Mizu Laboratory, 3D printed, assistive devices, self-help, elderly, arthritis, disabled, inclusive design, ミズラボラトリ, 自助具

INCLUSIVE DESIGN
インクルーシブデザイン　（生活支援、介助器具）

The outcomes of our R&D activities on inclusive design have guided us towards developing assistive devices for the elderly and individuals with disabilities. Thanks to the recent advancements in 3D printing, we can now swiftly transform ideas into tangible prototypes and evaluate them. Our products are showcased at Shapeways

   ミズラボラトリはインクルーシブデザインアイテムの開発をしています。その成果として生活支援、介助分野で役立つグッズを発表致しました。最近の発展著しい３Ｄプリンティング技術を利用して、アイデアを直ちに形にし、評価検討し、ご提供することが可能になりました。製品はShapeways（米国）のWebサイトでご覧いただけます。（ 製品の一部には日本の伝統模様および名前を使用しています。）

SHOP SITE(Click the shop image)
Shapeways : https://www.shapeways.com/shops/mizulabo

 How to get the 3D printed assistive gadgets
1.Click the product image you like.
2.Go to the shop and find your favorite.
3.Get your item.

３Dプリントアイテムの入手方法
1.ご覧になりたいイメージをクリック
2.ショップに行って、好みのアイテムをチェック
3.入手する

 "Shippo", Input Assist Device

 手指の不自由な人のために開発した入力補助器具。簡単に装着・脱着でき、軽くて便利です。パソコン、スイッチ等の指入力に使用できます。

 "Shippo” is the tool for tapping keys of PC, remote controller, etc, and is not a young fox demon of animes. The input by fingers is one of daily actions. Therefore, if people have disabilities, it makes them feel uncomfortable. This item is very helpful for tapping keys and is very easy to wear. The name “Shippo”, meaning a seven treasure in Japanese, is that of the Japanese traditional pattern. It has a history of more than one thousand years.

2) "Higaki", Cap & Tab Opener

 手指の不自由な人のために開発したオープナー。ペットボトル、缶ビール等のキャップ、タブを開けるのに便利です。

 "Higaki” is the tool helping easily to remove a cap or tab from bottles. When the gripping is hard, it smoothly assists you with low physical effort. Because it has the unique decorative handle offering the comfortable holding gesture that makes it more effortless to grip. The name “Higaki”, meaning a fence of cypress in Japanese, is that of the Japanese traditional patterns. This pattern has a history of more than one thousand years.

3) "Seigaiha", Pinch Tool

 手指の握力が弱い人のために開発したオープナー。スライスハム等の真空包装を開ける際、小さな開け口を挟み、フィルムを引き剥がすのに役立ちます。

 ”Seigaiha” is the tool for peeling a lid film from vacuum packages by pinching and pulling. It is hard to open a lid of the packages by fingers if you have muscle weakness. No more asking for help. The tool has the unique decorative handle offering a comfortable holding gesture that makes it more effortless to pinch. It assists you with low physical effort. The name “Seigaiha”, meaning blue sea waves in Japanese, is that of the Japanese traditional design. This pattern originates from the Persia and has a history of more than one thousand years.

4) "Asanoha", Self-Massage Tool

 手足のマッサージ用に開発したマッサージ器具。手で握ったり、足裏で 踏み込んで使用します。疲れたり、手足がだるい時に使用すると結構効きます。自分流にやってみて下さい。ただし、強い圧力を加えないように注意してください。

 ”Asanoha” is the tool for stimulating pressure points of a hand or foot. It is effective for relaxations pressing the reflex areas of palm and arch of the foot. The name “Asanoha”, means a hemp leaf in Japanese, is that of the Japanese traditional design. This pattern has a history of more than one thousand years. In using as a self-massage tool, please use a comfortable pressure. Don’t apply too much pressure.

5) Writing Assist Device

 筋力低下等の機能障害でペン筆記が困難な場合でも簡単に装着して使用できる筆記補助具です。装着できるペンは以下のものに限定しました。
 　　　　使用ペン：Zebra New Hard BN-5200
ペンを装着するチャック構造を簡略化できるためです。8.5mm径以上のペンは装着できません。筆記操作は手首の平行移動と僅かな回転で行います。

 This is the tool for helping people write with a ballpoint pen. Handwriting is daily activity, but it is hard for people with a disability. This item has a light weight and is easy to put on. It is recommended to be used together with “Zebra New Hard BN-5200” ballpoint pen. (For the sake of simplification of a chucking method, we limited the device for one kind of pens.) Put the pen into the chuck by pushing. Mount them on 2D (Index) and 3D (Middle) finger. Can operate with lateral motion and slight rotation of a wrist.
Caution: The use of pens with diameter of more than 8.5 mm will cause damages of the chucking parts. Zebra New Hard BN-5200 is available on Amazon and etc.

6) "Tap Assist", Finger Input Device

 筋力低下等でパソコン・リモコン等のキー入力が難しい場合に便利な入力補助具です。軽く、脱着もスムーズです。"Shippo" をより軽量化したものです。デザインはFibonacci数からヒントを得ました。

 The device for tapping PC keyboard, remote controller, etc. The finger input is daily activities. Therefore this causes a decrease of QOL (quality of life) for people with disabilities like muscle weakness. It is the excellent input device because of being light and easy to put on. The circle design was inspired by the Fibonacci number. Please refer to the photos in use.

7) "Ampersand", All-In-One Opener

 筋力低下等で通常のオープナーが使い難い場合に便利なマルチオープナーです。ビンの王冠、ＰＥＴボトル等のキャップ、缶のプルタブの開栓はこれ一つでＯＫ。持ちやすい掴み方で自由に掴んで使用できます。３つの開栓機能を最小サイズでシンプルにまとめた結果、この形になりました。

 Unlike common openers, the unique shape helps to handle comfortably, so that the elderly and people with muscle weakness can use it smoothly. The name “Ampersand” comes from the shape, “&”. Both simplification and integration of three functions resulted in this shape.

8) Eating Utensil Holder

 食事をサポートする補助具です。スプーンやフォークをホルダーに嵌めて、中指に装着して使用します。スプーンの柄が３ｍｍ程度の厚みのものであれば、一般的なものが使えます。軽量で着脱も簡単です。

 The holder for people who have difficulties to hold a spoon or fork by reason of muscle weakness and so on. Gripping is not required for holding because the side clip of the holder tightly holds the spoon. Able to use a standard spoon with thickness of around 3mm (handle). The method for mounting on 3D (Middle) finger is shown in the video of shop site. The holder fits around fingers and is fixed securely to the hand. The holder can accommodate a variety of finger because of the unique shape, and is also easy to put on. 

9) Espresso Cup

 コーヒータイムをサポートするカップです。取っ手を握らなくてもＯＫ。親指をホルダーに挿入し、掌で支えて使用します。

 This espresso cup has a unique shape designed for the elderly. Can hold it with a thumb and palm comfortably. The cup handle has the shape that fits around the palm so as to be held securely on the hand. The volume is 50ml. "Easy for the elderly" means "easy for all the people“ . Every person can enjoy a coffee break with this smart cup.

10) Chopstick Helper

 箸を使う食事をサポートする自助具です。箸を持たなくてもＯＫ。箸使いに不慣れな人にも役に立ちます。ホルダーを人差し指の根元に置いて人差し指と中指を動かして箸を開閉します。標準的な太さの箸（８ｍｍ程度）に適合します。

 Eating with chopsticks might be fun in sushi restaurants. The adorable chopsticks helper makes it comfortable even on your first try. Look at the video at shop site that shows how easy it is. Fits most standard chopsticks (diameter of around 8mm ). Designed for the elderly and the people who loves chopstick cuisine. "Easy for the elderly" means "easy for all people“.

11) Cup Holder

 紙コップがオシャレになるホルダーです。優しさをイメージした連続ラインで構成しています。筋力低下でコップを保持し難い場合でも、親指と掌でホルダーを保持できるようにハンドルを大きくしています。7oz（容量200ml 程度）の紙コップに対応しています。

 This makes you awesome in a coffee break. The continuous line shape represents adorable and endless images. The handle is big so as to enable to hold with a thumb and a palm even for the people with muscle weakness. Suitable for 7oz ( 200ml volume ) paper cup. Assistive devices must be "cool" so that anyone can love them..

 12）Writing Holder



 軽くて着脱が簡単。色々なペンが使えます。筆記具を持ち難い場合の筆記補助具です。使用可能なペンの種類が多くなりました。右利き、左利きどちらでも使用できます。ラバーグリップのあるペンがより安定します。

 It is hard for people with disabilities to use writing tools. This can be helpful for writing with a ballpoint pen. It is not only light and easy to put on, but also is possible to use many types of pens. Mount the pen in the holder chuck. Attach it to the index or middle finger. Can use both right and left hands. It is recommended to use the pens with a rubber grip. Can easily operate with lateral motion and slight rotation of your wrist.

13）BallpointAssist

 新しいデザインでより軽く、使いやすくなりました。脱着が簡単で、使い易い筆記補助具です。ゴムグリップの付いた市販のボールペンが使えます。胴体幅が１０～１１ｍｍ程度のボールペンを使ってください。１１ｍｍ以上になるとチャックが破損する恐れがあります。

 This self-help device can be helpful for writing with a ballpoint pen. It is not only light and easy to wear but also is possible to use the commercially available pens. Mount the pen in the holder chuck and attach to your finger. Can easily write with lateral motion and slight rotation of your wrist as shown in the video of shop site. Also adaptable both to right and left hand. It is recommended to use pens with rubber grips. Caution: The use of pens with diameter of more than 11 mm will cause damages of the chuck.

14) MöbiusAssist

 タッチパネル用の入力補助具です。パネルの表面保護のため、ホルダー先端に保護シートを貼っています。

 The device for operating a smartphone or tablet screen. It is quite helpful for the people who feel hard to operate the smartphone with fingers. But that’s not all. This device might be convenient to operate the phone with oily fingers when eating potato chips. It involves the Möbius strip that makes you comfortable in attaching and operating it. The device tip has a particular shape that enables natural input operation, so that it will make you feel smoothly. Caution: On account of protecting the screen surface from scratches, covering the tip with a soft film is recommended! (Please refer to the photos and video in shop site in using conductive fabrics together with conductive adhesives.)

15) Cutlery Holder 

  マイスプーンが自分のスタイルで使えるホルダー

食事等をサポートする補助具です。普段のスプーンやフォーク等が使え、着脱も簡単です。自分に合った持ち方ができます。

  Holder for a cutlery. Useful in use of a spoon, fork etc. Different ways of holding are possible, and many types of cutlery can be used. A simple but functional shape satisfy different kinds of needs.

Cautions: Please not to open a tip of the holder more than 10 mm.

 16) Comfortable Cup Holder



   ティータイムをおしゃれにするカップホルダー
ループ形状のカップホルダーです。底面の直径が５０～５５ｍｍ程度の汎用カップ（紙コップ等）を装着し、握力が弱い場合でも自由に保持できるようにデザインしています。

  The stylish and lightweight holder for a paper cup or the cup with bottom diameter of 50mm to 55mm. (Ex. 7oz ( 200ml volume ) paper cup). Fit not only for the elderly and people with poor grip strength but also for a lover of unique 3D printing. The shape is inspired by one-line drawing.

17) Chopstick Holder

箸使いをサポートするカワイイ自助具です。箸使いに不慣れな人も容易に使用できます。標準的な太さの箸（９ｍｍ程度）に適合します。

This adorable chopsticks helper makes it comfortable to eat with chopsticks even on the first try. Designed for all people who loves chopstick cuisine. Easy for all. Fits most standard chopsticks (a maximum diameter  of around 9mm ).

18) Pen Holder



このペンホルダーは色々な持ち方に対応出来るようにデザインしたもので、市販のボールペンを使うことができるものです。SARASA（ゼブラ）、Z-GRIP（ゼブラ）、FRIXION（パイロット）など胴体幅が１０ｍｍ程度でラバーグリップのあるものなら使用できます。

This versatile assistive tool is designed to accommodate various gripping styles and can be easily adapted to fit commercially available pens, such as SARASA (Zebra) and Z-Grip (Zebra), as well as any pen with a body diameter of approximately 10mm and a rubber grip. The new device design enhances its user-friendliness as a pen holder.