Apparatuses including features for predicting pressure wound formation are disclosed. A wheelchair apparatus includes a seat having a surface that contacts a subject when the subject is sitting in the wheelchair apparatus. The surface includes a thermochromic layer having one or more materials that cause the thermochromic layer to change to a first color upon application of thermal energy radiating from the subject that corresponds to a baseline body temperature and change to a second color that is different from the first color upon application of thermal energy radiating from the subject that corresponds to a temperature that exceeds a threshold difference from the baseline body temperature. The second color is indicative of a potential pressure wound.

A hybrid seating cushion made up of a cushion base and a cushion insert. The cushion base has a seating surface in which a void in or extending through the cushion base is formed. A cushion insert such as an air bladder or fluid sack is positioned within the void. A lip or upper surface around an opening in the void overhangs at least a portion of the cushion insert, thereby minimizing the size and corresponding negative effects of a transition area where the base and the insert overlap.

An inflatable cushion comprising; a cover; a base; a communication device; a microcontroller; a power source; a gas pump; a primary tube; a blow off valve; two-way valves; a plurality of secondary tubes; and a plurality of bladder pods with pressure sensors.

A system includes a client application executed by a client computing device for setting up an inflation level and checking an inflation level of an inflatable cushion having at least one air cell or zone and at least one pressure sensor within the cushion that detects air pressure. The client computing device communicates with the inflatable cushion and determines an optimal inflation level for a user of the inflatable cushion.

An adjustable anatomical support and seat cushion apparatus for wheelchairs and the like, including a resilient, cellular thermoplastic honeycomb seat cushion member and a pivotally attached base member forming a planar base upon which the cushion member will rest when folded about the attaching pivot to engage and lay thereupon. Positioned upon and secured to the base member and disposed between it and the overlying cushion member, are user or therapist positionable, prescriptively sized and shaped pelvic obliquity elements, pommel elements and/or wedge elements operative to deform the cushion member when engaged with the bottom thereof. The assembly of components is contained within a suitable fabric cover envelope.

The invention relates to a method for producing a cushion for an orthopedic device, the cushion having at least one fluid-filled volume, wherein the method includes compression molding of a three-dimensional first cushion component made of at least a first material, which is preferably elastic, in a mold that comprises an inner mold and an outer mold, and bonding the first cushion component to at least a second cushion component in such a way that the fluid-filled volume is created.

An air valve assembly includes a housing defining an internal channel, a plunger member positioned in the internal channel and configured to slide relative to the housing, a biasing member positioned in the internal channel and configured to apply a biasing force onto the plunger member, a sealing member defining a first inflation aperture, the plunger member slidably received by the first inflation aperture, a second deflation aperture defined by the housing and in fluid communication with the internal channel, and a deflation control member slidably connected to the housing, the deflation control member configured to selectively seal the second deflation aperture.

Introduced here are methods, apparatuses, and systems for mitigating the contact pressure applied to a human body by the surface of an object, such as a chair, bed, or table. A pressure-mitigation apparatus can include a series of chambers whose pressure can be individually varied. When placed between a patient and a contact surface, a controller can vary the contact pressure on the human body by controllably inflating one or more chambers, deflating one or more chambers, or any combination thereof. By monitoring the pressure in each chamber over time, the controller can also gain an enhanced understanding of movement(s) performed by the human body when positioned on the pressure-mitigation apparatus.

A support cushion to ameliorate the incidence of pressure ulcers, the support cushion comprising: an open or closed cell support structure; at least one cavity formed within the support structure; at least one vibrational device located within at least one of the cavities and imparting vibration to the support structure; a controller controlling operation of the vibrational device to adjust one or more of intensity, duration and location of vibrations in a predetermined manner according to one of a number of selected programmes, and at least one sensor adapted to map a pressure (weight) distribution map of a user. The support cushion may be adjustable in vibration intensity, duration, and location depending on the mapped pressure distribution. The mapped pressure distribution and history of vibrational intensity, duration, and location may also be logged for diagnosis and treatment purposes.

The utility model discloses a novel nursing bed and chair system. The system includes a bed frame. The bed frame is provided with a backrest portion, a footrest portion and a cushion portion. The backrest portion and the footrest portion are connected to the cushion portion in a vertically rotatable manner, respectively. One end of the footrest portion, remote from the cushion portion, is provided with a foot pad portion. The foot pad portion is rotatably connected to the footrest portion. The system further includes a backrest push rod and a footrest push rod with outer housings being fixed to the bed frame. An actuator of the backrest push rod is fixedly connected to the back of the backrest portion. The outer housing of the footrest push rod is fixed to the bed frame, and an actuator of the footrest push rod is connected to a transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism includes a transmission frame and an L-shaped support frame. One end of the transmission frame is rotatably connected to the bed frame, and the other end is rotatably connected to one end of the L-shaped support frame. The other end of the L-shaped support frame is connected to one end of the foot pad portion remote from the footrest portion. The actuator of the footrest push rod is fixedly connected to the transmission frame. By adopting the utility model, a higher degree of automation can be achieved.