Invacare SHAPE SENSOR User Manual page 17

shoulders and hips. The client should have a natural
forward gaze and not be pushed forward in the
system (Figure 7).
FIGURE 7 ADJUSTING THE BACK ANGLE
Adjust the tilt angle to help balance the client and
to allow gravity to assist in the fitting process. The
clinician should be aware of the limitations that the
clients wheelchair may have upon the ability to tilt.
Functional issues such as forward reach and swal-
lowing must also be taken into consideration.
Center the clients trunk on the back surface
using the printed grid as a guide.
Check the clients trunk for rotation and the
shoulders for a level orientation. It is impor-
tant at this time to critically evaluate the amount of
force and support an individual will need to main-
tain the desired posture. Only gentle assistance
should be necessary to support the client during
the fitting phase. If significant force is necessary
then other intervention strategies should be con-
sidered.
12. Release the back sensor lever from its locked
position by pressing it in and moving it rearwards
into the plunger activation position.
13. Confirm the clients posture from the feet up to
the head.
FIGURE 8 TAKING THE BACK SHAPE
CREATING A SILHOUETTE
14. Take the back shape. Gently place one hand on
the individuals sternum while pulling the back sen-
sor lever all of the way forward. Tell the client they
may feel a slight pressure against their sacrum
(buttocks) during this phase (Figure 8).
15. Quickly, visually check to make sure that all of
the extended plungers are touching the client in
the areas desired. The clinician can manually ex-
tend or depress the plungers to fine tune the shape
(Figure 9). The area behind the scapula should
be flattened to reduce interference with up-
per extremity movement (unless protraction of
the shoulders is a desired feature) (Figure 10). If
for any reason the client's posture or the back's
shape does not seem right, then retract the lever
and start over. Make sure the shapes are right
before recording them.
FIGURE 9 EXTENDING THE PLUNGERS
FIGURE 10 FLATTENING THE AREA BEHIND
THE SCAPULA
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