Adjustable Pelvic Support Wheelchair Cushion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long-term care patients with pelvic or spinal-related abnormalities, such as pelvic obliquity, anterior pelvic tilt, or posterior pelvic tilt, require specialized wheelchair cushions to address postural alignment issues and prevent pressure sores, but existing solutions lack adjustability and customization for individual anatomical needs.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable anatomical support cushion apparatus featuring a thermoplastic elastomer honeycomb seat cushion with pivotally attached base members and selectable inserts, allowing for customizable deformation to accommodate various postural abnormalities, providing stability, pressure relief, and breathability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standard wheelchair cushion is used, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot provide adequate anatomical support for patients with pelvic or spinal abnormalities
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion is divided into multiple independent components: a base layer, a removable anatomical support insert with pelvic obliquity correction elements, and a cover. This segmentation allows the complex anatomical support functions to be achieved through modular components that can be assembled and adjusted independently, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion incorporates adjustable and removable elements including pelvic obliquity correction inserts, wedge inserts for tilt correction, and a flexible cover that can be removed for cleaning. These dynamic features allow the cushion to adapt to different anatomical conditions while maintaining a relatively simple base structure for manufacturing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed cushion design is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but it cannot accommodate various postural abnormalities such as pelvic obliquity, anterior tilt, or posterior tilt
Solution Approach 1:
The anatomical support insert is pre-formed with specific geometric features including pelvic obliquity correction elements and wedge shapes designed to address common postural abnormalities. This preliminary preparation of support elements allows the cushion to accommodate various conditions without requiring complex custom manufacturing for each patient, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and manufacturing ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion design allows for parameter adjustments through removable inserts with different configurations (pelvic obliquity correction, wedge inserts for tilt correction) and an adjustable cover tension system. These parameter changes enable the same basic cushion structure to address multiple postural abnormalities without requiring complete redesigns.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If thick padding is used to provide pressure relief, then comfort and pressure distribution improve, but breathability and ease of disinfection deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion cover is designed as a porous, breathable fabric that allows air circulation while providing the necessary padding for pressure relief. The removable nature of the cover enables it to be regularly removed for cleaning and disinfection, preventing moisture buildup and reducing the risk of pressure sores while maintaining breathability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion employs a dynamic cleaning system where the removable cover can be taken off for washing and disinfection, and the anatomical support insert can be removed for cleaning. This dynamic accessibility ensures that thick padding does not trap moisture or prevent disinfection, resolving the contradiction between pressure relief and breathability/ease of cleaning.
4Ease of operation
If customizable anatomical support elements are added, then patient-specific support and comfort improve, but the device becomes more complex to assemble and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion is segmented into easily separable components: a base layer, a removable anatomical support insert with pelvic obliquity correction elements, and a removable cover. This segmentation simplifies assembly and maintenance by allowing each component to be handled independently, reducing the complexity burden that would otherwise come with customizable elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion design enables user-friendly self-adjustment and maintenance. The removable cover and insert can be easily taken off and reattached by the patient or caregiver without requiring complex tools or procedures. This self-service capability maintains patient-specific comfort while minimizing assembly and maintenance complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
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.