ProspectIP Innovation Award winner
18th June 2010
PSK won the ProspectIP Innovation Award at the De Montfort University Business Venture competition 2010 for their Postural Support Chair for Children.
The postural support chair has been designed for children with non-degenerative conditions allowing them to better interact with their environment. The chair was designed to “grow” with the individual thus limiting the expense to parents and schools of having to provide new chairs as a child develops. On average a single child will require 3 new chairs while attending primary school at a cost of between £2000 - £2500 each.
Nick Rowan developed the chair to be modular to allow sections to be replaced if they become worn or damaged, and for alteration points to be easily accessible for carers. Also, the construction of the chair is autoclavable meaning it can withstand a hospital sterilisation process allowing one chair to be reused.
Dr Derek Palmer, Project Director and Head of Innovation at ProspectIP said “The postural support chair is a very worthwhile product that addresses and provides a solution to a current unmet need for children with non-degenerative conditions. The way the chair has been developed shows real innovation resulting in financial and quality of life benefits for the children and their families.”
Developed in conjunction with DEMAND, Design and Manufacture for Disability, Nick hopes the Postural Support Chair will be manufactured and available soon.