Development of an Electric Wheelchair with Support Functions to Improve the Lifestyle for Bedridden Patients

2010 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20500482
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
• Research Institution: Iwate University
• Principal Investigator: YUKAWA Toshihiro Iwate University, 工学部, 准教授 (10347205)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): OBINATA Goro 名古屋大学, エコトピア科学研究所, 教授 (50111315)
• Project Period (FY): 2008 – 2010
• Keywords: 福祉・介護用ロボット / 電動車椅子 / 自宅介護 / 介護入浴 / 簡易ベッド / 簡易トイレ / 自律移動 / トイレ清掃

Research Abstract

A new type of assistance system that can support bedridden patients to reduce the burden of nursing care has been proposed. The first component is an electric wheelchair that can be modified to function as a portable bed by reclining the seat. The second component is a new type of lift for carrying a patient from the wheelchair to the bath, or to a normal bed. The third component is a new type of bathtub made from vinyl cloth and supported by an aluminum frame and that can be moved easily. Generally, it is difficult for a caregiver to move a bedridden patient between the bed and the bathroom, and bathing patients who are lying in bed is one of the most difficult tasks for caregivers. Using the proposed items such as the wheelchair and the lift, caregivers can more easily bathe patients. Another task for caregivers is helping patients with incontinence. To help overcome this problem, we have designed a small mobile robot with a portable toilet to set up under the seat of the wheelchair. The robot can move inside the house after moving out from under the wheelchair.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] 磁石吸着型配管検査ロボットにおける磁石車輪と駆動系の設計 (2008)
  • Author(s): 湯川俊浩,岡野秀晴
  • Journal Title: 精密工学会誌 Vol.74, No.6 Pages: 598-603
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Mechanism Design of Pipe-Surface Inspection Robot with Magnetic Elements. (2008)
  • Author(s): Toshihiro Yukawa, Hideharu Okano
  • Journal Title: Int. Journal of Factory Automation, Robotics and Soft Computing Issue 3 Pages: 14-22
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Presentation] 台車ロボットの全方向自律移動制御システムの開発 (2009)
  • Author(s): 箱崎義英,湯川俊浩,下田翔
  • Organizer: 計測自動制御学会, 東北支部45周年記念学術講演会
  • Place of Presentation: 岩手大学(盛岡市)
  • Year and Date: 20090907-20090908
• [Presentation] 医療・介護・福祉ロボットの現状とこれからの課題 (2009)
  • Author(s): 湯川俊浩
  • Organizer: 東北・北海道肢体不自由児施設運営協議会
  • Place of Presentation: 岩手県民情報交流センター(アイーナ)(盛岡市)(招待講演)
  • Year and Date: 2009-09-04
• [Presentation] 生活支援機能を搭載した電動車椅子の開発 (2008)
  • Author(s): 湯川俊浩,大日方五郎
  • Organizer: 計測自動制御学会第51回自動制御連合講演会
  • Place of Presentation: 形大学工学部(米沢市)
  • Year and Date: 20081122-20081123
• [Presentation] 介護者の負担を低減する多機能型電動車椅子の開発 (2008)
  • Author(s): 大石雅彦,湯川俊浩
  • Organizer: 日本機械学会 ロボティクスメカトロニクス講演会2008
  • Place of Presentation: ビックハット(長野市)
  • Year and Date: 20080605-20080607
• [Remarks] ホームページ
  • URL: http://www.eng.iwate-u.ac.jp/jp/seeds/docs/11_toshihiro_YUKAWA_1.pdf
• [Remarks] 解説
  • URL: http://www.eng.iwate-u.ac.jp/jp/profile/yukawa_toshihiro.html
• [Remarks] 湯川俊浩,超高齢社会の到来と医療・福祉ロボットの現状,日本福祉工学会誌,10巻1号,pp.14,2008
  • URL: http://www.mech.iwate-u.ac.jp/~yukawa/index.htm
• [Remarks] 公開講座
• [Remarks] 湯川俊浩,最新の計測技術とその成果-ロボットからストレスまで-,平成22年度岩手大学公開講座 第30回工学部教養講座,2010.8.21, 2010.9.11,釜石市教育センター(釜石市),岩手大学工学部テクノホール(盛岡市)