Wheelchair cushions are cushions specifically designed to provide comfort and protection against injury for wheelchair users. They also aid in properly positioning the user in the correct posture.
Wheelchair users are at great risk for pressure sores (decubitus ulcers).[1] A number of factors are included in the formation of these ulcers including:
- Insufficient vascularization in areas of high pressure, typically under bony prominences.[2]
- The collection of sweat on the skin due to inadequate air flow.[3]
- The presence of local areas of elevated temperature.[4]
- Shear stresses on the skin.[5]
A number of studies point to interface pressure between the body and the seating surface as the primary contributor to the formation of pressure sores.[1] In response, manufacturers have developed a number of wheelchair seat cushion alternatives to combat this breakdown. Over 200 models of wheelchair cushions were on the market[where?] as of 2001.[6]
Characteristics
Various characteristics, combined with a number of cover material options, offer a myriad of possibilities, which can be manipulated to provide various performance properties. These properties are intended to provide the wheelchair user optimal comfort, stability, and postural support, as well as aid in the prevention of pressure ulcers.[6]
Sprigle et al. proposed the following criteria for defining and describing cushion characteristics:[6]
Material and construction
- Cushions using cellular materials - foam (convoluted, segmented), flexible matrix, viscoelastic foam or matrix, nondeforming foam or matrix
- Cushions containing fluid - viscoelastic fluid, air cushion, water cushion
- Other construction - solid elastomer and solid gel, cushion with displacing solid elements
Physical characteristics
- Surface characteristics - unloaded contour depth, loaded contour depth, contour, cut-out, segmented, convoluted foam
- Features - preischial support, lateral pelvic support, medial thigh support, lateral thigh support
- Other - bonded, compartment or chamber, stiffness, flat or curved base
Design examples
|
|
|
Low profile segmented air cushion
|
|
|
|
High profile segmented air cushion
|
|
|
|
Foam and viscoelastic foam cushion
|
|
|
|
Foam and viscous fluid cushion
|
|
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
