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Experimental investigation and computer simulation of wheelchair cushions

Published: 23 April 2007 Publication History

Abstract

This project aims to investigate the properties of 4 types of commonly used wheelchair cushions --- the Honeycomb (polymer), Roho (air), Jay (gel) and high density foam --- with regards to their capability in pressure distribution and postural support from the biomechanical point of view. These are possibly the 2 most important characteristics of wheelchair cushions for wheelchair users. Presence of a cushion cover and type of support structure the cushion is placed on are the variables that will be investigated. Displacement of the cushion surface over a series of loads comparable to human masses was measured. Displacement of the cushion surface was measured using a 3-D digitizer (Minolta Vivid 900) and computer software Rapidform 2001. Simulation of cushion properties was then carried out using software CosmosWorks 2005. Results indicate that the foam cushion exhibits the best pressure distribution characteristic, while cushion covers tend to decrease deformation and increase pressure on bone protrusions. Simulations also indicated that a symmetrical cushion appeals not to be ideal for users with asymmetrical weight distribution.

References

[1]
Ham, Rosalind. Aldersea, Patsy. Porter, David. (1998). Wheelchair Users and Postural Seating: A Clinical Approach. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
[2]
H. A. M. Staarink. (1995). Sitting posture, comfort and pressure. Delft: Delft University Press.
[3]
Sprigle, Stephen. (1992). The Match Game: Material characteristics of wheelchair cushions are as varied as the needs of wheelchair riders. TeamRehab Report, May 1992, p. 20--21.
[4]
Liebschner, Michael A. K., Kopperdahl, David L., Rosenberg, William. Keaveny, Tony M. (2003). Finite Element Modelling of the Human Thoracombular Spine. Spine, Vol 28 No. 6, p 559--565.
[5]
Huntsman Polyurethanes. (2006). Advanced ComfortTM Seating: A Revolution in seating performance for the automotive industry. Everslaan. (Published for UTECH Europe exhibition)
[6]
Mark R. Schmeler, Mary Ellen Buning. (2000). Properties of Seat Cushions. {On-Line}. Available: http://www.wheelchairnet.org/wcn_wcu/SlideLectures/MS/2Cushions.pdf

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  • (2023)Understanding Wheelchair Users’ Preferences for On-Body, In-Air, and On-Wheelchair GesturesProceedings of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3544548.3580929(1-16)Online publication date: 19-Apr-2023

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cover image ACM Conferences
i-CREATe '07: Proceedings of the 1st international convention on Rehabilitation engineering & assistive technology: in conjunction with 1st Tan Tock Seng Hospital Neurorehabilitation Meeting
April 2007
272 pages
ISBN:9781595938527
DOI:10.1145/1328491
Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for components of this work owned by others than ACM must be honored. Abstracting with credit is permitted. To copy otherwise, or republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee. Request permissions from [email protected]

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Association for Computing Machinery

New York, NY, United States

Publication History

Published: 23 April 2007

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Author Tags

  1. cushion design
  2. simulation
  3. wheelchair

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  • (2023)Understanding Wheelchair Users’ Preferences for On-Body, In-Air, and On-Wheelchair GesturesProceedings of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3544548.3580929(1-16)Online publication date: 19-Apr-2023

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