Quadriplegic Wheelchairs

Published: December 10, 2013

While some individuals with quadriplegia retain a degree of movement in their appendages, many more do not. For these individuals, traditional power wheelchairs – with their joystick control interfaces – are not an option. In such cases, wheelchairs that have been designed specifically for individuals with quadriplegia are much better choices. It is important to understand the difference between the various types of wheelchairs that are available so that you can make informed decisions regarding your mode of transportation.

At Precision Repair Network, educating you on your options is a priority for us. We want you to understand that there are constant technological updates being made in this field, and the types and options available are becoming greater every day. If you or someone you love has quadriplegia, these wheelchairs are for you.

Sip-and-Puff Wheelchair

For individuals who have suffered a total loss of use of their limbs and torso, the traditional wheelchair control mechanism that is employed is the sip-and-puff system. This type of wheelchair utilizes an interface that employs a straw or tube. The user manipulates his or her wheelchair by making basic inputs through this tube:

• Initial Hard Puff – An initial hard puff into the straw, tube, or "wand" will cause the wheelchair to move forward
• Hard Sip – A hard sip made into the tube after the wheelchair is in motion will cause it to come to a stop
• Initial Hard Sip – An initial hard sip into the straw will cause the wheelchair to move backwards
• Hard Puff – A hard puff made into the tube after the wheelchair is in reverse motion will cause it to come to a stop
• Continuous Soft Sip or Puff – Once in motion, a continuous soft sip or puff can be utilized to move left or right, allowing the wheelchair to turn

Individuals with quadriplegia who retain some degree of movement in the appendages can still utilize a joystick-controlled wheelchair. However, this type of wheelchair is commonly used by individuals who have lost all motor functions below the neck. While this device is common, other options are currently being developed.

Tongue-controlled Wheelchair

One of the newest developments in the world of wheelchair design is the tongue-operated wheelchair. Designed as an alternative to the traditional sip-and-puff chair, this device aims to make inputs more intuitive and more effective while helping to improve users' comfort and confidence. The wheelchair works by transmitting inputs from the user's tongue (which is embedded with a magnetic device not unlike a tongue piercing) to a cell phone, which is tied into the wheelchair's computer.

Though development is still ongoing, initial reports indicate that the tongue-directed wheelchair is easier to operate and allows for faster driving than a traditional sip-and-puff chair. And because the device is routed through the user's cell phone, which can be connected via BlueTooth to any number of different electronic devices, the interface can be used for functions outside of operating the wheelchair. The biggest advantage, according to the system's chief designer, Maysam Ghovanloo of Georgia Tech, is that the system travels with the user, not the wheelchair. Further developments still need to be made but this could be the future of wheelchair control for individuals with quadriplegia.

Mind-controlled Wheelchairs

Though it may sound more like science fiction than science fact, there are several different companies and research institutions (including Toyota) that are working on brain-controlled power wheelchairs. These mind-controlled wheelchairs allow individuals to manipulate and operate their devices through EEG, or electroencephalography, which is the recording of electrical activity along the scalp. In order for EEG to work, users wear skull caps that feature multiple electrodes. These electrodes read and analyze electrical signals, which are then interpreted and turned into action through advanced computer systems utilizing artificial intelligence.

The system is currently in its infancy but conceptually has been proven to work. As the technology becomes more advanced, it will inevitably become more reliable, easier to use, and cheaper. There may be a time in the not-too-distant future when all quadriplegic wheelchairs incorporate some type of mind-control interface. Why rely on physical interfaces when you can go right to the source?