ETAC Turner Knee Block
A removable EVA foam block for an ETAC Patient Turner Pro to prevent the client’s knee from moving into the gap between the knee supports when being transferred.
The Challenge
Our client, assisted by his father, uses an ETAC Patient Turner Pro for chair / bed transfers within his home. As his condition has deteriorated over time this task has become increasingly difficult and painful as his knees are unstable and slip into the gap that exists between the leg supports on the equipment. We were asked by the OT if a knee block could be put into this gap to prevent this occurring. The equipment belongs to Mediquip so the solution would ideally need to be reversible if possible.
The following photo shows the ETAC turner as supplied.
The solution
Engineer Ian Brocket’s solution involved the fabrication of a bracket from aluminium mounted onto the main stem of the ETAC. The stem section allowed the bracket to be clamped by hand across its width and this provided a flat surface onto which a dense (EVA) foam material was fitted with 2 vertical fixings made of Acetal plastic. The EVA foam material extends forward between the existing leg supports and fills the gap. This was successful in preventing the client’s knees from entering the gap and we left it set up for the client to trial. There is scope for further modification if required.
The benefit
Transfers are now more comfortable.
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