Drinking aid for stroke patients
Every year 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke, that’s one person every five minutes. Initially 50% of people have problems with swallowing after a stroke (dysphagia), with a third suffering from aspiration which can lead to chest infections and pneumonia.
The risk of Aspiration can be reduced by changing the user’s posture to ensure that their head is tilted forwards when drinking. This causes the epiglottis to cover the larynx, helping to prevent any fluid from getting into the airways.
The mouth piece and fluid source only align when the handle is held in the correct position, causing the user to approach the handle in the appropriate posture, whilst the mouth piece allows personal control. The 500ml bottle sling has a one way valve for air to replace fluid.
1.One-way valve in base of sling replaces fluid with air as it leaves
2. Attempt to drink in wrong posture: no fluid will flow.
3. Attempt to drink in appropriate posture:fluid becomes available to user
Personal experience with stroke patients and recurring media coverage of care in hospitals initially sparked my interest in this project, which has furthered my attraction towards medical design. I find the most innovative work continually appearing in this area. Other areas of interest include film and television production design.
