# Modification of Group 3 Power Wheelchair and Automated Patient Transfer Bed for Compatibility

> **NIH VA IK1** · VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION · 2022 · —

## Abstract

All manual lifting and repositioning techniques have a high-risk for injury to caregivers.
Work-related back pain and injuries are a widespread epidemic and due in large part to
repeated patient handling activities, including lifting, transferring, and repositioning tasks. Bed to
chair and chair to toilet transfers are consistently ranked among the most physically stressful
tasks required of patients and caregivers. Mechanical transfer assist devices were found to
reduce the risk of injury to caregivers. Consequently, the United States (US) government
passed a bill in 2006 requiring all hospitals to establish a no manual lift policy for staff members
who interact directly with patients to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
The most commonly used lift technologies for dependent transfers of patients include the
overhead ceiling lift, the floor-based sling lift, and the Gantry lift. While these devices allow for
safer transfer of patients, they do so with shortcomings. Overhead sling lifts require extensive
installation that may not be suitable for homes or buildings with structural deficiencies or a low
ceiling. Floor-based sling lifts have several issues with caregiver manipulation and ease of use.
Gantry lifts are very difficult to move and store due to their size. Research has demonstrated
that people with mobility impairments and caregivers both desire new, powered devices for
safer and more comfortable and independent transfers.
 The AgileLife Patient Transfer and Movement System (PTS) developed and
commercially deployed by Next Health LLC is an integration of several assistive technologies
that together automate the transfer of immobile individuals to and from a hospital bed and a
wheelchair. The PTS includes a hospital bed, an integrated and detachable
wheelchair/commode chair, a docking system, and a transfer ‘sheet’ that moves the individual to
and from the bed. However, the existing PTS has not been designed to work with a power
wheelchair.
 The goals of this project will be to iteratively design, prototype and test a modified PTS
and group 3 power wheelchair so that the PTS and power wheelchairs could be compatible,
allowing it to be used by a greater number of people with physical disabilities. This will be
accomplished by refining design specifications with a focus group of end user including group 3
wheelchair users and caregivers. Then developing a prototype and testing it for functionality and
safety. User testing will then be conducted by having group 3 wheelchair users and caregiver
pairs trial the prototype and complete usability questionnaires. A physical therapist will also rate
the safety of the transfers during the user testing.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10624205
- **Project number:** 5IK1RX003206-03
- **Recipient organization:** VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
- **Principal Investigator:** Jonathan Duvall
- **Activity code:** IK1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-10-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10624205

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10624205, Modification of Group 3 Power Wheelchair and Automated Patient Transfer Bed for Compatibility (5IK1RX003206-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10624205. Licensed CC0.

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