Either a wheelchair user or caregiver is required to perform by hands raising and lowering of the footrests that the user puts feet on the operation. When the wheelchair user tries to walk in a state in which the footrests are not raised, there is a risk of falling and stumbled to the footrests. We have developed the footrests of a wheelchair with a spontaneously operative system. The footrests can be down easily by a foot of a caregiver or user before the operation. When the user is raising the feet for getting off the wheelchair, the footrests are spontaneously hopping up by means of repelling force of the spring and returning to the original position. It is easily installed in any commercial wheelchairs without special maintenance. As a result of trial in our hospital per year, it is expected operation, to obtain good evaluation by both users and caregivers. While it is currently patent pending, we want to aim to commercialization.

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A prototype ion-conductive polymer actuator, which enables to displace its tip largely and respond to the commands quickly, was developed. We examined its characteristic utility to confirm the actuator clinically-applicable in practical catheters. The repetitive adsorption-reduction process using gold phenanthroline complex and sodium sulfate solutions was conducted on perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid membranes, which can lead to the uniform gold loading inside the membranes. The displacement length of the tip by bending the actuator was increased in proportion to the applied voltage, indicating that ions inside the processed gold-membrane electrolyte could transfer according to the ion-conductive principle. The tip of the actuator showed the maximum displacement of 7mm with a fast response time under the electric load conditions of 1.8V-120mA. When using the actuator under water, no air bubble derived from the water electrolysis was observed up to the 1.8V applied voltage. Electron microscope findings across the processed electrolyte suggest that large bending displacements might depend on the uniformity of the electrically activated points under the surface of the membranes.

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Incentive spirometer is a medical apparatus used in respiratory physical therapy, to recover early their respiration function and also to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications. The apparatus is utilized for patients who have difficulties in expectoration because suffering from asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In the therapy, sustained maximal inspiration method is employed. The therapy enables easily removal of secretions in the airways in addition to alleviating the symptoms of respiratory failure, by increasing the strength and endurance of respiration muscles such as the diaphragm and skeletal muscle.
During the therapy, the patients have to check the inhalation speed indicated on the apparatus in addition to measuring inhalation time. The therapy should be carried out properly with repetition and strength to achieve the expected result. However, in home therapy, the usage of the apparatus cannot be monitored by medical personnel. The wrong usage may worsen the symptoms. Furthermore, the medical personnel could not instruct patients about the proper exercise method.
In this study, a system for monitoring and recording the usage of the apparatus is developed. The system enables understanding the usage of the apparatus precisely to the medical personnel, even when the therapy is carried out at patients’ home.

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