CURRENT SOLUTIONS
Since arthrogryposis is a relatively rare condition and varies so widely, there are not commercial products
aimed at helping people with arthrogryposis to perform tasks independently. However, there are a number
of videos on the internet that show how some children with arthrogryposis have learned to dress and undress independently with the aid of a homemade device or by using features present in their environment.
While these solutions work well for their respective users, they are not functional for other children with arthrogryposis. One such device that influenced our design requires the user to stand between a set of hooks
on a door, shown in Video 1. See Appendix A: Background Research Summary for more information about
home solutions. However, this device is not usable by someone who uses a wheelchair for mobility.
Video 1: Hook dressing system
OUR DESIGN: THE DRESSYBARS
The DressyBars is designed to assist Elsa in putting on a t-shirt or polo shirt independently from her wheelchair. However, the original design opportunity discussed with the user and client requested a device which
incorporates both the actions of putting on and taking off a shirt. While the taking off mechanism is not
included in the design of the DressyBars, we developed a thorough design concept for a mechanism which
would , discussed in detail in the Limitations & Future Development section of this report. In the remaining
sections we discuss only the putting on mechanism, the DressyBars.
The design of the DressyBars consists of three major parts:
• The Bars: The bars are Elsa’s main way of interacting with the device. Her shirt is placed on the
ends of the bars, which also feature a stop to resist further motion of the shirt. Figure 5 shows
the bar assembly in detail.
Figure 5: The bars
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