New assistive lift technology reduces risk of back injury for healthcare staff

Back problems are the most common type of work-related injuries amongst healthcare workers in Denmark. Lifting elderly people when they have fallen is a common cause for these injuries. For many years, the only solution has been heavy technical machinery such as lifts – at least until Anders Søndergaard, a mechanical engineer, came along.

A journey of development
It took the inventor a great deal of trial and error before he was able to create a battery operated, light, easy to use and mobile lifting chair to help people get back on their feet in a quick and safe manner.

Anders Søndergaard first notified the IAS about his idea in 2012, and the search for a suitable company to produce the chair began.

A dynamic partnership
The search led to the company Liftup A/S. Within half a year, the company developed the Raizer Chair, where the back is pushed underneath an injured person, and an engine elevates the person to a seated or standing position. With this, healthcare workers are not required to do heavy lifting. Anders Søndergaard decided to sell his invention to Liftup A/S for a one-time fee.

How did we help?
The IAS assisted and guided the inventor throughout the process and facilitated the final agreement between the inventor and Liftup A/S.