Development of a dual - purpose wheelchair for COVID-19 paraplegic patients using nigerian anthropometry data

Due to the numerous numbers of COVID-19 infected patients, the call for more isolation centers and hospital facilities, the widespread of COVID-19 virus amidst the health caregivers as a result of the handling of infected patients and the challenging situations of the paraplegics, a dual-purpose wheelchair is thus proposed for isolation centers and hospitals in the underdeveloped countries. The dual-purpose wheelchair was developed to facilitate sitting and sleeping postures that are desirable in handling the challenges of COVID-19 paraplegic patients in homes, hospitals and rehabilitation centers. The documented anthropometry parameter of the 5th, 50th, 75th(,) and 95th percentile distribution of Nigerian paraplegics were retrieved and used in the design. The developed wheelchair was powered by a battery that converts the system from the wheelchair mode (sitting mode) to the bed (sleeping/relaxation) mode or vice versa. The average conversion rate of the dual-purpose wheelchair from bed mode to sitting mode and sitting mode to bed mode at no load is about 149.7 s and 163.6 s respectively with a standard error of ±0.2 s. Also, the average conversion rate from sitting mode to bed/sleeping mode and bed mode to sitting mode under load is about 150.4 s and 166 s respectively. The ergonomic suitability and comfortability were determined from the computed average acceleration (A(RMS)), vibration dose value (VDV), and weighted acceleration value (A(WRMS)). The result from the performance test shows that the average acceleration falls between the range of 0.10 m/s(2) and 0.29 m/s(2) and the vibration dose value (VDV) ranges between 0.01 m/s(1.75) and 1.35 m/s(1.75). The weighted acceleration (A(weighted)) was also computed and found to be between the range of 0.01 m/s(2) and 0.35 m/s(2) vibration value. Thus, attesting that the dual-purpose wheelchair design is ergonomically correct and safe to be used. The cost of the production of the prototype is estimated at one hundred and ninety dollars (190 USD).