“Can you create something to retract my oxygen tubing,” asked Austin’s grandfather as he entered hospice? His grandfather, like many disabled adults, struggled with his 50-foot oxygen tubing lying across the floor. Considering his inability to move around well, it created a walking hazard. After a few months researching, designing, printing, and constructing, Austin was able to create an oxygen reel for his grandfather. “The passion is deeper than just helping my grandfather,” said Austin Pollock. Austin’s grandfather taught him how to woodwork when he was in elementary school. Every summer growing up Austin would go to engineering weekends at his alma mater, Michigan State University. He is the reason Austin earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering at MSU. Austin’s grandfather sparked his interest in designing and inventing, but most importantly he taught Austin how to positively impact others. The passion goes beyond the medical device. Reel Free will positively impact people who are dealing with oxygen concentrator issues by taking one problem off their plate.
Reel Free is a class 1 medical device that retracts 50-feet of oxygen tubing with a simple to use remote control. Reel Free is like an automated reel-in garden hose, that reels in oxygen tubing, increasing user mobility and mitigates fall risk. Reel Free manages oxygen tubing, thus reducing excess oxygen tubing on the floor. The device increases the user’s mobility at home by containing the oxygen tubing and unreeling as the patient moves around. Due to many individuals limited mobility inside their home or assisted living facility, the mechanism features a remote controller to retract the tubing with a motor. It uses a patented system to prevent the oxygen tubing from tangling or compressing. It incorporates a sensor as a safety feature and the speed of retraction is adjustable with a controller. The product is placed near the oxygen concentrator and connects with a 360-degree swivel adapter.