Moldable Wheelchair Seating with Adjustable Fingers for Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheelchair seating systems fail to provide adequate comfort, support, and adaptability for patients with impaired sensation or mobility issues, leading to discomfort, pressure ulcers, and restricted daily activities due to inadequate pressure relief and posture support.
Innovation Solution
A moldable seating system utilizing a lightweight, high-strength aluminum alloy with vinyl coating, featuring individually adjustable fingers for customizable support zones and a coccyx cutout, allowing on-site customization with hand tools to accommodate varying patient needs and conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional wheelchair seating systems are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the comfort, support, and adaptability for patients are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The seating system is divided into multiple independent moldable elements including seat base sections, backrest sections, and lateral support elements that can be individually shaped and positioned to meet specific patient needs while maintaining overall system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Different zones of the seating system have different moldability characteristics, with some areas being more easily shaped than others to provide varying degrees of support and pressure relief across different body contact points
2Ease of operation
If fixed support structures are used, then the patient receives stable posture support, but the patient's daily activities and mobility are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The seating system transitions from fixed rigid structures to moldable elements that can be shaped to provide support only where medically necessary, allowing dynamic adjustment between support and freedom of movement based on patient positioning needs
3Ease of manufacture
If the seating system is made rigid for structural stability, then the manufacturing is easier, but the system cannot be customized for individual patients
Solution Approach 1:
The material properties of the seating elements are designed to change from a rigid manufactured state to a moldable state through application of heat and pressure, allowing precise customization after manufacture while maintaining ease of production
4Strength
If the seating system uses heavy materials for strength, then the structural integrity is improved, but the weight becomes excessive for patient comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The seating system uses composite construction combining lightweight aluminum alloy framework with molded thermoplastic elements, achieving necessary structural strength while minimizing weight to enhance patient comfort and portability
Data Source
AI summary
A moldable seating system for use with a cushion comprising a moldable seat base and a moldable backrest. The moldable seat base comprises a central portion and a perimeter having a plurality of individually adjustable fingers extending there from. The moldable backrest comprises a moldable center backrest portion and a head support portion. The sides of the moldable center backrest portion comprise a plurality of individually adjustable fingers extending there from. Each of the individual fingers of the moldable seat base and the moldable backrest may be further divided into individually adjustable sections.