how-to build: extended straw and adapted spork

Kaitlyn Stanley, MOTSJennifer Kray, MOTS

Purpose-

Straw extension will allow client to independently self-feed without the anxiety of spasms during task

The straw has a check valve to hold liquids in place during resting phase of swallowing

1 - nylon ¼ x ¼ hose barb $1.49 1 - valve $1.69 1 - 3/16 stainless steel ball bearing $18.95

Purchase in pack of 100

1- 3ft. 4x3/8 plastic hose $0.75

1- plastic water bottle $5.96 1- water bottle holder $4.97 1- ¾ in. assembly kit of Loc Line $18.95 1- Loc Line pliers $15.09

Total cost = $67.85

Extra materials needed:

Drill press

Step drill bit

Nylon hose barb Holds ball bearing in place and allows liquid to flow

through Valve Connects to nylon hose barb and assists in holding

ball bearing in place Ball bearing Suction the valve to block liquid from traveling back

down the straw Plastic hose Allows the flow of liquid

Water bottle Hold liquid

Water bottle holder Keep water bottle stable while attached to wheelchair

Drill press and drill bit Drill hole into top of water bottle cap

Loc Line Stabilizes straw

Loc Line pliers Adjust length of line lock

Nylon Hose barb, valve, and plastic hose can be found at: K&K Hardware

1818 Grant Street

Bettendorf, Iowa 52722 Loc Line material can be found at: http://www.loc-line.com

Stainless steel ball bearing can be found at: www.amazon.com

Boca Bearing Company

Water bottle and water bottle holder can be found at:

Wal-Mart

3101 West Kimberly Road

Davenport, Iowa 52804

Step 1-

Lay out materials

Step 2-

Hold nylon hose barb with the nozzle facing down

Insert ball bearing into basin of nylon hose barb

Ball bearing should fit loosely within nylon hose barb

Step 3-

Connect the valve by twisting it into the nylon hose barb

This will secure the ball bearing

You should no longer be able to hear the ball bearing shift

Step 4-

Attach plastic hose to the nylon hose barb

Be sure to push tubing all the way to the base of the nylon hose barb

Step 5

Adjust loc line as necessary by using loc line pliers

Step 6

Attach orange nozzle to the top end of loc line

Step 7-

Attach loc line screw to the bottom end of loc line

Step 8-

Place hose and loc line to the side

Step 9-

Grab water bottle

The following steps involve operating machinery that requires assistance and/or training

DO NOT use a drill press without training or supervision

Make sure to wear safety glasses at all times If you have long hair put back in pony tail STOP this process if you are unsure of your

safety

Step 10-

Attach step drill bit to drill press

Step 11-

Align bottle cap with the tip of step drill bit in order to drill a hole through the cap

Step 12-

Turn drill press on

Hold cap in place while slowly lowering the drill press

Stop drilling once desired hole width is achieved

Step 13-

Take plastic hose with valve side down

Step 14-

Without the cap on the water bottle, place plastic hose into the water bottle until valve reaches the bottom

Step 15-

Take water bottle cap

Run cap around plastic hose until it reaches opening of water bottle

Screw cap onto water bottle

Step 16-

Take loc line and guide straw through until it passes through orange nozzle

Step 17-

Connect loc line screw to water bottle by twisting until tight

Step 18-

Cut plastic hose as necessary

Purpose-

Client will be able to independently and safely self-feed

Block on spork will act as a safe guard to prevent utensil from being forced to the back of throat

1- Titanium spork $12.94 1- 2x3in. Acrylic plastic sheet $2.97 1- Epoxy glue kit $16.99 1- Piece of sand paper $3.49

Total = $36.39

Extra materials needed:

Drill press

1/16 in. drill bit

Saw

File

Titanium spork

To promote self-feeding

Acrylic plastic sheet

Acts as a block to promote client safety

Epoxy glue kit

Secure acrylic sheet to spork

Sand paper

Smooth edges

Drill press and drill bit

Drill hole into acrylic plastic sheet

Saw

Cut oval shape out of acrylic plastic sheet

File

Smooth edges of acrylic plastic sheet

Titanium spork: www.amazon.com Sold by Toaks Outdoor

Epoxy glue kit and sandpaper: K&K Hardware

1818 Grant Street Bettendorf, Iowa 52722

Acrylic plastic sheet: Home Depot

920 Middle Rd.Bettendorf, IA 52722

Step 1-

Lay out materials

Step 2-

Measure length and width of spork to determine appropriate measurements for acrylic plastic sheet

Spork measurements

▪ 6 ½ x ¼ inch

Step 3-

Sketch an oval shape onto acrylic sheet and cut out with saw

File edges to make smooth

Step 4-

Determine center of acrylic sheet

Make mark ¼ of an inch lower than center

Make sure mark measures horizontally to be the width of the spoon

▪ 9/16 in.

The following steps involve operating machinery that requires assistance and/or training

DO NOT use a drill press without training or supervision

Make sure to wear safety glasses at all times If you have long hair put back in pony tail STOP this process if you are unsure of your

safety

Step 5-

Stabilize acrylic sheet on drill press

Drill a single hole on the farthest part of the line on each end

Continue drilling small holes until you reach the center

Step 6-

Use sandpaper to smooth edges, if needed

Step 7-

Slide acrylic sheet onto spork

Acrylic sheet will fit loosely to spork

Remove top side of paper closest to head of spork

Step 8-

Use a box to stabilize spork

Sand paper around drill hole on acrylic sheet

▪ This will help the glue stick better to the acrylic

Step 9-

Mix epoxy glue following instructions on kit

USE GLOVES !

FOLLOW SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON KIT !

Step 10-

Carefully place glue around where the spork and acrylic sheet meet to seal drilled hole

Let stand to dry approximately 20 minutes, following kit instructions

Step 11-

Remove spork from box and hold from head of utensil

Carefully place glue along the acrylic and spork

Let sit to dry

Step 12-

Slide foam handle on for grip