Article

A method is described for measuring the heat and water vapor dissipation
characteristics of wheelchair cushions and seating systems while under simulated
loading conditions.
Thermal interaction between the body and seating surfaces can
result in elevated tissue temperature and moisture build-up, which may increase
the risk of pressure ulcers associated with prolonged ischemia or due to
macerative damage. Both the materials and geometry of commercial seating systems
are thought to influence the body-support surface microclimate. A thermodynamic
rigid cushion loading indenter (TRCLI) has been developed to simulate the thermal
and loading conditions of the body on seating surfaces. Results are reported for
32 commercially available wheelchair cushions. The results differentiate the
cushions into clusters of comparable properties that offer the potential for
classification of support surfaces based on their heat and water vapor
dissipation performance. This study has shown that deducing the heat and water vapor dissipation characteristics of a seating system from material physical
properties is of limited value because of the influences of particular design
features of combinations of materials. Testing of individual products with the use of the TRCLI can, however, reliably differentiate wheelchair cushions by their ability to dissipate heat and water vapor.

Langue : ANGLAIS