The icare Foundation has forged a new $500,000 funding partnership with loop+ to develop an innovative app for improving health outcomes for people living with spinal cord injuries.

The fund will go into developing a prototype that will be piloted at an NSW hospital spinal unit.

The platform loop+ features a wheelchair sensor mat that continuously measures pressure, position, and general activity throughout the day – data which can be accessed by the wheelchair user, their carers, and clinicians 24/7 via a mobile app to monitor and prevent common health risks, including pressure sores, as well as help promote healthy wheelchair habits and reduce the acceleration of scoliosis and respiratory issues.

“We know that over 85% of wheelchair users will develop a pressure injury in their lifetime,” said Barney Smith, interim GM of the icare foundation. “icare’s Lifetime Care Scheme currently cares for almost 390 people living with a spinal cord injury, and we’re always looking for new ways to achieve the best possible outcomes for our participants. Our goal is to help to accelerate early-stage innovations from prototype into real technologies that will improve quality of life for people living with spinal cord injuries and empower them to take control of their health and return to their communities sooner.”

“The platform aims to assist both clients and allied health professionals to significantly improve the quality of the care provided and manage the risk of health issues such as pressure wounds,” said Kath Hamilton, CEO of loop+. “As a remote-care monitoring platform, it translates and tracks care plans into the home, supporting wheelchair users and their families every day.”