Project Description
Design a flotation device for children with cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy who receive aquatic physical therapy treatments that allows full range of movement and provides adequate head and neck support.
Skills Applied
Design Research, Brainstorming, User Testing, Prototyping
Context
Northwestern Design Thinking and Communication 1 (Winter 2017)
Gabriela Marquez, Aquatic Physical Therapist, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago
Team: David Cheng, Yi Qiao
Final Design
The Wave is a foam flotation device with two platforms that connect around the neck; secured by a strap around the torso.
Left to right: frontal platform, posterior platform, neck connector, straps around torso
The Wave is shaped organically and can easily adjust to fit the natural curvature of the body, hence the name “The Wave.” Depending on whether the user prefers to swim on his stomach or back, the device should be oriented with the frontal platform in front of the face or behind the head, respectively. The user should fasten the torso strap across his chest and tighten to fit securely. The Wave provides support for the head with the frontal platform. While swimming on the stomach, the user positions the frontal platform in front of the face and the posterior platform on the back. To swim on the back, the user simply rotates the device to position the frontal platform behind the head and posterior platform on the stomach.
Current flotation devices used by Shirley Ryan AbilityLab do not provide enough support for head; many patients have weak necks and restrict full range of movement.
Results
Our product met all of our design requirements and specifications. The Lycra® fabric took on some unexpected water which weighed the device down. We decided to add more polyethylene foam after this test. The final prototype was sent to the aquatic physical therapists at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab with the disclaimer that the device had not yet been tested for safety.