Pneumatic mobility device wins design award

A pneumatic patient transfer device that assists at-home healthcare workers has bagged this year’s National James Dyson Award.

Developed by RMIT University students Fergus Davidson, Maireid Carrigg and Maneet Singh, the AirLift provides a safe way for individual healthcare workers to reposition patients.

Davidson said, “A spike in demand for at-home care, alongside an under-resourced and rapidly aging workforce is making community healthcare work increasingly dangerous. The design came to us during a camping trip when inflating a dry bag. Realising the potential, we modified an inflatable lounge so that it could comfortably reposition a human, which served as our initial proof of concept.”

Once tucked under the patient, AirLift can be inflated using a remote-control pump, which fills the inner bladder with air and lifts the patient off the bed.

Placing a layer of air between the patient and the bed reduces the force required for repositions, minimising the risk of injury to the healthcare worker from strain.

AirLift can switch between three key patient movements — sit up, roll over and translate — which can be controlled using the remote control. A removable cover can be replaced to meet hygiene requirements.

As winners of the award, the AirLift inventors secure AU$9000 in funding to take the idea to the next stage of its development. The team plan to manufacture a functional prototype, as well as assessing and improving the sustainability of the design.

Davidson said, “We see the James Dyson Award as a huge opportunity for emerging designers and engineers. It gives the next generation a platform to showcase our enterprise and creativity. We are honoured to be recognised in this year’s awards.”

The national winners were chosen by an external panel in collaboration with a Dyson engineer. The judges gathered to review the entries submitted from university students and graduates across the country, before selecting the Australian winner and two runners up.

Becki Penfold, Design Manager – Hair Care and National James Dyson Award 2022 judge said, “The James Dyson Award aims to ignite young people’s interest in design and engineering, challenging them to not only think about solutions to real and relevant problems but to pursue them. Every year we receive incredible and creative entries that have the potential to solve national and local issues. This year’s Australian entries were no different. AirLift is a creative solution to a problem of increasing importance, and I look forward to seeing how the product develops.”

This year, entries in Australia were judged by: Councillor HY William Chan, Young Australian Designer of the Year 2021 — Good Design Awards, Forbes 30 Under 30 Architect and Urban Innovator and Councillor at the City of Sydney; Lachlan Bradford and Robbie Hicks, Funny Business podcast hosts; and Ryan Tilley, 2019 James Dyson Award Australian National Winner and Founder of Gecko Traxx.

Chan said, “It’s inspiring to see fellow young Australian designers and engineers shaping meaningful solutions to act on their vision for a better world. The winners of this year’s James Dyson Awards have showcased the power of empathetic and dignified design in responding to the needs of key workers in our local community, particularly in health and aged care.”

The James Dyson Award 2022 National Runners Up

Runners up in this year’s competition were Wound, a non-invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation device that helps stop internal bleeding, and Frankie Chair, a functional mobility chair.

Wound

Developed by Kathy Ky, University of New South Wales, Wound is designed for emergency trauma, to help rapidly stop uncontrollable bleeding until the patient arrives at the hospital. Through electrical nerve stimulation, the device sends a signal to the Vagus Nerve between 1–5 times per second. Upon stimulation, the spleen will rapidly increase the production of blood clotting factors at the site of injury, forming a natural ‘plug’ that stops bleeding in under a minute.

Frankie Chair

Invented by Carla Pelligra, Swinburne University of Technology, Frankie Chair aids with key mobility challenges and includes a pressure sensor which can alert the carer if the individual has left the chair, helping to monitor wandering in those who have dementia. Additionally, the chair incorporates a tilt mechanism, allowing the base to tilt to a 20-degree incline to help users go from sitting to standing. The chair can adjust to the needs of the user (eg, lengthening or shortening the legs).