Accomplishing Technology Transfer: Case-Based Lessons of What Works and What Does Not
By Lane, Joseph P., MBPA; Leahy, James A., BS; Bauer, Steven M., PhD; Assistive Technology, Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 69-88Publication Date: Summer 2003
Paper presents lessons drawn from technology transfer case studies that address the question: “What works, what does not, and why?” Each lesson highlights critical factors determining success or failure and is substantiated by case studies that exemplify the lesson. The case examples involve either the commercialization of prototype inventions or the acquisition of desired devices from other fields of application. Seven devices are used to illustrate technology transfer methodologies: (1) the Thronos Toilet Seat from Maddak, which features five handles added to the outer rim of a wooden commode seat for added stability, (2) the Coin-U-Later from PCI Educational Publishing Company, which was designed to help people with learning disabilities or cognitive impairments to learn how to count coin currency. The device consists of a metal box with six input buttons representing coin and dollar values, and a small liquid crystal display; it functions much like a standard calculator. (3) The Lids Off Automatic Jar Opener from Black and Decker, which is an electrically operated household appliance designed to help people open jars. The device is the size of a standard countertop coffee maker, and it utilizes a motor-driven gear system and a lid-engaging unit to break the vacuum seal and lid on a jar and unscrew the jar lid. (4) The EZ Pump Gas Pump Lever, which is a lever device that is used to activate a gasoline pump nozzle for those who have limited hand strength or those who experience pain when gripping objects, (5) the Kinetic Seating System, which is a dynamic posture system that seeks to extend the capabilities of current wheelchair seating systems by addressing the need for constant articulated motion, (6) the Powercheq Battery String Equalizer from Power Designers, which is a patented, battery management device developed for electric and hybrid automobiles that extend the life and range of deep discharge batteries, and (7) the PointSmart by Infogrip, which is a software mouse-driver that provides performance options for any mouse or pointing device. The authors contend that applying the lessons derived from the case studies should help to avoid common mistakes while increasing the likelihood of accomplishing the desired technology transfer outcomes.
Assistive Products Discussed: LIDS OFF JAR OPENER (MODEL JW 200)
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) (Website:http://www.resna.org)
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J46834
