Management of quadriplegic patients using head movement controlled wheelchair

Abstract

The health service sector has been continuously trying to improve the services given to the people in need of mobility assistance. As a result, more developers have been directed towards robotic wheelchairs. A robotic wheelchair is an intelligent wheelchair that has capabilities of navigating, detecting obstacles and moving automatically by utilizing sensors and artificial intelligence. Electric wheelchairs are designed to aid quadriplegic patients. These can be used by persons with higher degree of impairment, i.e. persons that, due to age or illness, can not move any of the body parts, except of the head. Medical devices designed to help them are very complicated, rare and expensive. In the following case report, a male quadriplegic patient had reported and was unable to move due to loss of sensation in his arms and legs. A head movement controlled wheelchair was designed to ease and enhance the quality of life.