Wheelchair cushion to transfer heat and moisture

a technology of heat and moisture transfer and wheelchair cushions, which is applied in the field of wheelchair cushions, can solve the problems of increasing temperatures and moisture, exposing parts of the body to pressure, and confined skin of people in wheelchairs to potentially injurious consequences, and achieving the effect of reducing heat and moistur

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-10-20
OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE IP GMBH & CO KG
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The current invention is also directed to a method for reducing heat and moisture from a body surface of a wheelchair user seated in a wheelchair. The method includes the steps of providing an air and moisture permeable cushion that includes a cushion member having a compressible material and a cover adapted to receive the cushion member and engage a portion of the wheelchair user's body, such as the back, head, arm or leg. The

Problems solved by technology

It is well known that the skin of people who are confined to wheelchairs is vulnerable to potentially injurious consequences resulting from the long periods of time that they sit in their wheelchairs.
Specifically, sitting in the same position for long periods of time subjects portions of a person's body to pressures, increased temperatures and moisture resulting from perspiration.
Heat and moisture are thought to be significant factors in skin tissue stress and breakdown.
However, it has been shown that moisture is the greatest influence in the formation of superficial pressure sores.
Such conditions can combine to compromise the integrity of a person's

Method used

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  • Wheelchair cushion to transfer heat and moisture
  • Wheelchair cushion to transfer heat and moisture
  • Wheelchair cushion to transfer heat and moisture

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a wheelchair 10 typically includes a frame 12, which provides the primary structure and support for the wheelchair 10. Wheelchair 10 has a primary wheel 14 located on each of an opposing left side 11 and right side 13 of wheelchair 10. Each primary wheel 14 is fixed to the frame 12 at a center point of primary wheel 14 towards a back side 17 of the wheelchair 10. Primary wheels 14 can be rotated about an axle to propel the wheelchair 10 in either a fore or aft direction by the application of an external force, from a wheelchair user or another person or, alternatively, with the use of a mechanized drive system. In addition, wheelchair 10 may include a caster wheel 16, coupled to frame 12 of each of the left side 11 and right side 13 and towards the bottom of a front side 19 of wheelchair 10. The caster wheels 16 are significantly smaller than the primary wheels 14 and are used primarily to facilitate steering and movement of the wheelchair 10 and contribu...

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Abstract

A cushion adapted to reduce heat and moisture from a wheelchair user's body, including a cushion member having a compressible material that permits air and moisture to flow through the cushion member. The cushion also includes an air and water permeable cover adapted to receive the cushion member. The cover includes an interface member having an outer layer formed of a hydrophobic material, an inner layer formed of a hydrophilic material, and a spacer layer having fibers positioned between, and generally perpendicular to, the outer and inner layers.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 559,592, filed Apr. 5, 2004 and entitled Wheelchair Cushion to Transfer Heat and Moisture, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to wheelchair cushions, particularly cushions that provide for improved heat and moisture transfer from the person in the wheelchair. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] It is well known that the skin of people who are confined to wheelchairs is vulnerable to potentially injurious consequences resulting from the long periods of time that they sit in their wheelchairs. Specifically, sitting in the same position for long periods of time subjects portions of a person's body to pressures, increased temperatures and moisture resulting from perspiration. Heat and moisture are thought to be significant factors in skin tissue stress and breakdown. The relative contribution of thes...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A47C27/14A47C27/15A47C27/22A61G5/10A61G5/12A61G7/057
CPCA47C7/742A47C27/144A47C27/148A61G7/05715A61G5/1043A61G5/12A47C27/15
Inventor HEISER, JEREMYCLOVER, WILLIAM M. JR.
Owner OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE IP GMBH & CO KG
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