Start with the main task
Identify whether the immediate need is daily transfers, supported standing or repeated walking practice. These tasks require different arrangements. The patient’s diagnosis alone cannot determine the choice; functional assessment and the intended care routine should guide selection.
Snapdragon: lifting and transfers
Snapdragon provides powered lifting for transfers between compatible care surfaces. With the appropriate walking sling, it also supports selected standing and gait activities. Each task needs its own assessment, sling selection and handling plan before use.
i-Gait: dedicated gait support
i-Gait combines overhead harness support with adjustable parallel bars for supervised rehabilitation. It supports overground practice and compatible treadmill setups. It is not a general transfer hoist, and treadmill use requires a separate equipment and clearance assessment.
Support is not a measured percentage
i-Gait adjusts suspension height, but it does not measure or set a percentage of body weight unloading. Where a clinician requires precise loading limits, this distinction matters. Harness support cannot substitute for a suitable measured load-control system.
Check space, power and assistance
Assess doorways, turning space, overhead clearance and room for assistance. Snapdragon uses a rechargeable battery; standard i-Gait uses mains power, with backup available separately. Confirm the actual configuration and an approved recovery plan before starting any session.
Confirm fit and the care plan
Check body measurements, head and trunk support, weight-bearing ability and the intended activity. Confirm the permitted user load for the complete configuration. A demonstration should cover entry, positioning, supervision and returning to rest, alongside routine equipment checks.
Snapdragon and i-Gait overlap in supported rehabilitation, but their main roles differ. Begin by listing the activities that are difficult and deciding which requirement the equipment must address first.
- When daily transfers dominate: Consider Snapdragon for assessed lifting between compatible care surfaces. Review the bed, wheelchair, approach space and required sling. A successful transfer setup does not automatically establish suitability for gait practice.
- When structured walking practice dominates: Consider i-Gait when the therapist wants a dedicated harness-and-parallel-bar arrangement. Agree on the training tasks, assistance and session plan before deciding whether the system matches the patient’s needs.
- When both needs are present: Discuss each activity separately. One device may address several tasks, but this should be demonstrated for the actual user and environment. Avoid assuming that either system replaces every other mobility aid.
- When treadmill training is planned: Confirm the proposed treadmill’s compatibility, access and operating space. Plan how the person enters and leaves the setup. The presence of overhead support alone does not establish treadmill suitability.
- When choosing for home use: Review the complete routine, including storage, power, caregiver availability and professional supervision. Neither “home equipment” nor “clinic equipment” is a sufficient description of whether a system will work in a particular setting.
- Before placing the order: Share body measurements, current abilities, room dimensions and the therapist’s goals. Request confirmation of the configuration, included supports, training and service arrangements. Make sure everyone understands the equipment’s limits and the agreed response to an interruption.
The aim is a practical match between care needs and equipment capability, with ongoing review as circumstances change.
