Electrical equipment to lift forearm to assist feeding

A feeding device for motor neurone disease patients was required by a local hospital. The device needed to be able to be used by the patients either standing, sitting or lying down and the physical input required to operate the device had to be kept to the minimum.

The design uses the patient’s arm as the linking mechanism, using a cable to pull the wrist up towards the shoulder. The tow line is within a flexible outer tube connected to a power unit with electronic control of position and direction, driven by a battery powered electric screwdriver. This compact unit may be carried by a shoulder strap, or placed on adjacent table top.

Trials of this have been most encouraging.

North Hertfordshire