WYOMISSING, Pa. — Students in the Penn State Berks mechanical engineering and occupational therapy programs have collaborated each year since 1995 to create devices to meet the needs of individuals with physical challenges as part of the Pfreimer Adaptive Equipment Project (PADEP).
This year, nine student teams collaborated to create equipment that meets the needs of individuals with physical disabilities. Each team was granted a $200 budget to purchase the materials necessary for their prototypes. The students presented their interdisciplinary projects at the end of the fall 2023 semester, which were then assessed by a panel of faculty members.
The Black Team presents an assistive car door handle
Team members: Kyle Haddock, Natalie Lawton, Bailey Levan, Kevin Ramirez, Autumn Steiner and Brynn Voshell
The Black Team created an assistive car door handle designed to help people with limited mobility to open and close car doors. In its pitch, the team cited more than 3 million wheelchair users in the United States who would benefit from their design. The assistive car door handle design is intended to be an attachment that fits to any car door frame. It then latches in place, assisting users who struggle sitting from a standing position or vice versa. The student team created its prototype using found materials as well as 3D-printed ones and estimated the production cost to be just under $13 and that mass production of the device could decrease manufacturing costs.
The Brown Team presents the Reel-y Adaptive Fishing Reel
Team members: Dale Belville, Ainsley Butler, Maddy Hawley, Nolan Kratz, Seth Williams and Lauren Wright
The Brown Team presented the Reel-y Adaptive Fishing Reel, which would allow any fishing rod to be modified to help individuals with manual dexterity difficulties. The team shared that the product would be ideal to help people with physical weaknesses, such as stroke and multiple sclerosis, the geriatric community, and those who need to conserve energy due to chronic conditions.
The Red Team presents portable assistive toilet handrails
Team members: Broderick Bolyn, Anthony Carpenter, Jonathan Haraschak, Isaiah Johri, Tatiana Martin, Lucas Smith and Skylar Zaleski
The Red Team’s portable assistive toilet handles are a universal tool that can attach to any toilet bowl, offering added stability to people with limited strength in their lower extremities as they transition from standing to sitting position. The team's portable assistive handrails boast a universal fit, and their size lends easily to portability. The device is also easy to clean and inexpensive to produce, unlike competing products. The team estimates that the device would be inexpensive to manufacture.
The Orange Team presents the Universal Angled Handle
Team members: Kathryn Kundrat, Ariella McNally, Joseph Pasterski, Braden Ritter, Zachary Schlegel and Nathan Vreeland
The Orange Team designed a Universal Angled Handle, which helps users grip utensils and acts as an assistive device ideal for individuals with arthritis or wrist injuries. In their presentation, team members shared that the Universal Angled Handle features a built-up angled handle with a comfortable grip that allows users to keep a neutral wrist position, requiring less dexterity and less wrist motion than a regular utensil.
The Yellow Team presents Button Buddy
Team members: Kalea Belville, Megan Goodhart, Kayln Hess, Sabiha Kermalli, Mason Lazarony and Mikayla Ramsey
The Yellow Team proposed the Button Buddy, a utilitarian product that fits well within the rise of the global adaptive clothing market. The Button Buddy is designed with geriatrics in mind and other individuals with decreased motor control and functioning in their hands and fingers. One end features a loop that helps users secure buttons, and the other end features a hook that helps users move the zippers up and down.
The Green Team presents Buddy Bench
Team members: Jacob Christman, Alexander Rivera, Kohlby Rollman, Nicholas Rutkowski, Aysia Weiler and Alexa Zimmerman
The Green Team designed its device to make showering easier and safer for the elderly and those with limited mobility. People who have suffered from stroke, balance issues, weakness in their lower extremities, and aging will benefit from this product as it not only allows them to stay seated while bathing but also brings all their shower supplies closer with help from its rotating flexible caddy location.