A Brief History Of Electric Wheelchairs
The electric wheelchair is the greatest contribution from Canada to the entire world. In 1950, Dr. George Johann Klein developed this wonderful creation to make a revolution in the medical field. It was very useful at the time of Second World War and it helped to save many lives. Now different types of wheelchairs are available in the market. But all of them are derived from the old wheelchair which was invented several decades ago.
Dr. Klein integrated the opinions of patients, doctors, electronic engineers and scientists, before making this useful invention. His efforts were supported by the National Research Council of Canada, Canadian Paraplegic Association and the state’s Department of Veteran Affairs.
The wheelchair today is found useful not only by the invalids and quadriplegics; but also persons with cardiovascular irregularities. The models now available are meant for both indoors and outdoors. Some models are compact and portable with various features.
The electric powered wheelchair can be used not only by paraplegics and quadriplegics; doctors now advise patients with cardiovascular problems to use them. The wheelchair has become customized. It is equipped to be used both indoors and outdoors. Some wheelchairs are portable.
The main functions of an electric wheelchair are to help in movement. Besides going forward and backwards, movements like stretching and titling can also be done. Its movement is controlled by joy sticks; chin controls or sip/puff controls. We can control the wheelchair’s direction, speed or other parameters by these joysticks.
But electric wheelchairs are very expensive with the prices ranging between 1000 and 3000 dollars. Advanced models can cost up to 10,000! They may also require constant servicing. However, transporting someone on a non-powered wheelchair can be quite a task, so in cases where the person needs extra help from a motor to move along, an electric powered wheelchair is great to have.