Secondary Controls for Electric Wheelchairs

People use power chairs in pretty much all corners of the world. They can greatly improve the ease with which those who are mobility challenged can move around.

Power chairs have traditionally been battery powered. Gasoline powered wheelchairs have been tried, but for indoor use they are impractical. The engines can also get very hot and can be dangerous, so really battery powered wheelchairs are the only safe choice.

Using an electric wheelchair is in most cases done by a joystick that is attached to the handlebar of the chair. There are also other types of secondary controls available for those who can not easily operate the hand controls. Several head switch systems are available that allow the chair to be controlled by the head.

For those that can not easily move their head or those that find the head controls awkward, the Sip-N-Puff control has long been the only option. This control allows the user to control their chair by their breath. The ergonomically shaped mouth piece fits easily into the mouth and when the user breathes in or out the chair is activated. In addition to being used on wheelchairs, this type of control can be applied to other types of devices like computers. There is even a sail boat that has been configured to allow complete control by utilizing the Sip-N-Puff system. In addition to steering, the sails are also controlled with this system.

Recently a new type of control system has been developed. It is currently still in the testing stage, but this system allows the power chair to be controlled by the movements of the tongue. The occupant must wear a headset with two magnetic sensors that extend to the front of the mouth. A small magnet is then affixed to the tongue and the movements of the tongue can then be picked up by the sensor.

The reason the inventors decided to focus on the tongue is because it has a very good chance of retaining its ability to move, even in cases of severe disability. This is because the tongue does not communicate through the spinal cord, like the hands and feet do. Instead it is attached to the brain through a short cranial nerve. This means there is a very good likelihood that the person will be able to continue moving their tongue.

Like the Sip-N-Puff system, the tongue control system can be used to control computers or other objects as well and is incredibly accurate.

Testing is currently taking place for this system in Georgia. To learn more check out their news release.