FUSE R: Active wheelchair with rigid frame by MEYRA® and Rainer Küschall

In a groundbreaking partnership in wheelchair history, MEYRA® and Rainer Küschall, a Swiss wheelchair industry pioneer, have co-developed an active rigid frame wheelchair. The cutting-edge FUSE R marries Küschall's vast expertise with the pinnacle of MEYRA's recent research and development efforts.

Mr. Plaß, you describe the FUSE R as a world-first. What makes it unique compared to other active wheelchairs?

Tim Plaß: The FUSE R is the first active wheelchair developed jointly by MEYRA and Rainer Küschall, the Swiss pioneer in the wheelchair industry. This collaboration has never been seen before in wheelchair history. Therefore, the FUSE R combines the best active wheelchair features and developments in recent years from MEYRA and the know-how of Rainer Küschall.
Another unique feature is that the new frame design of the FUSE R allows quick, individual adjustment of seat height and center of gravity directly via the separate seat module. The highlight: The seat module is connected via only four fixing points, which can be released quickly and easily. Compared to competitor products, this is a very big advantage and time-saver.

Furthermore, hydroforming technology was used for the FUSE R, which makes the wheelchair frame extremely stable. A profiled tube was used as the basic material. But to make this even more visually appealing, an area in the front frame was additionally hydroformed. This allows for tighter bending radii as well as weight optimization and an increase in stability in a timeless modern design. For constant and perfect running characteristics, the front frame including caster wheels is directly connected to the drive wheels. In concrete terms, this means that the front and rear wheels are permanently connected to each other. This means that there is no need for readjustment of the side parts, brakes and chassis, and users have permanently perfect running characteristics.

Who is the FUSE R suitable for?

Tim Plaß: The minimalist and easily adjustable FUSE R is suitable for different clinical pictures. Due to its intuitive design and very low weight, the FUSE R is ideal for initial and follow-up fittings. All adjustments can be made via the seat module in just a few simple steps, thus ensuring rapid adaptation to a changing clinical picture or to changes in the user's own abilities in the wheelchair. If necessary, the steering and drive wheel size can be additionally adjusted. The long life-cycle is due in part to the high-quality materials and the modular concept. Individual components can be easily replaced.

The FUSE R is a very good aid, especially for cross-section fittings and for users without lower limb functions (lateral transfer, drive via the hand rims). Due to the optimized total weight, muscle diseases such as Becker-Kiener muscular dystrophy can also be optimally treated.

How was the FUSE R developed and what opportunities did the collaboration with Rainer Küschall open up for you?

Tim Plaß: The FUSE R was developed jointly with the combined knowledge of a development team from Switzerland and the development team from Kalldorf. Both have several years of excellent knowledge in the development of active wheelchairs.

Especially through the input of Rainer Küschall, we wanted and were able to break new ground to once again come a little closer to the perfect wheelchair. Rainer's motto is always: "If I can use the wheelchair, then just about anyone can." 

Meyra has been an exhibitor at REHACARE for many years. What is the importance of trade fairs like REHACARE for your company?

Tim Plaß: For years, REHACARE has been the world's largest and most international trade fair for rehabilitation and care. Especially for our partners at home and abroad, the trade fair is a guarantee to see and test all news, product highlights and presentations on only four days – and that at one location in Germany. After an extensive visit to REHACARE, you will have seen all the innovations and updates that the market has to offer. 

We at MEYRA are represented as an exhibitor every two years with a very large booth at REHACARE – so very likely again in 2024. In the intervening years we are represented as an exhibitor at other more regional trade fairs in northern and southern Germany, Austria, Scandinavia and other European countries. This mixture of participation in the international REHACARE and national trade fairs is perfect for us, as we can address almost all our target groups and thus enter into an exchange with them.

Isabel Günther
(translated by Lena Schmidt)
REHACARE.com