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The Human Engineering Research Laboratories
houses one of the most complete wheelchair testing facilities in the country.
The facility is able to conduct a majority of the ISO or ANSI/Resna testing
which is required for FDA approval. Both manual and powered wheelchairs can be
tested. All manner of destructive and non-destructive testing is available.
Testing is conducted on equipment that has been designed and built on site and
has become the standard for testing the world round. Tests range from
comparative measurements of turning radii, wheelchair size and seating
dimensions to strength testing of armrests, footrests and seat backs to
endurance testing of motors, axles and transmissions. Each endurance test
subjects the device to three to five years of normal use in a fraction of the
time. Not only can the standard tests be run, specialized testing is also
available. All test equipment is calibrated on a regular basis to insure
accurate data. Innovative approaches to gathering data through electronic and
electro-mechanical devices guarantees results that are complete and reliable.
Not only has HERL contributed to the design and construction of wheelchair testing equipment, they are represented on numerous standards committees that draft new and better wheelchair standards. As the world of wheeled mobility expands to meet current and future needs of the population, so must the standards be expanded and revised to provide safe and reliable products to the users who depend on them. Newer materials and designs that offer safer, lighter and more dependable devices require that standards be constantly updated. The current wheelchair test standards are covered in a two-volume set. Each item is constantly monitored for its acceptability as a viable standard and suggestions for revision are noted and offered at the standards meetings.
RERC
on Wheeled Mobility
RERC on Transportation
Safety
The authority for RERCs is contained in section 204(b)(3) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 762(b)(3)). The Secretary may make awards for up to 60 months through grants or cooperative agreements to public and private agencies and organizations, including institutions of higher education, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations, to conduct research, demonstration, and training activities regarding rehabilitation technology in order to enhance opportunities for meeting the needs of, and addressing the barriers confronted by, individuals with disabilities in all aspects of their lives. An RERC must be operated by or in collaboration with an institution of higher education or a nonprofit organization.
RERCs carry out research or demonstration
activities by:
(a) Developing and disseminating innovative methods of applying advanced
technology, scientific achievement, and psychological and social knowledge to
(1) solve rehabilitation problems and remove environmental barriers, and (2)
study new or emerging technologies, products, or environments;
(b) Demonstrating and disseminating (1) innovative models for the delivery of
cost-effective rehabilitation technology services to rural and urban areas, and
(2) other scientific research to assist in meeting the employment and
independent living needs of individuals with severedisabilities; or
(c) Facilitating service delivery systems change through (1) the development,
evaluation, and dissemination of consumer-responsive and individual and
family-centered innovative models for the delivery to both rural and urban areas
of innovative cost-effective rehabilitation technology services, and (2) other
scientific research to assist in meeting the employment and independent needs of
individuals with severe disabilities.
Each RERC must provide training opportunities to individuals, including
individuals with disabilities, to become researchers of rehabilitation
technology and practitioners of rehabilitation technology in conjunction with
institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations.
The Department is particularly interested in ensuring that the expenditure of
public funds is justified by the execution of intended activities and the
advancement of knowledge and, thus, has built this accountability into the
selection criteria. Not later than three years after the establishment of any
RERC, NIDRR will conduct one or more reviews of the activities and achievements
of the Center. In accordance with the provisions of 34 CFR 75.253(a), continued
funding depends at all times on satisfactory performance and accomplishment.
The RERC grant award program for the RERCs, of which there are 13-15 Centers, is administered by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Department of Education, Washington, DC.
Disclosures Filed:
1. GameCycle : An Upper Body Exercise System for People with
Disabilities. Inventors:
2. Adjustable Arm-Cycle for People with Disabilities. Inventors:
3. Joystick with Compensation Algorithms. Inventors:
4.
Light Weight Wheelchair Training System. Inventors: Rory Cooper, Ph.D., Emily
Zipfel, BFA, Chris Willems, MBA, Cleopatra Nacopoulos
5.
Head Position Monitor. Inventors: Rory Cooper, Ph.D., Donald Spaeth, Ph.D., Karl
Brown, BS,
6. Remote Controlled Retractable Cane for the Visually Impaired. Inventors: Rory Cooper, Ph.D., Songfeng Guo, Ph.D., Garrett Grindle, BS, Bruce Blasch, Ph.D.,Vincent Ramsey, Ph.D., Akio Kita. VA 06-079, no patent filed.
7. Data Logger Safety System. Inventors: Dan Ding, Ph.D., Rory Cooper, Ph.D., Elizabeth Leister, M.S. VA 05-149, no patent filed.
Patents Filed:
1. Collapsible Folding Manual
Wheelchair. Inventors:
2. Variable Compliance Joystick with Compensation
Algorithms: Rory Cooper PhD,
Donald Spaeth PhD, ATP, Songfeng Guo PhD, U.S. patent 0066072-17 pending.
3. Video Exercise System for Persons with Lower Extremity Impairment:
4. United States Patent Application “Wheelchair Push Rim”, Application #: 10/697, 404, Filed October 29, 2003. Inventors: Christopher J. Willems, Mark Baldwin, MS, Michael L. Boninger, MD, Rory Cooper, PhD.
5. Personal Vehicle. Application #: 11/901,137, Filed November 8, 2007. Inventors: Jonathan Pearlman, Ph.D., and Rory Cooper, Ph.D.
6. Improved Caster and System for Mobile Device. Application#: 60/903,256, Filed February 22, 2008. Inventors: Rory Cooper, PhD, Mark McCartney, and Andrew Kwarciak M.S.
Patents Awarded:
1. United States Patent Application “Wheelchair Hand Rim”, Patent #: 6,276,705, Issued
August 21, 2001. Inventors: Mark Baldwin, MS, Rory A. Cooper, Ph.D., Michael L. Boninger, MD, Albert Vangura, MS, and James Ster.
2. United States Patent Application “Oblique Angled Suspension Caster Fork for Wheelchairs”, Patent #: 6,892,421 B2, Issued May 17, 2005. Inventors: Rory A. Cooper , Ph.D., William Ammer, BS, Mark McCartney, Corey Blauch, BS., Application Number: 60/338,577.
Home | Introduction | Research | Laboratories | Publications | Education | Affiliations
Standards & Patents | Personnel | Activities | VA WheelchairInfo | Newsletter