Siplify

How might we expand the capabilities of adaptive athletes who feel constrained by life with quadriplegia, and in doing so give people a feeling of independence.

Siplify stays with the athlete, remaining close to their chest and mouth.

The result is a safer, more stable interface for all sip-n-puff technology-enabled equipment. This solution also saves time for facilitators responsible for transferring people into the equipment.

History

Sip-n-Puff technology allows people with quadriplegia to sip and puff into a tube to control connected gear. Today's Sip-n-Puff gear includes wheelchairs, computers, kayaks, hunting equipment and more. Recently at the University of Utah, engineering students teamed up with The Gapp Lab (therapeutic games and apps) to create an adaptive 'sit-ski' controlled by Sip-n-Puff technology. They call it the Tetra-Ski.

Opportunity Discovery

In speaking with facilitators who were responsible for transporting and transferring skiers with quadriplegia from wheel chairs to sit ski's, a valuable insight emerged. Most time was spent preparing people and their equipment.

I decided to design a quick release system to save time for the facilitators. This adaptable mount removed the steps of switching disposable Sip-n-Puff straws. This solution also kept the Sip-n-Puff straw more stable eliminating the need for straw adjustments.