ASA | Our Awards Programs

Judges for the 12th annual Universal Design Competition were: James Mueller, JL Mueller Inc.; Margaret Christenson, President, Lifease Inc.; James J. Pirkl, Transgenerational Design. The Universal Design Competition is coordinated by Promatura Group, Oxford, MS.

AGILENT INTERACTIVE HEALTHCARE SERVICES PATIENT MEASURING SET
Manufactured by: Agilent Technologies (a subsidiary of Hewlett-Packard), Palo Alto, California.
Designed by: NCV Research and Design Team, Palo Alto, California.
The Patient Measurement Set is a group of wireless, simple-to-use devices for measuring and transmitting vital signs from home to healthcare provider as part of the daily routine--a process that actively engages patients in their own care. The set consists of four devices: a weight scale, a blood pressure unit, a heart rhythm recorder and the Home Hub (the communications center for the set). Data are automatically sent from each of the first three wireless devices to the hub, which sends the data via telephone lines to the patient's healthcare provider's computer system. To measure weight, the patient steps on the scale, which has an extra-wide platform and a handrail for steadying. To take blood pressure and pulse, the patient slides a cuff onto the arm, adjusts the fit with a Velcro tab and pushes the button on the unit. To measure heart rhythm, the patient slips an expandable watchband onto the wrist and pushes the button on the device.

Tapisom Design Aquatex is a carpet textile made from 100 percent nylon with a polyvinyl chloride (pvc) backing. This compact, patterned textile is designed to provide assisted living environments with an impervious flooring material that is residential in character and does not hinder mobility. Other features include Scotchgard stain protection and Sanitise bacterial protection.

Manufactured by: Physician's Technology LLC, Monroe, Michigan.
Designed by: Design Central, Columbus, Ohio.
The MedLite is a medical device that relieves minor muscle and joint pains and improves superficial cirulation. It delivers photothermal energy in the infrared light spectrum, and the device is small, lightweight and designed for comfortable use. The claims are that the MedLite produces relief from acute and chronic pain and accelerates healing.

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Bronze Award

Lightweight and durable Allegro Cookware offers safety and function for cooks of all ages. Square-shaped tops form pour spouts, while ergonomic handles and lids lock at the corners for safe, balanced handling. Steam vents and recessed lids, which hold up to 1 1Ž2 cups of liquid, catch boil-overs and prevent them from spilling onto the stove. The vents also work as built-in colanders for straining liquid from the pots.

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Honorable Mention

HANDY BIRDY/MINNY BIRDY
Designed by: Tripod Design, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
The Handy Birdy and Minny Birdy are bird-shaped universal writing tools for right or left-handed people who have reduced grip strength or limitations in fingertip, joint or normal hand function. The pens accommodate both large and small hands.

SPRING CHAIR AND OTTOMAN
Designed by: Brian Donnelly, Davis, California.
An attractive chair for indoor or outdoor use, the Spring Chair has two important features. Its extended arms make sitting-down and standing up easier and its gentle spring-action motion, which is integrated into the frame of the chair, provides a stable, safe rocking motion.

PROTECTAHIP
Manufactured by: Plum Enterprises Inc., Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
ProtectaHip is a protective undergarment developed to reduce hip fractures. Constructed of soft, durable cotton-knit fabric, the undergarment contains panels that hold protective pads. These energy-absorbing pads, made of extremely dense, closed-cell material, are engineered specifically to absorb and dissipate the shock of a fall.

FILTER CASE FOR SINGLE-LENS REFLEX CAMERA
Designed by: Houhei Musha and Naoki Yaso, Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
This product is a case for storing filters for the single-lens reflex camera. It is clear, easy to open with one hand, lightweight and stackable. While simple, the product demonstrates the functional application of universal design.

ATHLON IBC2 EXERCISE BIKE Manufactured by: Athlon Fitness, Elverson, Pennsylvania.
Designed by: Strategix ID, Bozeman, Montana.
The sleekly designed IBC2 has a patented suspension and resistance system for a low-impact yet effective workout. The stationary bicycle has a wide, stable base and wrap-around handlebars with easy-grip surfaces designed to promote a neutral shoulder position. The oversized, wide handlebars allow multiple hand positions and provide support while the user is riding, mounting and dismounting.

STUDENT CATEGORY

Gold Award

PENTARAY FIVE-WHEELED POWER SCOOTER

The PentaRay Scooter is a highly maneuverable yet stable scooter. The turning radius is smaller because the drive wheels are moved forward under the seat. The tiller (steering mechanism) is curved to provide more room for the knees, and there is extra space under the seat for feet. For people who have difficulty controlling their legs, thigh rests help keep legs comfortably within the protective frame of the scooter. The two-tone upholstery and convenient storage bags in each arm add a distinctive, sporty appearance.

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Silver Award

The RealChair is a simple wheeled chair whose braking system holds the chair in place when someone pushes on the armrests while standing up or sitting down. The metal-frame chair is designed to fit under tables so the user may sit closer to them, and the chair's castors move easily on either carpeted or hard-surface floors. The armrests extend forward the full length of the seat to encourage proper and easy placement of the hands when standing up.

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Bronze Award

The Tee Planter is a device that allows golfers to plant tees and golf balls on the ground without having to bend over. The planter attaches to the end of a traditional golf club. The ball and tee load into a funnel at the base of the device and are held securely by foam from above. As the tee and ball are pressed into the soil, a plastic elbow flexes, compressing the foam onto the ball. Once the pressure is removed, a gap is created between the foam and the ball due to the slow recovery of the foam, and this gap allows the Tee Planter to be extracted. The device also can be used to recover the ball from the cup, again eliminating the need for the golfer to bend over.

The Orthopedic Ambulator is a shoe designed for individuals who experience swelling of the feet from diabetes or other conditions. The toe and tongue of the shoe fold out from a pivot at the end of the toe. This creates a large open area where a patient can place his or her foot inside the shoe rather than having to slip the foot into it. The outer sole is elevated one inch above the ground to insulate the foot from the cold ground and to keep the foot away from moisture. The shoe is fastened with a simple loop-and hook-system that is both practical and stylish.

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Honorable Mention

The Genie is a new product concept, a portable electronic mail key and letter opener that allows one-handed access to the mail box and easy opening of the mail. The electronic key interacts via radio-frequency technology with a mailbox that dispenses mail as a vending machine might. The letter opener device allows the user to open letters with one hand by channeling the letter into a cutter that slits the letter open. The Genie can be worn as a pendant or on a belt clip.

Designed by: Manuel O. Saez, University of Bridgeport, New Haven, Connecticut.
The Smart Mirror is a design concept that helps compensate for blind spots around a car. The mirror uses four sensors mounted outside the car to send data to an on-board computer that processes the information and provides a "bird's eye" view of other vehicles surrounding the driver. The image showing the location of other vehicles relative to the driver's car is displayed beside the rearview mirror.

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