Veterans Integrated Wheelchair Cleaning Kiosk (VICK)

At Richmond VA, the Office of Advanced Manufacturing (OAM) is turning challenges into practical solutions for Veterans. Brian Burkhardt, OAM site lead, and Seth Hills, clinical rehabilitation engineer, have been pivotal in the development of the Veteran Integrated Chair Kiosk (VICK).

This innovative wheelchair-cleaning device aims to enhance Veterans’ experiences at VA hospitals by ensuring sanitized wheelchairs are readily available.

A simple Idea with big impact

The VICK project began six years ago at Biloxi VA, where infection control nurse Kristin Mate saw a senior Veteran struggling to enter the hospital without a sanitized wheelchair. She realized the need for a reliable, automated wheelchair sanitization system. This simple idea evolved into the VICK project.

With the support of the iNET Spark-Seed-Spread innovation program, Mate connected with OAM’s engineering team. After the first prototype built by California Polytechnic State University was recognized, Burkhardt and Hills worked closely with Mate to refine the idea and create advanced prototypes. “Kristin was our customer on this project,” Burkhardt explained. “She brought the idea forward, and we helped transform it into reality.”

How VICK works

VICK is a large silver kiosk equipped with UVC lights to sanitize wheelchairs without using harmful chemicals. Veterans simply place their wheelchair inside, activate the user-friendly interface and the cleaning process begins. Two advanced prototypes have already been produced at the Richmond OAM site and several VA hospitals are showing interest in implementing this cutting-edge technology.

Mate continues to gather feedback from Veterans, many of whom are impressed with the system and have offered suggestions for additional features to improve it further. “The feedback has been incredibly positive,” she noted. “Veterans have suggested extra features that could make the kiosk even more useful.”

OAM’s design team is excited to support VA innovators like Mate. “Any VA employee with an idea is the project lead,” added Hills. “We provide the engineering expertise to make it happen.”

If you have an idea to enhance the care and services provided to Veterans, the Office of Advanced Manufacturing (OAM) can help turn that concept into reality.