Medical Patch Applicator
This device was designed for a client in need of a device to help her mother with her ability to apply her medication patch. Her mother suffers from chronic shoulder pain, which limits her range of motion. They tried every kind of product that was commercially available, but nothing could help her apply her patch in the correct location. They heard about the IATP Maker program and were curious to see if we could provide a solution. After two prototypes, the Makers found a solution that would work. The lidocaine patch lightly sticks to the applicator and the handle design allows her to position the patch where needed and transfer it to her body using very little pressure.
Apple Keyboard Stand
A previous IATP customer reached out to the Makers program to request a fabricated device for his Apple keyboard that was loaned through IATP’s Device Loan Program. There wasn’t any existing keyboard stand designs for this model of keyboard, so an engineer on the Makers team designed and fabricated one to fit the customer’s need. The keyboard stand contains a downward slope of roughly sixteen degrees to accommodate the customer’s tightened muscle tone in his arms and wrist. Once the design was finished and printed, the Makers Program adhered Dycem, a non-slip material, to the bottom of the keyboard stand to ensure it would not move around while in use. The customer was very pleased with the outcome and the ability to use his keyboard when paired with the fabricated stand that he called the Makers program as soon as the package arrived to praise them for their design work. In the customer’s generous words, he said, “The Makers program should win an award for my new keyboard stand!”.
Sandwich Bag Assist
IATP’s Tech Kitchen program met with a customer who had only use of one hand and was interested in learning how assistive technology devices could help him be more independent in the kitchen. A request was submitted to the IATP Makers Program for a device to hold Ziplock and toaster bags open while he puts his food inside. The Makers Program then presented various designs using open source files and some designed in-house.
A similar device exists on the market, and is currently in the Tech Kitchen’s demonstration inventory, although it did not work for the customer’s specific needs. Ultimately, the Tech Kitchen decided on an open source design which was then modified to hold the bags in place more appropriately for a one-handed user, therefore making it functional for the customer. The device also contains an adhesive tape attached to the bottom for additional stabilization on countertops.
Headrest Switch Mount
An IATP Speech-Language Pathologist submitted a referral to Makers on behalf of an IATP customer she had provided with an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) evaluation. The customer requires the use of a head-activated switch to navigate her device. Our SLP noticed that the swing-away switch mounts on both sides of the wheelchair headrest were bulky and appeared unsafe for the client’s younger children, causing a high risk of pinching fingers. The swing-away mounts also cause wear and tear on the headrest cover.
The Makers team fabricated two symmetrical mounts that clip onto the side of the headrest, including Velcro attachments to hold the switches when activated via lateral sides of the individual’s head. Both mounts were printed in under two hours. This simplified solution is safer and more convenient than wheelchair mounts she previously used.
Adjustable Switch Mount
Noah is a young boy who is learning play skills by using an adaptive switch to power toys on and off. His therapist reached out to IATP’s Makers program to assist with designing and fabricating a switch mount that would help him be more independent. Noah was only able to activate the switch with the help of someone holding it up in front of him due to the limited range of motion in his arms. Other mounting alternatives were considered, but the degree of angle required for Noah would not work with the available switch mounts.
The Makers Team designed a switch mount that will accommodate his range of motion and degree of angle. The switch mount can be repositioned to other tray surfaces Noah uses. With the help of theMakers Team and 3D-printing, Noah can now activate his preferred toys independently from either his Rifton chair or adapted stroller.
Adaptive Chef Knife
Coleen, an IATP customer, was referred to the Makers program after receiving a Tech Kitchen demonstration of assistive technology (AT) that could potentially benefit her work as a Food Services Director. As part of her job responsibilities, Coleen repetitively slices and chops a variety of different textured foods. These repetitive movements aggravate the arthritis in her wrist and hand resulting in increased pain, discomfort, and decreased job performance.
There are limited commercially available AT options for a chef with arthritis who must cut food safely and comfortably. Most adapted knives are not designed for commercial food preparation as they do not provide quality blades and handles strong enough for constant usage. After several unsuccessful trials with a variety of existing adapted knives, the Makers program designed and developed an adapted chef knife with a high-quality blade. The purpose of the design is to reduce the joint tension and pain experienced at the wrist during cutting tasks.
The design of the adapted chef knife was carefully considered to accommodate safe handling with grip and forearm leverage, structural stability, and durable material that could withstand commercial kitchen use. The adapted chef knife was created by first pressure forming and then filling a mold using Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved materials, resulting in a clean, non-porous surface.
The Makers’ pressure former used in the design process is manufactured by Mayku, an international company located in London, that specializes in desktop pressure forming machines used by many different types of businesses all over the world. Mayku recently highlighted this user design story which has provided users in multiple countries access to the instructions and open source files located on the Makers website so that they can freely create this adapted chef knife for others with a similar need. Visit Mayku to read more on the story regarding the adapted chef knife.