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15-year-old develops innovative stair climbing device

Shared by Ana Ribeiro on 2020-07-29 21:47

About the solution

When she was 15 years old, Ruth Amos created the StairSteady as part of a school project. She was originally inspired to develop the StairSteady – a stair climbing device for the elderly or people with disabilities - for the father of one of her teachers. "It was initially for my teacher's father who'd had a stroke - we decided that we wanted to design something to help him because he'd been told to keep active but he wasn't able to", Ruth explains.

Contrary to other motorized stair climbing devices, like stair lifts, StairSteady is meant to help people with movement difficulties to stay active, working only as an aid, supporting the user while allowing them to remain active and independent. The device consist of a handrail that is fixed to the wall on either side of the staircase and a sliding handle that support the user while climbing up or down the stairs. The system contains a mechanism that allows the handle to slide when pushed but locks when weight is applied. This way, the user can strongly hold the hand with both hands apply force on the handle, using it as support to climb up the stairs but to prevent them from falling.

Ruth entered her invention for the Young Engineer for Britain competition and won first prize. Since then, she has created her own company and started comercializing the StairSteady, providing a new and cheaper offer for this market. "Our product will fit any width of stairs and it's also low-cost," she said.

Since its launch, the StairSteady has helped people with a wide range of needs, from people who suffer from stokes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons but also to help in short-term conditions, for people recovering from sports injuries or requiring rehabilitation.

Adapted from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7375486.stm
https://www.fortunamobility.com/stairsteady
https://newatlas.com/stairsteady-mobility-aid/13420/

More information: https://stairsteady.net/

https://youtu.be/E0AVkhL_g0Y

This solution shall not include mention to the use of drugs, chemicals or biologicals (including food); invasive devices; offensive, commercial or inherently dangerous content. This solution was not medically validated. Proceed with caution! If you have any doubts, please consult with a health professional.

DISCLAIMER: This story was written by someone who is not the author of the solution, therefore please be advised that, although it was written with the utmost respect for the innovation and the innovator, there can be some incorrect statements. If you find any errors please contact the patient Innovation team via info@patient-innovation.com

About the author

When Ruth Amos, from the UK, was 15-years-old she developed the StairSteady – a stair climbing device for the elderly or people with disabilities. In 2008 she launched her own company to comercialize the product

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