A high-performance, low-cost modular cushion using range of novel dynamically responsive materials has been designed and developed for use in seating pressure relief. The use of individual contained spheres creates a localized area of gel to minimize both flattening under pressure, and inflating in areas without contact while the elastic nature of the polymers creates a durable system that recovers rapidly from deformation. Gel balls of varying densities have been developed to optimize performance. Quantification of individual ball mechanical properties has been completed which provides load-deflection curves to inform optimal ball array layout based on user interface pressure distributions. A fitting algorithm is proposed which will employ the patient's seating interface pressure distribution to design a personalized modular cushion layout which will evenly distribute contact pressure across seating support interface and maximize contact pressure area.

This nursing bed has a fixed member forming a fixed bed surface of a bed portion on which a care receiver lies, a movable member which can be moved relative to the fixed member and forms a movable bed surface of the bed portion, and a movable member driving unit for driving the movable member. The fixed member has a plurality of slender parts each extending in the lateral direction or the longitudinal direction. The movable member has a mobile body which can be protruded upward relative to the fixed bed surface and also moved in at least one of the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction via an interval between the plurality of slender parts by the movable member driving unit. The posture of the care receiver lying on the bed can be changed into his/her optimal position without difficulty.

A therapeutic device is provided for where the therapeutic device made up of a unitary elongated piece having a distal end and a proximate end, where the distal end is the unitary elongated piece that is in a configuration to provide an elevated landing for lower or upper extremities, and is equipped with a material connected to the elongated piece and extending to a desired length and culminating at the proximate end, where this material implements a supporting means for the upper or lower extremities of a user, provided that these extremities are not resting on the elongated piece.

A thermoelectric device comprising an elongated panel of two foam layers, and having an inserted thermoelectric string is incorporated into a seat cushion, planting pot, and battery thermal manager. Several enhancements to the string and the panel improve its durability, visual appeal, and tactile appeal over the prior art.

The subject invention is a device intended for use where support or restriction of motion of a body part is desired. The subject of the present invention is the formation of a network of lattice intrusions into the matrix of the device so that elements of the lattice can be removed to form a depression in the matrix of the device that conforms to the anatomy of the region that is being supported and positioned while offloading pressure.

A wheelchair is provided. First supports for supporting a user of the wheelchair are unevenly disposed to form a perimeter, and second supports for supporting the user of the wheelchair are unevenly disposed at least partially within the perimeter of the first supports. The first supports support the user when the first supports are in a raised position and the second supports are in a lowered position. The second supports support the user when the second supports are in a raised position and the first supports are in a lowered position. A alternation of supporting the user with the first supports or the second supports facilitates reduction of pressure sores of the user. In various embodiments, multiple groups of supports are used, the supports contour to a user's anatomy and/or the supports are pneumatic.

A device, a system and a method for selectively applying pressure to at least one body part of a user. The device includes a frame, a plurality of pins, an actuator means, and a controller. The actuator means preferably includes a mold and at least one motor in communication with the mold. The system includes the device and a software application usable on an external device and configured for communication with the controller. The device applies pressure to at least one body part of a user and in doing so, prevents, or at least substantially prevents, ulcerous wounds from forming; particularly in users with little to no mobility, whether acute or chronic.

A wheelchair is provided. First supports for supporting a user of the wheelchair are unevenly disposed to form a perimeter, and second supports for supporting the user of the wheelchair are unevenly disposed at least partially within the perimeter of the first supports. The first supports support the user when the first supports are in a raised position and the second supports are in a lowered position. The second supports support the user when the second supports are in a raised position and the first supports are in a lowered position. A alternation of supporting the user with the first supports or the second supports facilitates reduction of pressure sores of the user. In various embodiments, multiple groups of supports are used, the supports contour to a user's anatomy and/or the supports are pneumatic.

An evaluation system including a hardware system for collecting real-time data for evaluating sleeping comfort performance of a bedding system is disclosed. The hardware system includes a thermal and moisture comfort measurement system, a thermal and moisture comfort control system, a biomechanical comfort control system, and a biomechanical comfort measurement system. The evaluation system also includes a computational system having a processor and a tactile database, and a portable device. The computational system is configured to receive and process the real-time data from the hardware system, and is communicatively connected to the portable device for transmitting real-time data for evaluating the bedding system and adjusting the hardware system. A mobile application executable on the portable device is configured to collect subjective opinion of the sleeper using questionnaires, and the processor is configured to perform combined analysis of the subjective opinion and the real-time data of the bedding system.

A sleep apparatus, such as a mattress, comprises a head support surface sized to support a person's head, and a torso support surface sized to support a person's torso. The head support surface is generally laterally sloped moving from a first side toward a second side of the mattress, and the torso support surface is generally laterally sloped moving from the first side toward the second side. In some embodiments, the lateral slope of the head support surface is at least about 15°, the lateral slope of the head support surface is greater than the lateral slope of the torso support surface, and/or, the sleep apparatus slopes in the longitudinal direction as well.