Stair Step Assisting Device And Method

History: In 2019, my wife had a triple arthrodesis to rebuild her right ankle. During a physical therapy session, she attempted to hobble up a flight of stairs using a crutch and nearly fell several times. Watching her struggle inspired me to create a simple, safe device that could be placed on stairs to assist people with limited mobility. I built a prototype (pictured) that could be securely positioned on each step. The physical therapist was impressed by its safety features; the orthopedic surgeon noted that it would benefit not only my wife, but EVERYONE using a knee scooter - a common mobility aid after lower-leg surgeries or injuries. Purpose of Marketing this Patent: The main reason we are doing this is to help people in the USA and around the World, who have mobility issues navigating stairs. Functionality: The Stair Step Assistance Device is designed for safe stair navigation when an ankle or lower leg cannot bear weight. The user places the knee of their injured foot onto the padded platform of the device. They then step up with their good leg, using a built-in strap to easily pull the device up to the next step. This process repeats until they reach the top. To descend, the user simply reverses the sequence: place the knee on the device, step down with the good leg, and control the device with the strap as they move downward. The device provides stability and control on stairs, where traditional crutches often fall short. It reduces fall risk and promotes greater independence during recovery. Market Potential: This one of a kind Stair Step Assistance Device is a natural complement to knee scooters, addressing a key pain point: safe stair navigation, which remains a major challenge for users recovering from foot, ankle, or lower-let injuries. According to "Fortune Business Insights" the knee scooter market generated $225 million in sales in North America and $384 million worldwide in 2025. The market is driven by an aging population and rising demand for mobility assistance devices. In 2022 approximately 10% of the US population was aged 65 and above; this share is projected to rise to 16% by 2050. this demographic shift is expected to fuel continued growth in mobility aid sales. Because the device is designed to be prescribed by orthopedic surgeons, there is strong potential for reimbursement through Medicare, Medicaid and Insurance, which could significantly expand accessibility and adoption among older adults and post-surgical patients. With a large and growing knee scooter user base, targeted marketing to orthopedic clinics. physical therapy practices, home healthcare providers and online mobility retailers could quickly establish the Stair Step Assistance Device as an essential add-on accessory. It's simple, low cost design also opens opportunities for direct-to-consumer sales and international expansion.