AirRise

What it does

For elderly individuals with sarcopenia who still have some leg strength but struggle to stand, an assistive device can help them rise more easily. For those unable to stand at all, another device can assist caregivers in transferring them with less effort.

Your inspiration

A family member of mine recently experienced age-related physical decline, making it difficult for them to stand or walk. After switching to a wheelchair, they became dependent on it and stopped trying to stand, leading to further muscle loss and reduced mobility. This device aims to help those who still have some ability to stand and walk stay active, maintain leg strength, and avoid overreliance on assistive tools. The idea was inspired by raised toilet seats, which ease standing by increasing seat height.

How it works

AirRise consists of the following components: buckle, ladder lock, air pump, handle, buttons, straps, and an airbag. When an elderly user has difficulty standing, the air pump is activated to inflate the airbag. As the airbag expands, it lifts the user’s hips, making it easier to rise. After standing, the pump switches to deflation mode, removing air from the airbag to reduce its volume and prepare it for the next use. If the user needs to transfer to a higher seat, the airbag can be inflated first to raise the user. Then, a caregiver can simply hold the handle and slide the user sideways—eliminating the need for lifting.

Design process

The initial concept was to use an inflatable airbag to help elderly users stand up more easily. We first designed a single large airbag, but found that when deflated, it obstructed the user's walking. To address this, we redesigned it into two smaller airbags positioned under each side of the hips. This design allows for greater thigh movement during walking. Additionally, considering that some elderly users wear belts, we modified the attachment method between the straps and airbags to use detachable buckles. This way, if the user is wearing a belt, the airbags can be directly attached to it without needing the straps.

How it is different

This product incorporates unique features not commonly found in other assistive devices on the market, such as: Modularity: Users can freely use it in any area. If a part breaks, only the specific component needs to be replaced, avoiding the need to discard the entire device. Lightweight: Designed to be easy for elderly users to carry without causing significant burden. Compact Storage: The device can be reduced in size for convenient storage and greater mobility freedom.

Future plans

The project will begin by applying for patent protection to secure the intellectual property rights of the innovative concept and design. If a company expresses interest, the patent may be licensed or sold. Alternatively, we may proactively approach companies that may be interested in this technology to initiate collaboration. During the partnership, product prototypes will be developed jointly, followed by user testing and survey evaluations targeting individuals with sarcopenia. If the results indicate high overall user satisfaction, we will proceed with the company to bring the product to market and begin commercial production.

Awards