The efficacy of the simplified air cushion (SAC) compared to the polyurethane foam cushion with regard to ischial tuberosity interface pressure relief

This study was initiated in an attempt to compare the Simplified air cushion (SAC) with the Polyurethane Foam (PU Foam) wheelchair cushion with regard to effective pressure relief the study focused especially on the wheelchair bound spinal cord injured (SCI) patient.Thirty ulcer-free spinal cord injured (SCI) patients participated in this study. Patients were tested on a novice wheelchair cushion, namely the (SAC) as well as on the high-density PU Foam cushion, currently used in government subsidised hospitals. Ischial tuberosity interface pressures were measured under both ischial tuberosities by means of the Oxford Pressure Monitor MK 11 (OPM MK11).Maximum average pressures on the SAC were 73.60 mmHg and 82.97 mmHg on the PU Foam cushion. The results suggest that the SAC provides adequate pressure relief if compared to the PU Foam cushion. Due to the fact that the SAC is designed on the same principles as other air cushions, it provides a maximum support area which distributes the weight of the patient evenly, thereby lowering peak pressures. The SAC also has the ability to allow air circulation at the body interface, which aids in temperature control.

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Plantar Pressure Analysis on Polyurethane Foam Materials in Footwear Exclusive for Overweight/Obese

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.749.56 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 749 ◽

pp. 56-64

Author(s):

Selvaraj Mathivanan ◽

Gautham Gopalakrishna ◽

Bhabendra Nath Das ◽

Jagath Krishna

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Polyurethane Foam ◽

Pressure Measurement ◽

Plantar Pressure ◽

Human Locomotion ◽

The Body ◽

Flat Foot ◽

Pu Foam ◽

High Bmi ◽

Pressure Analysis

The overweight/obese individuals, in general, develop varied foot consequences during walk of life. The body weight and the prevalence of flat foot on the plantar surface are the primary indicators for the discomfort in respect of high BMI individuals. The body weight has been implicated as a factor in plantar heel [4, 11, 12]. The role of PU foam materials is of greater importance to render therapeutic advantages in footwear. The PU foam materials are widely used as varied elements in footwear and the consumers’ gain benefits and sense of satisfaction on comfort parameters. The main objective of research is to scientifically investigate the characteristics PU foam materials and explore these materials for plantar pressure analysis using In-shoe pressure measurement device on footwear designed and developed exclusively for overweight/obese individuals. The foot or thoses are commonly used in the conservative treatment of plantar fasciitis and are helpful to reduce the symptoms of strain during standing and ambulation [1,5,6,7].The investigation on PU foam materials and their efficacy as footwear inserts to provide therapeutic solutions especially for high BMI individuals has been not scientifically attempted in the domain of footwear research. Hence, the investigation on choosing ideal material thereby minimising the foot related problems being experienced by high BMI individuals is aimed at using plantar pressure analysis in this paper. The polyurethane foam materials possessing uniform substance of 4mm with varied densities such as D55, D75, D95 and D120 have been assessed on a range of physical characteristics such as Density, Hardness, Compression set followed Resiliency and cushioning behaviours. These materials are employed as foot inserts in footwear specifically designed and developed for overweight/obese individuals and the pressure analysis has been carried out using In-shoe pressure measurement method in the phase of human locomotion. Based on the results obtained on pressure analysis experiments, the ideal material aid in alleviating foot problems of high BMI individuals has been scientifically revealed and recommended to the beneficiaries.

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Comparison of Interface Pressures and Subjective Comfort of Pressure-Relieving Overlays on the Operating Table for Healthy Volunteers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18052640 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 2640

Author(s):

Min Jung Han ◽

Sangjin Ko

Keyword(s):

Healthy Volunteers ◽

Polyurethane Foam ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Hospital Setting ◽

Surgical Patients ◽

Operating Table ◽

Analog Scale ◽

Pressure Relief ◽

Repeated Measures Design ◽

Interface Pressures

(1) Background: Pressure ulcers in the hospital setting occurring within 72 h after surgery are called perioperative pressure injuries. The aim of this study was to provide data for the prevention of perioperative pressure injuries following the use of pressure-relieving overlays by measuring the interface pressures and subjective comfort. (2) Methods: This study is based on a repeated measures design. The subjects included 30 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 57 years. Interface pressures of the sacrum and both heels were measured in the supine position, and the subjective comfort was evaluated with visual analog scale after applying polyurethane foam, gel pad, and egg crate foam for relief. (3) Results: The pressures in the sacrum and both heels were the lowest with polyurethane foam, and the subjective comfort was the highest. (4) Conclusions: Inexpensive polyurethane foam with satisfactory pressure relief is recommended as an overlay for surgical patients.

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Transcutaneous Gas Tensions in the Sacrum during the Acute Phase of Spinal Cord Injury

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part H Journal of Engineering in Medicine ◽

10.1243/pime_proc_1992_206_255_02 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 206 (1) ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

K M Bogie ◽

I Nuseibeh ◽

D L Bader

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Spinal Cord ◽

Vascular Tone ◽

Tissue Response ◽

Tissue Viability ◽

Management Procedure ◽

Cord Injury ◽

The Subject ◽

Interface Pressures ◽

Spinal Cord Injured

The first few months following injury to the spinal cord requires constant care of the subject if tissue breakdown is to be avoided. The management of acute traumatic cases involves complete bedrest in a supine position with appropriately positioned pillows to minimize trauma to the bone prominences. This study assesses the effectiveness of the management procedure in terms of the tissue response at the sacrum of 15 acute spinal cord injured subjects, The measurement of mean interface pressures during a representative period of recumbancy was performed and these were related to changes in transcutaneous gas tensions (TcPO2 and TcPCO2), which are reliable indices of tissue viability. A series of six variables was established which were compared to each other using non-parametric statistical analyses. It was shown that this group of subjects demonstrated a normal mechanism whereby the level of carbon dioxide was able to control the local vascular tone. The results also suggested that the practice of gapping at the sacrum should be revised to reduce mean sacral pressures and minimize the possibility of tissue breakdown, the risk of which is constant throughout the first three months following injury.

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COMPARISON OF THE BODY COMPOSITION OF SPINAL CORD INJURED AND ABLE-BODIED ADULTS

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1097/00005768-199805001-01344 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement) ◽

pp. 237

Author(s):

D. W. Lockner ◽

V. H. Heyward ◽

P. S. Kocina

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Body Composition ◽

The Body ◽

Spinal Cord Injured

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Spinal Cord Injury and Pressure Ulcer Prevention: Using Functional Activity in Pressure Relief

Nursing Research and Practice ◽

10.1155/2013/860396 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

May Stinson ◽

Rachel Schofield ◽

Cathy Gillan ◽

Julie Morton ◽

Evie Gardner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Ischial Tuberosity ◽

Interface Pressure ◽

Repeated Measures Design ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Trunk Tilt ◽

Interface Pressures

Background. People with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at increased risk of pressure ulcers due to prolonged periods of sitting. Concordance with pressure relieving movements is poor amongst this population, and one potential alternative to improve this would be to integrate pressure relieving movements into everyday functional activities.Objectives.To investigate both the current pressure relieving behaviours of SCI individuals during computer use and the application of an ergonomically adapted computer-based activity to reduce interface pressure.Design.Observational and repeated measures design.Setting.Regional Spinal Cord Injury Unit.Participants.Fourteen subjects diagnosed with SCI (12 male, 2 female).Intervention.Comparing normal sitting to seated movements and induced forward reaching positions.Main Outcome Measures.Interface pressure measurements: dispersion index (DI), peak pressure index (PPI), and total contact area (CA). The angle of trunk tilt was also measured.Results.The majority of movements yielded less than 25% reduction in interface pressure compared to normal sitting. Reaching forward by 150% of arm length during an adapted computer activity significantly reduced DI (P<0.05), angle of trunk tilt (p<0.05), and PPI for both ischial tuberosity regions (P<0.001) compared to normal sitting.Conclusion.Reaching forward significantly redistributed pressure at the seating interface, as evidenced by the change in interface pressures compared to upright sitting.

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Pressure relief characteristics in alternating pressure air cushions

Prosthetics and Orthotics International ◽

10.3109/03093649709164561 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 229-233 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

J. Attard ◽

S. V. S. Rithalia ◽

J. Kulkarni

Keyword(s):

Healthy Volunteers ◽

Air Pressure ◽

Interface Pressure ◽

Pressure Relief ◽

Pressure Time ◽

Time Cycle ◽

Air Cushion ◽

Interface Pressures

In this study a computerised system was used which continuously measured air pressure, interface pressure and pressure-time cycle characteristics of an alternating pressure air cushion (APAC), and calculated the time the interface pressure remained below three chosen thresholds of 20,40 and 60mm Hg. Ten healthy volunteers were used to evaluate the pressure relieving characteristics of four APACs. Results indicated significant differences between products when the threshold periods were analysed, showing some devices were not capable of relieving interface pressures below 20mm Hg. Though deflation pressure decreased to nearer zero, interface pressure did not follow suit.

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