the moment of inertia of an electric powered wheelchair (EPW) using a torsional pendulum method. Inertia of the wheelchair is an important factor for control, which is a key issue in wheelchair driving. The experimental test platform consisted of a bottom circular wood plate, an upper metal plate, and four ropes. Materials with known moments of inertia such as the metal disk and cylinder were used to test the accuracy of the system. The EPW used in the experiment was Invacare G3 Torque SP Storm Series...

BACKGROUND: Historical wisdom has recommended up to 50 ft (15.24 m) of tubing based on the oxygen cylinder delivery system. Yet, many individuals may store their stationary systems in one area of the home and conduct their activities at distances by adding additional tubing. The aim of this study was to discriminate at what lengths clinically relevant decreases in flow greater than 20% occurred. METHODS: Plastic tubing was added at 25 ft (7.62 m) intervals connected via a swivel adapter up to 200 ft (60...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a selection of low-cost, nonprogrammable electric-powered wheelchairs (EPWs) meets the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) Wheelchair Standards requirements. DESIGN: Objective comparison tests of various aspects of power wheelchair design and performance of 4 EPW types. SPECIMENS: Three of each of the following EPWs: Pride Mobility Jet 10 (Pride), Invacare Pronto M50 (Invacare), Electric Mobility Rascal 250PC (Electric Mobility), and the Golden Technologies Alanté GP-201-F (Golden)...

BACKGROUND: Aerosolized antifungal therapy is a promising route of drug delivery for pulmonary aspergillosis due to attainment of high localized concentrations. Caspofungin, a new antifungal agent with proven efficacy against invasive aspergillosis, has ideal potential for aerosolization. STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine in vitro the suitability of caspofungin for aerosol administration by characterizing factors that influence efficacy and airway tolerance of aerosol delivery: physicochemical properties, aerodynamics of drug particles, and efficiency of nebulizing systems...

Although wheelchair users are frequently subjected to oscillatory and shock vibrations, little research has been conducted to assess the whole-body vibration exposure of wheelchair users. The purpose of this study was to determine if selected wheelchair cushions alter potentially harmful whole-body vibrations transferred to wheelchair users. Thirty-two participants, who use wheelchairs as their primary mode of mobility, contributed to this study. Four of the most commonly prescribed wheelchair cushions were selected...

OBJECTIVE: To examine wheelchair-user perceived ride comfort during propulsion and to compare the ride comfort of ultralight and lightweight manual wheelchairs. An ultralight wheelchair is defined as having a high degree of adjustability, whereas a lightweight wheelchair has minimal adjustability. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Repeated measures design of a sample of 30 community-dwelling manual wheelchair users evaluating 7 different manual wheelchairs over an activities of daily living course...

The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of four power wheelchairs when used by children to perform a variety of indoor activities. Eight boys and eight girls performed a series of 11 functional tasks when positioned in each of four different power wheelchairs reflecting different design classes. There were no significant differences for many of the dependent variables. However, the Everaid Turbo was significantly better for functional positioning at a standard kitchen table and at school desks and for accessing objects at different heights...

OBJECTIVE: This study provides data for clinicians and wheelchair users to compare the durability, stability, and cost effectiveness of three different lightweight wheelchair models: the Everest & Jennings EZ Lite, the Invacare Rolls 2000, and the Quickie Designs Breezy. A second objective was to compare the results from this study to those published for ultralight and institutional depot wheelchairs. DESIGN: Randomized standards testing of three wheelchair models from each manufacturer (nine wheelchairs total)...

In this issue, we evaluate conventional patient lifts that operate by hand cranking, hand pumping, or battery-powered motors and are intended for use in the home or in institutions. We did not evaluate lifts that are designed to be used solely in bathrooms or vehicles or those that permanently affix to walls, floors or ceilings. Some of the evaluated lifts are intended primarily for use in specific environments (e.g., one can be easily disassembled into small components for automobile transport). We evaluated 15 patient lifts from eight manufacturers, basing our ratings on performance, safety, and human factors design...