OFIR SEAT CUSHION Preventing slipping and pressure wounds in a wheel chair

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OFIR SEAT CUSHION

Preventing slipping and pressure wounds

in a wheel chair


BackgroundBackground::

• Millions of disabled people around the world with various degrees of

disabilities are confined to wheel chairs.

• The less control they have of their seating position – more likely they will develop pressure wounds and other pathologies.

(Ulcer ,Decubitus)


BackgroundBackground

• A common event we encounter working with disabled people, is the gradual slipping down in the wheel chair due to lessened/lack of control of the lower body.


BackgroundBackgroundSlipping down -•Causes great discomfort

•Hinders patients activities

• Leads to a “slump position” – Increases pressure on the Sacrum and increase risk of pressure wounds.

• Increases Kyphosis, hindering chest expansion which leads to a decrease in breath Efficiency and ventilation.

• Increases friction and shear forces on soft tissues which may result in pressure wounds -even more so with patients who suffer from bad/lack of bladder control


BackgroundsBackgrounds - -

• Some patients do not suffer from any physical disability but have a cognitive dysfunction which may results in unawareness of their sitting position .

• Coupled to a physical disability the problem increases exponentially.


Background -Background -

As the angle between pelvis and back seat increases we witness –

An increase in the distance between back and back seat.

An increase of torque leading to slipping and increase in shear forces operating on soft tissues.

OUR GOAL –Preventing slipping in the wheel chair.


The Solution must address two major issues:

• Friction – which will prevent slipping

• Pressure dispersion– which will decrease risk of pressure wounds

Meticulous market research have shown that there is no “reasonably priced” solution.

A problem which especially affects medium/large scale institutions.


A manager’s Dilemma A manager’s Dilemma

• “With decreasing and strict financial budget should I purchase expensive cushions for the selected few or buy cheap, low grade cushions for the Majority”.


Our GoalOur Goal

creating high quality affordable seat cushions.

Providing Any institution the ability to deliver high grade product to Any patient in a wheel chair.


OFIR Seat CushionOFIR Seat Cushion

• Creates proper slope and anchoring of the pelvis in the seat of the wheel chair by using two surfaces.

• Hard foam – located in the front of the cushion ,preventing skidding

• Soft foam - located in the back of the cushion, dispersing pressure


Thickness Optimization• In designing the cushion ,one needs to balance a few factors • Thicker foam – Positive effect

Increases effectiveness preventing pressure wounds.• Negative effects -

Cost - Using more foam increases the product’s price.

Physical difficulties -A thicker cushion increases the care

giver’s difficulty in placing the patient.

A change in the height ratio between the back seat/handles and

cushion may Lead to instability and discomfort.

• Careful research have shown that optimum cushion’s height is 8.5cm (10cm in the thigh area).


Pressure dispersion Pressure dispersion comparisonscomparisons::

• Compared to current leading products “OFIR Cushion” was found to be more effective* in Pressure dispersion due to-

• Use of high quality materials.• Extra dense Visco Elastic foam.• The following is an XSensor imaging of

“OFIR Cushion” compared to other products

*The comparison was made only on one patient thus

cannot be published as valid research.


Pressure Comparison legendPressure Comparison legend

• A “brighter” and “hotter” area means higher pressure – measured in PSI.

• Do notice the data regarding peak pressure and Average pressure on the right.

• OFIR Cushion OFIR Cushion is displayed in the upperis displayed in the upper

right quadrant.right quadrant.


tempurRegular Visco elastic

foam

OFIR seat cushion


Next slide shows a comparison between “OFIR Cushion” and “Flo-Tech” cushion.

Pressure dispersion Pressure dispersion comparisons:comparisons:



Quality and DurabilityQuality and Durability

• OFIR Cushion is protected by a Patent No.: US8,167,326 b2.

• OFIR Cushion is built to last , with high grade materials - Extra dense Visco Foam.


• Stabilizing bottom surface made out of PALFOAM™ which allows enhanced Flexibility and durability.

• Cushion cover is made of Zaion – a new composite material that is fluid repellent, anti-bacterial and burning inhibitor.

Quality and DurabilityQuality and Durability


In ConclusionIn Conclusion

• OFIR Cushion is highly cost effective and will improve both patients health and quality of life.

• In addition to decrease of potential work load of care giver’s, it is the best available comprehensive solution for medium/large institutions.


Guidelines and limitationsGuidelines and limitations

• The Cushion might not prevent slipping due to Increased Extensor Tone - In this case we advise a Tilt in Space solution.

• The Cushion’s effectiveness preventing slipping

may decrease in chairs with low foot rest –

When knees are below seat’s height.


Guidelines and limitationsGuidelines and limitations

• Low quality of back rest may result in patients slumping into a kyphotic position and PPT.

• Solution – a back lumbar pillow which increases back EXT and Anterior Pelvis Tilt (APT) - Thus decreasing weight load of the buttocks moving it toward the thighs.

• A back lumber pillow can be purchased in addition to

“OFIR Cushion”.


Standards and ModificationsStandards and Modifications

• “OFIR Cushion” is available with standard lengths of 40/45/50 cm

• Costume made cushions are available for different prices.

• A new “Crescent shape” design – extra durable for wheel chair’s “wear and tear” is now available.


OFIR CushionOFIR Cushion

The future Standard for a comfortable affordable and safe

Cushion.


We are available atWe are available at : :[email protected]@gmail.com

www.carit.co.ilwww.carit.co.il

thank you,Maayan Eizinger, Physiotherapist.

TeleFax – 972-15397920390

Cellular - 972-523438976

mailto:[email protected]

Health & Medicine

OFIR SEAT CUSHION Preventing slipping and pressure wounds in a wheel chair