Types of wheelchairs
A basic standard manual wheelchair incorporates a seat and back, two
small front (caster) wheels and two large wheels, one on each side, and
a foot rest.
Wheelchairs are often variations on this basic design, but there are
many types of wheelchairs, and they are often highly customized for the
individual user's needs. The seat size (width and depth), seat-to-floor
height, seat angle footrests/leg rests, adjustable backrests, controls, and many other features can
be customized on.
Transport wheelchairs are usually light, folding chairs with four
small wheels designed to be pushed by a caregiver to provide mobility
for patients outside the home or more common medical settings.
Various optional accessories are available, such as anti-tip bars or
wheels, safety belts, adjustable backrests, tilt and/or recline
features, extra support for limbs or neck, mounts or carrying devices
for crutches, walkers or oxygen tanks, drink holders, and clothing protectors.
Experiments have also been made with unusual variant wheels, like the omniwheel or the mecanum wheel. These allow more directional movement options.
The electric wheelchair shown on the right is fitted with Mecanum wheels
(sometimes known as Ilon wheels) which give it complete freedom of
movement. It can be driven forwards, backwards, sideways, and
diagonally, and also turned round on the spot or turned around while
moving, all operated from a simple joystick.
Manual wheelchairs
Manual wheelchairs are those that require human power to move them.
Many manual wheelchairs can be folded for storage or placement into a
vehicle, although modern wheelchairs are just as likely to be rigid
framed.
Manual or self-propelled wheelchairs are propelled by the
occupant, usually by using large rear wheels, from 20-26 inches in
average diameter, and resembling bicycle wheels. The user moves the
chair by pushing on the handrims, which are made of circular tubing
attached to the outside of the large wheels. The handrims have a
diameter that is slightly less than that of the rear wheels. Skilled
users can control speed and turning and often learn to balance the
chair on its rear wheels - do a "wheelie". The wheelie is not just for
show - a rider who can control the chair in this manner can climb and
descend curbs and move over small obstacles.
One-arm drive enables a user to guide and propel a wheelchair from
one side. Two handrims, one smaller than the other, are located on one
side of the chair, left or right. On most models the outer, or smaller
rim, is connected to the opposite wheel by a folding axle. When both
handrims are grasped together, the chair may be propelled forward or
backward in a straight line. When either handrim is moved
independently, the chair will turn left or right in response to the
handrim used. Another alternative is a lever-drive chair that propels
the chair forwards by using a lever that is pumped back and forth. Some
chairs are also configured to allow the occupant to propel using one or
both feet instead of using the rims.
Attendant-propelled chairs are designed to be propelled by an
attendant using the handles, and thus the back wheels are rimless and
often smaller. These chairs are often used as 'transfer chairs' to move
a patient when a better alternative is unavailable, possibly within a
hospital, as a temporary option, or in areas where a user's standard
chair is unavailable. These chairs are commonly seen in airports.
Special airplane transfer chairs are available on most airlines,
designed to fit narrow airplane aisles and transfer wheelchair-using
passengers to and from their seats on the plane.
Assessments for wheelchairs
When a professional assessment is required the team may comprise of an occupational therapist, physical therapist/physiotherapist and a rehabilitation engineer or clinical scientist. Every wheelchair user should obtain an assessment prior to purchasing a wheelchair.
All of our wheelchairs have been carefully selected both for quality and for pricing.
