Anyone who has used a powered wheelchair with an elevated seat knows that the design has its limitations.  Elevation can be very slow, the power used by the elevation mechanism can cause the chair to crawl along at a snail’s pace, and sometimes the power chair locks out altogether while you’re driving it.  Then there’s that disconcerting wobbly feeling, just like sitting atop an unstable piece of scaffolding as you move along whilst elevated.

New technology

At last it looks as though the days of the problematic elevating chair could be numbered.  Hi-tech company, Quantum Rehab have produced a new power chair system called ‘iLevel’.  The new system allows seat elevation of 10 inches in a mere 24 seconds – the industry standard is currently 45 seconds.  This is clearly a notable improvement, but that’s not all.  Once you’re elevated, you can now drive your power chair at a sensible walking pace both indoors and outdoors, and the chair’s built-in intuitive stability function means that the wobble is finally history.  The system works by automatically stabilising the caster arms whilst still allowing the suspension to climb thresholds, etc, without pitching, even on a ramp of 7 degrees.

Users with very high-end complex rehab requirements are catered for, too.  The iLevel power chair provides elevation while still allowing advanced functionality; recline, power tilt and an elevating foot platform are all included.  The ability to drive at a sensible speed whilst being fully elevated opens up a whole new world for users.  Social interactions are now much more easily possible; in-crowd visibility is increased, you can ‘sit’ at high top-tables in bars and effectively walk shoulder-to-shoulder with your friends when out shopping.

The iLevel powered chair is also interfaced with Quantum Rehab’s brand new Q6 2.0 powerbase.  This offers users a single-stage gearbox, six wheel independent suspension, together with a 6mph maximum speed.

In conclusion

Quantum Rehab’s iLevel powered elevator chair offers wheelchair users a practical and safe alternative to the unreliable, slow and wobbly option currently available.

Image source:  quantumrehab.com