Occupational Health: Wearable Kneel-Sit Support Device for Manual Labor and Heavy Industry Applications

This CDC-developed technology describes a novel ergonomic device that supports a portion of the worker's weight while kneeling, relieving the knee pressure and pain common to many manual labor occupations. Unfortunately, many of the devices that have been used in the past to relieve pressure on the knees are bulky, heavy, and of questionable durability.

This device relieves pressure from the knees while kneeling, is easily portable, is attachable to the body, and can be moved automatically by the user without the user having to pick up the device and manually move it to a new position. The device is nonflammable and durable, so that it can be used in heavy industry and on horizontally constrained and uneven surfaces, and is comfortable to use while kneeling, thereby improving worker productivity.

Potential Commercial Applications:		Competitive Advantages:
Knee pain, low-back pain alleviation and prevention Improved workplace ergonomics Osteoarthrosis concerns, geriatric medicine applications and for aging populations in the workforce Occupations such as shipbuilding, welding, mining, plumbing, carpet and floor installation, construction, repair services, and auto body repair in which people must spend a considerable amount of time kneeling or squatting		Comfortable; relieves pressure from the knees while kneeling, increasing on-the-job comfort and worker productivity Device is extremely portable Easily attaches to a user's lower leg; allows for unhindered movement and ambulation Device automatically moves with the user; no manual readjustments or manipulations are required Durable and nonflammable Ideal for heavy industry applications; can be used on horizontally constrained and uneven surfaces

Development Stage:

• In situ data available (on-site)
• Prototype

Inventors:

Steven Wurzelbacher (CDC)  ➽ more inventions...

Ova Johnston (CDC)  ➽ more inventions...

Stephen Hudock (CDC)  ➽ more inventions...


Intellectual Property:
PCT Pat: 7,152,919 issued 2006-12-26
US Application No. 60/300,315 filed on 2001-06-22
US Application No. 10/481,532 filed on 2003-12-19

Licensing Contact:
Karen Surabian, J.D., M.B.A.
Email: karen.surabian@nih.gov
Phone: 301-594-9719

OTT Reference No: E-261-2013-0
Updated: May 29, 2014