Invacare NXT Generation NEXT User Manual

NXT™ Generation NEXT

User Manual

Paediatric & Adult
Folding Tilt Wheelchair

This manual msut be given to the user/care giver of the product.

Before using the wheelchair, read this manaul and save for future reference.

1

Table of Contents

Useful Symbols In This Guide 2
Introduction 3
Warranty Terms & Conditions 4
Limitation of Liability 5
Intended Use 6

Safety & Operating Limits 7-16

Weight Limit 7
Reaching For An Object From
A Wheelchair 7-8
Transferring To Another Seat 9-10
Tilting The Chair 11
Kerbs, Or Obstacles 30mm
To 50mm High 12
Steps, Stairs Or Obstacles Over
50mm High 13
Upward & Downward Slopes
(Operating Limits) 14
Summary Of Safety Instructions 15

General Descriptions 16
NXT™ Features 17

Use 18-24
Unfolding the

NXT 18-19

Folding the

NXT 20-21

Main Frame 22-27
Latch Style Swing Away
Hangers 22
Pop-up Hangers 23
Flip-up Individual Footplates 24
Angle Adjustable Footboard 25
Quick Release Axles 26
Flip Back and “T”- Armrests 26
Fixed Height, Removable 27
Armrests
Adjustable Height Flip Back 27
Armrests
Castors 27
Wheel Locks 27
Folding Back 28
Tilt Operation 28-29
Leverage Bar Operation 29

NXT Adjustments 30-33

Tilt Cable Adjustment 30
Backpost Adjustments 30
Armrest Adjustments 30
Castor Fork Adjustments 31
Wheel Lock Adjustments 31
Rear Axle Adjustments 32
Anti-tip Adjustment 32
Cleaning And Maintenance 33
Storage 33

Troubleshooting - Mechanical 34-35
Transportation 36-37
Product End Of Life 37
Contacting INVACARE 38-39

2

Useful Symbols

WARNING!

This symbol warns you of danger! Always follow the instructions to
avoid injury to the user or damage to the product!

EXPLOSION HAZARD!

This symbol warns you of an explosion hazard, an example of
which can be caused by excessive tyre pressure in a pneumatic
tyre!

• Always follow the instructions to avoid injury to the user or

damage to the product.

NOTE:

This symbol identifi es general information which is intended to
simplify working with your product and which refers to special
functions.

REQUIREMENTS:

This symbol identifi es a list of various tools, components and
items which you will need in order to carry out certain work.

TRANSPORTATION:

This symbol identifi es important information relevant to
transporting your wheelchair in a motor vehicle.

Useful Symbols In This Manual

3

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing your Freedom Designs, Inc. NXT™
wheelchair. The NXT™ combines state-of-the-art technology with
durablility and function to meet all of your changing needs. This
operating manual will provide you with a detailed guide for proper use as
well as instructions on the care of your new NXT™ wheelchair. Please
follow the instructions carefully, paying special attention to the ‘Safety
Precaution’ section.

It is important that you read the entire operating manual before operating
the NXT™. After consulting your operating manual, if you have further
questions, please contact one of our authorised dealers.

Note for Customers

INVACARE provides a wide range of wheelchairs to meet the
requirements of customers. However, the decision on the type of model
to be prescribed rests exlusively with experienced advisors.

INVACARE or its appointed representative shall not be held responsible
if a wheelchair is used that is unsuitable for the user’s level of disability,
if the wheelchair itself is incorrectly used or if a problem arises due to
poor maintenance.

The information set out in this manual may be modifi ed without prior
notice. This manual contains copyright information. All rights are
reserved. No part of this document may be photocopied or reproduced
without prior written agreement from INVACARE or its appointed
representative.

This manual gives details of all the options of the NXT™
wheelchair. It describes the options, operation and adjustments
that mey be required. However, your INVACARE retailer will be
able to give you further information and demonstration.

Introduction

4

Warranty Terms & Conditions

Standard INVACARE Terms

This is to certify that your wheelchair is warranted by INVACARE Ltd. for a
period of 1 year for parts, 2 years for hardware and frames.

1. Only INVACARE chairs purchased at full price are warranted against
defective workmanship and materials.

2. If a defect or fault is discovered the INVACARE dealer from whom the
wheelchair was obtained should be notifi ed immediately.

3. The manufacturer will not accept responsibility for damage caused by misuse or
non-observance of the instructions set out in the user manual.

4. During the period of the warranty any parts that have become
defective, due to faulty workmanship or materials, will be renewed or
repaired without charge by the INVACARE dealer.

5. The warranty will be invalid should any unauthorised alteration be made
to the equipment.

6. The purchaser’s statutory rights under the Consumer Protection Act are
not affected.

Warranty Terms &

Conditions

5

Limitation of Liability

Limitation of Liability

This warranty does not extend to the consequential costs from fault
clearance, in particular freight and travel costs, loss of earnings,
expenses, etc.

• Natural wear and tear.

• Inappropriate or incorrect use.

• Defective assembly or setting-up by the purchaser or third parties.

• Defective or neglectful treatment.

• Use of unsuitable spares.

6

Intended Use

The NXT™ manual wheelchair has been designed to provide mobility and com-
fort for persons with impaired mobility.

The wheelchair has been designed to be used by a seated user with a carer/
attendant in both indoor and outdoor environments.

The wheelchair has, in its standard format, been designed to accomodate
users who weigh up to a maximum weight of 91Kg (14.4 stone) for all sizes,
have all limbs intact and have suffi cent upper body strength to maintain a safe
position within the wheelchair without the addition of supporting aids.

Adaptations from the standard wheelchair format are available to
accommodate users who do not meet the above criteria but these will only be
considered after a suitable risk assessment has been carried out by the product
prescriber. For example, a user with either a full or partial amputation or other
condition, which affects the natural centre of gravity will need to have a stability
evaluation to minimise the risk of inadvertent tipping.

The wheelchair should only be used in accordance with the safety advice given
within this user guide. Failure to follow the recommended advice within this user
guide could lead to personal injury.

No claims are made that the product will medically improve the circumstances
or condition of the user.

Intended Use

7

Safety & Operating

Limits

Safety & Operating Limits

Stability and Equilibrium

To ensure that the wheelchair remains stable and is manipulated correctly,
you must always maintain good equilibrium. Many actions cause the user
of a wheelchair to reach out, lean over or move about within the wheelchair
and outside it. These actions will change your centre of gravity and weight
distribution of the wheelchair. Your wheelchair has been designed to remain
stable for normal everyday use if it is used correctly taking the precautions
recommended in this manual.

Weight Limit

The maximum user weight limit is 91Kg (14.4 stone) for all sizes and confi gurations.

However, the wheelchair user’s level of activity is important. For example, an
active user weighing 60Kg may subject the wheelchair to more stress than
a less active user weighing 90Kg. We recommend very active wheelchair
users to choose an appropriate design of wheelchair. Your INVACARE approved
distributor will advise you on the best model.

Reaching For An Object From A Wheelchair

The limitations on reaching out from a wheelchair shown in Figure 1 have been
produced using a representative sample of wheelchair users. Only the arms
should extend beyond the seat of the wheelchair. For safety reasons, the body
and head should remain within the wheelbase.

Position the castors to give the longest possible wheelbase (Figure 2). Lock the
manual brakes on the rear wheels.

8

Safety & Operating

Limits

Leaning Forwards

(Figures 3, 4, 5)

Move the wheelchair as close as possible to the object you wish to reach. Only
reach out for objects that are within arm’s length in a normal sitting position.

Leaning Backwards

(Figures 6, 7)

Move the wheelchair as close as possible to the object you wish to reach. Only
lean back for objects that are within arm’s length in a normal sitting position.

9

Safety & Operating

Limits

Transferring To Other Seats

Leaning To One Side

(Figure 8)

This is a dangerous manoeuvre as it is easy to tip sideways.

To move up to an object and lean over, you must use the castors as a means of
keeping the wheelchair stable and balanced.

For your safety, it is essential to be in the correct position.

Do not try to pick something up from the fl oor if this would upset your balance.

It is possible to move from and to a manually propelled chair if the
following guidelines are followed. INVACARE does not reccomend any particular
method for transferring: This is the responsibility of a medical advisor who should
consider your level of disablity and type of wheelchair. When transferring, either
to get out of or return to your wheelchair, make sure that the gap between the
two seats is as small as possible.

(Figures 9, 10)

!

!

10

Safety & Operating

Limits

!

!

When transferring, either to get out of or return to your wheelchair, make sure
that the manual brakes on the rear wheels are on to prevent the wheels moving

(Figure 11).

Turn both castors towards the seat to which you wish to move. Lift up the
footplates (Figure 12).

Do not stand on the footplates.

If possible, swing the legrest hangers out to the side to clear the passage
(Figure 13).

If possible, fl ip up the armrests on the side between the wheelchair and the
other seat (Figure 14).

Note: Never stand on the footplates (Figure 15).

11

Safety & Operating

Limits

!

!

Tilting The Wheelchair

To tilt the wheelchair (Figure 16), a second person should grip the handle

fi rmly. Warn the user of the wheelchair before tilting it and remind him/her
to lean backwards. Check that the user’s feet and hands are clear of all the
wheels. Push smoothly until the wheelchair is at the point of equilibrium. At this
stage, the helper will feel a difference in weight distribution. Turn the wheelchair
in the direction required and negotiate the obstacle.

Lower the front of the wheelchair smoothly, holding the handles fi rmly. Do not
lower the wheelchair suddenly for the last few centimeters before returning to
the normal position, this may cause discomfort.

12

Safety & Operating

Limits

!

!

Kerbs, Or Obstacles 30mm To 50mm High

Method 1 - Negotiating the obstacle forwards

(Figure 17)

The helper should tilt the wheelchair until the castors have passed over the
kerb. Move the wheelchair forwards and lower the castors gently onto the
pavement. Push the wheelchair until the rear wheels touch the kerb. Lift and
push until the rear wheels have mounted the kerb. Do not just lift by the handles
on the backrest.

Method 2 - Negotiating the obstacle backwards

(Figure 18)

The helper should stand on the pavement and turn the wheelchair until the
rear wheels are against the kerb. Tilt the wheelchair backwards to the point of
equilibrium and, in a continuous movement, pull the wheelchair until the rear
wheels mount the kerb and pass onto the pavement. Do not lower the castors
to the ground until you have pulled the rest of the wheelchair suffi ciently far to
clear the kerb.

Note: Folding backs should always be checked to ensure they are engaged.