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ProfhandTM brand story
Profhand™, a Japanese design and developed pedal wheelchair which signifies the collaborations between academic excellence and commercial innovations. The pedal wheelchair allows individuals with walking disabilities of various reasons to propel for ambulation with even weak leg muscles. Such is the basis of Profhand™ pedal wheelchair that helps sedentary individuals enhance mobility, exert greater independence, promote rehabilitations and pursue quality of life.
Father of ProfhandTM Pedal Wheelchair
Based on the principles of Neuromodulation, the pedal wheelchair was invented and developed by Visiting Professor Yasunobu Handa and his research team from Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan. With enormous efforts and time dedicated, the team has undergone numerous researches and testing throughout the product development process which yields encouraging results. This leg-powered wheelchair had been incorporated as part of the rehabilitation programmes for the hospitalised patients suffering from walking disabilities long before its availability in the market.
Professor Yasunobu Handa
Graduate School of Medicine
Tohoku University, Japan
Commercialisation of ProfhandTM
TESS Co., Ltd set up by Mr. Kenji Suzuki as a venture business to market locally Profhand™pedal wheelchair incorporating neuromodulation technology. Since its launch in 2009, Profhand™ pedal wheelchair business had been welcomed by the users. However, it had also been hit badly by the Great East Japan earthquake in 2011 where the manufacturing facilities were totally gone. Today, Harmony Hill International Co. Ltd., the manufacturing partner of Profhand™ in Taiwan not only contributes to the product continuation but also further its refinements and innovations. The collaborations are based on their shared philosophy of embracing challenges to bring about quality of life through continuous R&D and product improvements.
Since the first model around 80kg was made, ProfhandTM pedal wheelchair had undergone different models throughout its development journey. The current models are of 15kg (M) and 18kg (L).
Different models of ProfhandTM
Profhand’s frame is made from the ultra-light aluminium alloy which makes the pedal wheelchair sturdy, compact yet light in weight. Couple with its 360° tight turning capability within limited space, ProfhandTM has differentiated itself from any other wheelchairs. Currently, Profhand™ has accumulated 7 patents and 3 certifications of FDA (US), CE (Europe) and TGA (Australia) in realising the international standard of product quality. A rapid market expansion has taken place spreading across Asia, North America, Europe and Australia.
Neuromodulation Basis Principle
*The term neuromodulation ordinarily refers to stimulating neural pathways in the central nervous system with electrical or chemical stimuli to ameliorate a disorder, but ProfhandTM uses neither kind of stimulus. Pedals are installed in front, and the user pedals it like a bicycle to make the wheelchair move, and steers using a single control panel on the armrest. Pedalling backward makes the wheelchair go in reverse. Even users who can barely move one leg are eventually able to ride ProfhandTM.
How is a person able to pedal with weak muscles on one leg?
When we walk, (1)we move our arms and legs reciprocally without even thinking
about it. Neural networks known as ‘central pattern generators’ in the spinal cord control this kind of activity. (2)These spinal neural centres do not function correctly in a person with one-sided paralysis, (3-5)but pedalling with ProfhandTM stimulates the spinal cord centre and sends reflex signals from the normal leg to the paralyzed leg. (6)These commands call on primitive reflexes that develop when one is a baby.
Pedalling for a Quality of Life
The professional design of Profhand™ pedal wheelchair enables the sedentary users to become mobile and more out reaching. In this way, the rehabilitation progress yields unknowingly since significant leg muscles, eyes and brain training has been taken place while the users enjoying their rides safely and comfortably. Most important of all, the relationship fostered among users, families and caregivers are beyond words.
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World's most innovative pedal wheelchair designed and developed in Japan
Authorised Distributor (Hong Kong & Macau)
Email : hi@pedalwheelchair.hk | Telephone : (852) 5548 2307
Enquiry : +852 5548 2307
hi@pedalwheelchair.hk
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