Students Working to Improve Independence for Those with ALS

We are always encouraged and impressed when we hear stories of student researchers diligently working to help improve the lives of individual with quadriplegias and individuals with debilitating diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We stumbled upon a very uplifting story out of Washington State University where a student bioengineering team has designed a mattress specifically to help those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis get more comfortable and restful sleep.

The students call their invention the Zephyr Mattress, and it includes numerous pressure-sensitive oscillating cells designed to produce different surfaced and varied degrees of firmness.  The design is still in its testing stages, but the team soon hopes to obtain a patent for the mattress and start a company.

Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) knows first-hand what it is like to have an idea that helps others.  We are now considered a leader in ALS assistive technology, providing ALS communication and environmental control options for individuals with all levels of disease progression. Our signature autonoME is a custom environmental control unit and speech generating device with voice assistive technology. What makes the autonoME such a popular ALS communication device is the fact that it can be controlled using different input methods. Perhaps when an individual first begins to need voice assistive technology, they are able to use touch as the input method.  As the disease progresses, they may need to control the device using an alternate input method such as eye gaze or sip and puff. The autonoME is designed to accommodate disease progression.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, we welcome the opportunity to talk with you.  The ALS assistive technology available can significantly improve independence and communication with caregivers and loved ones.  Give us a call to speak with one of our product specialist today.