A study on the foldability of adjustable-axillary crutches

• Main Authors: Que, Mary D., Samaco, Mary Jo M., Sy-changco, Sharon J.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1997
• Subjects: System analysis; Crutches; Orthopedic apparatus; Production engineering; Design, Industrial; Engineering
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/9158
• Institution: De La Salle University

This paper presents a study on the foldability of adjustable-axillary crutches. A need of the proposed product was established by conducting surveys and interviews among the Filipino patients who are using crutches. The three main complaints of respondents were the unavailability of foldable adjustable-axillary crutches, hard underarm, and hard handgrip bars. To aid the group in understanding more about their problems, reading materials were gathered and interviews were made with physical therapists, doctors, and nurses. The data included the types of walking aids available in the market, how they function, their advantages, and disadvantages, among others. The methodology on how the proposed product will be designed was planned in a logical manner considering the different factors pertinent to the study, namely, related literature, the complaints identified in using crutches, the integration of the anthropometric data into the design, the proper selection of material, and product testing. There were various theories behind the present axillary crutches but only those that were applicable to the new design were considered. These included the mechanical considerations in the design, ergonomic principles for the underarm and handgrip bars, and the proper usage of crutches. Application of the design theories was integrated to make the foldable adjustable-axilliary crutches possible. Alternatives for the folding mechanisms were proposed through the proper selection of materials and the compatibility of such mechanisms to the objectives set by the proponents. After which, the framework alternatives were defined. Since it is made to be foldable, the number of cute and where the cuts should be placed were also evaluated. In the desire to answer the secondary complaints of the respondents, different alternatives for the handgrip, underarm bar, pad, cover, and cord were likewise individually assessed. Among the alternatives available for the design of the proposed crutches, the best were chosen using several