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R1. User Needs and Design Input

Project Director: R.L Grubbs, MS

Co-investigators: Randy Bernard, MID

Industry Partners: Z Therapeutics, Sunrise Medical, Motion Concepts.

Timeline: Year 1 (12 months)

Specific Aims:
The purpose of this project is to incorporate the unique needs and desires of potential users into the design of new, wheeled mobility and seating devices. This information will feed directly into Project D1 that will develop three new devices: a dynamic seating system for persons with high extensor tone, an alternating pressure wheelchair cushion, and a durable, longer-lasting cushion appropriate for underserved or remote regions. As will be described in the Project D1 narrative, all products will be developed with industry partners who have agreed to commit resources toward these projects. Formal Product Design Partnerships will be established for each proposed project and will work until a commercially viable product is developed. In support of these development projects, stakeholder needs will be identified and incorporated into the design process. Specific aims of this research are to: 1) develop a focused need and design-based questioning protocol to elicit information about important design features of new devices; 2) organize and hold a series of design focus groups for each of the proposed devices; 3) identify and prioritize consumer and professional needs for each of the proposed devices; 4) develop design and performance criteria for each of the new products; 5) establish relationships with stakeholders that will permit periodic engagement throughout the design process; and 6) use findings from this project to guide other Center R&D efforts.

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