When we think of innovation, we often think about technology. And, while the MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute’s spinal cord injury (SCI) care surely incorporates technology, what makes our rehabilitative care so innovative is that our clinician team starts by considering the daily lives of those living with SCI—what’s difficult, what could be easier, and what could
provide some added independence and comfort.
That innovation will be on display next month at the annual conference for the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals (ASCIP). Three of our team members are participating in the conference’s annual Innovation Lab where they will showcase their latest inventions—or adaptations of existing inventions—for our patients living with SCI.
The team collaborates within the MetroHealth Adaptive Life Technologies (ALT) Lab—which in its first year served 55 people living with SCI—to create assistive technologies that improve mobility, function, communication, self-care and, ultimately, overall quality of life.
The team consists of:
• Megan Anderson, MS, OTR/L
• Blake Perkins DPT, ATP
• Alexi Emerick, MOT, OTR/L
Snap and Go
Megan Anderson, MS, OTR/L, heard about a MetroHealth rehabilitation patient with SCI who was expecting a baby and wanted to provide her—and any individual in a manual wheelchair—with the ability to safely and independently transfer a child in a baby carrier. Working with the team, she fabricated the “Snap and Go,” which enables an individual to simply snap a holder in place on their manual wheelchair, then lift and place the carrier into the holder.
The Snap and Go includes the car seat and adapter. Then, with most manual wheelchairs having side guard or armrest receivers—typically an insurance-funded component—the remaining parts are fairly minimal and inexpensive: bolts, nuts and mending plates.
“The Snap and Go provides independence, helping a parent or caregiver to safely carry their young child,” says Megan.
TempMe Augmented Body Temperature Regulation
Those living with SCI struggle with body temperature regulation throughout the day—a fact that’s particularly frustrating at night. During sleeping hours, thermodysregulation causes disrupted sleep, which causes other detrimental effects. It also requires an individual to rely more significantly on caregivers.
As someone who lives with SCI, Blake Perkins DPT, ATP, understands this frustration firsthand—and was driven to resolve it.
TempMe is a novel application of existing smart home technology, automatically adjusting the room temperature based on the user’s body temperature through a closed-loop feedback system. The individual is equipped with a wearable smart home device that tracks body temperatures and adjusts the room atmosphere based on pre-established settings.
Freedom Close
Maneuvering and navigating certain home, work and community spaces can be challenging for those living with SCI. Alexi Emerick, MOT, OTR/L, was inspired to find an easier way for wheelchair users to open and close various hinged doors quickly, safely and independently—and without adding to reach and balance demands.
The result was Freedom Close, a customizable, retractable, simple T-shaped handle with an enlarged loop for those with limited grasp. While a similar tool existed, it was not easy to use. The team’s adaptation includes a 3D-constructed loop to make it easier to open and close doors—and it’s cost-effective and practical.
“It’s easy to use and install on any door within the home or community,” she says. “It’s made of ABS plastic which makes it durable and able to withstand multiple uses.”
Forward Motion
While the team is excited to share their innovations at ASCIP, they are equally looking forward to getting input from peers as they hone the adaptive devices and make them as easy and usable for patients as possible.
