Tampa, FL (Dec. 8, 2005) –  A revolutionary wheelchair that enables users to climb stairs, visit the beach, and converse at eye level with friends and colleagues can now be used by even more Florida residents thanks to the University of South Florida, College of Medicine, School of Physical Therapy.

The School's Physical Therapy Center is the only facility in Tampa Bay where non-military personnel can be assessed for and train on the iBOT power wheelchair.

 "The iBOT represents high technology that was not available to prospective clients in the Tampa Bay region," says Dr. William "Sandy" Quillen, director of the School of Physical Therapy.

Although assessment and training on the mobility system – made by Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Independence Technology – are available at James A. Haley VA Medical Center, that venue is limited to former military personnel.

 "This enables us to be on the cutting edge of what technological devices are available for custom wheelchairs," says Shayne Tarrance, the center's coordinator.

 "Its ability to climb stairs is very impressive," adds Thomas Saltzman, a physical therapist at the center.

 The iBOT motorized wheelchair can travel off-road over grass, gravel and sand.  In balance mode it rises up on two wheels, lifting users to a standing height.  Sensors and computers are designed to automatically adjust wheel position and seat orientation to mimic the principles of human balance.

 After patients contact Independence Technology to request an iBOT, they must go through several steps to ensure their suitability for the device, their safety, and the device's suitability for their needs.

That's where the physical therapists at USF step in, Saltzman says.
"Patients need to meet certain medical criteria as well as demonstrate a need for this particular device," he says.

 Full wheelchair and physical therapy assessments are done at the USF Physical Therapy Center, where patient strength, range of motion, balance and other attributes are measured.  The assessments can take up to 1-1/2 hours.

 A four-hour training session with an Independence Technology representative follows after patients receive a chair.  Sessions are held at the USF Physical Therapy Center, where stairs, ramps and other testing surfaces are readily available.

 The physical therapist then does a "driver checkout" to make sure the patient can handle the different modes of the chair and is safe to drive home with it.
 USF physical therapists conducted their first iBOT evaluation Nov. 29, with delivery expected in mid-December.

 

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Contact us to coordinate coverage of Tampa Bay's first patients receiving delivery of their new iBOT power wheelchairs.

 

Karen L. Shaw

(813) 974-4091