# Clinical Evaluation of Pneumatic Technology for Powered Mobility Devices

> **NIH VA I01** · VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION · 2022 · —

## Abstract

Over 240,000 Veterans with disabilities use mobility devices such as manual and power wheelchairs and
scooters, and this number continues to grow. Mobility devices have been described as the most enabling
technology a clinician can provide to a person with a disability. Appropriate mobility devices improve function,
independence, home and community integration; activity and participation; comfort; and quality of life. Yet,
battery-powered mobility devices (BPMDs) have many drawbacks. Despite advances in technology, batteries
are still hazardous to humans and the environment, heavy (which limits transportability), and incompatible with
wet or highly humid environments. Repairs to electrical systems and replacement of batteries are frequently
needed. These are costly and result in being stranded, missing medical appointments, missing work or school,
injury, increased pain, lower self-perceived health, skin breakdown, higher hospitalization rates, and reduced
community participation. Surveys conducted by our VA Center on Wheelchairs and Associated Rehabilitation
Engineering (WARE) identified alternative power sources as a top research priority of Veterans and providers.
 Compressed air is a power source that has many advantages over batteries, including safety to both
humans and the environment, lighter weight, waterproof nature, and lack of any electrical components which
can reduce the frequency of repairs. Two novel pneumatically-powered mobility devices (PPMDs), a scooter
and wheelchair, were developed and tested for feasibility with 107 users. The devices were lighter and had
sufficient driving range per charge for the average user. There were no safety or repair issues encountered in
the 11-week field test. Filling air tanks was also much faster than charging a typical battery. With pilot funds,
we then built two new scooters and two new power wheelchairs with longer driving ranges. We also developed
a portable backup tank system that allows us to refill or replace the tanks easily in the community.
 The purpose of this study is to clinically evaluate the impact of PPMDs on Veterans living in long-term
care facilities, and to obtain feedback from key stakeholders regarding the design and feasibility of use of
PPMDs in long-term care. Long-term care was chosen because it is an ideal setting for technology that is
water-proof (e.g., compatible with inclement weather, ease of cleaning, and resistant to incontinence and
requires less maintenance and upkeep. In Phase 1 (Technical), we will build 8 pneumatically-powered
scooters, 8 pneumatically-powered wheelchairs, 2 air filling stations with flow switches that measure air filling
time, 20 dataloggers that will measure battery charging time, and 20 dataloggers that will monitor activity
levels. Phase 2 (clinical evaluation) will comprise two aims. First, we will enroll 50 Veterans into a cross-over
trial in which they use a BPMD provided to them that is the same make and model as their own BPMD, an...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10454797
- **Project number:** 5I01RX002753-04
- **Recipient organization:** VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
- **Principal Investigator:** RORY A. COOPER
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2024-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10454797

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10454797, Clinical Evaluation of Pneumatic Technology for Powered Mobility Devices (5I01RX002753-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10454797. Licensed CC0.

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