Medical Power Chairs

Medical power chairs is just another term for electric powered wheel chairs or EPWs. EPWs use electric motors to move the wheels to help assist the disabled in maneuvering the wheelchairs. In essence, these EPWs provide independence to the disabled.

Usually powered by 4 or 5 amp deep-cycle rechargeable batteries, similar to those used to power outboard boat engines; EPWs  carry an on-board charger that can be plugged into a standard wall outlet, providing almost unlimited power and undisrupted mobility to the user.  

Medical power chairs are designed specifically for indoor use, outdoor use, or even both. Generally, they are prescribed for persons who have difficulty using a manual chair due to arm, hand, shoulder or more general disabling conditions, and do not have the leg strength to propel a manual chair with their feet. Other indications for prescription of medical power chairs are cardiovascular and dystrophic conditions. With medical power chairs, the user usually controls speed and direction by operating a joystick on a controller. In the absence of dexterity, other input devices are employed, such as chin controls and puff/sip scanners for those with C2-3 spinal cord lesions or head injuries (that is, the user blows into a tube located near the mouth, which controls the movement of the chair).

Because of these medical power chairs, mobility impaired people can indulge in activities most able people can do such as sports, independent travel and even participate in performing arts.