Special Pressure Soar Prevention Pad

[JonathanS]

Hi all, my name is Jonathan. The reason for this post is primarily to help my paraplegic brother. Recently he has developed pressure ulcers and has had trouble staying on top of rotating the pressure within his seat.

Talking to my brother, he has suggested the need for a pad that can detect pressure and remind the user to alleviate pressure by moving around.

Thinking about this, I have brought the idea to a small company called P2M in Allentown that is capable of creating technology like this. Right now, my brother and I visualize a thin, inexpensive, pad that uses pressure gauges to detect pressure. This pad would be able to go under any other pad currently on the wheelchair. This pad would be capable of timing the amount of pressure on a certain area of the chair. If pressure exceeds an extended amount of time, a light display will activate and alert the user to change positions.

Does everyone feel that a pad like this would help prevent these horrible pressure sores? Is there any personal advice anyone would like to shed on the idea or design?

Thanks everyone,
Jonathan

[SCI-Nurse]

There are many factors other than just weight shifts that influence the development of pressure ulcers. This includes such things as poor diet, smoking, obesity/underweight, wrong cushion, wrong wheelchair fit, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, age, sleeping surface, moisture on the skin, etc. etc. etc. While doing weight shifts is important, it is not enough by itself.

By the way, a device already exists commercially for what you are seeking: http://www.falconrehab.net/products/shift-minder.php

(KLD)

[rybread]

The best pressure sore prevention pad is the seat cushion recommended to you by a physical therapist who does a proper seating evaluation, pressure mapping on multiple cushions to see which one is the best for you. Also, checking to make sure that if you have an air filled cushion, that it's made sure that it's not leaking constantly and checked to make sure you're not bottoming out everyday. I've had pretty massive sores myself from air filled cushions licking or not being filled correctly and me not knowing about it.

[JonathanS]

I appreciate both of the replies. I am familiar with the other factors that can lead to pressure sores not including weight shifts. I feel as though if this pad can successfully address the weight shifting issue, we would be one step closer to eliminating tons of pressure sores.

The product that we are prototyping right now would not necessary be a pad, but more like a sheet that is about a 1/4 inch thick. It would be able to slide under any current cushion on a wheel chair and stay there perminantly without affecting the comfort of the user.

In terms of use, the pad would collect data on where pressure is being distributed, more or less like a pressure map without the graphic display. The pad would analyze this information and inform the user when they have been distributing pressure to one area for an extended period of time. The pad would inform the user though a light on their chair.

I was thinking of this product as an attachment that can be easily be taken in and out of the chair. Do you think there is enough need for a product like this? And do you have any comments on the temporary design?

[SCI-Nurse]

The device above has all the features you desire. Doubt it would be worth the development and FDA approval process costs to design and market a product that already essentially meets that need.

(KLD)

[RickC]

If your pad could warn a person that they have bottomed out when sitting on an air cushion there might be a need for it.

If all it is is a timer there are already inexpensive ways to remind someone to do their weight shifts.

[forestranger52]

ROHO Cushions had a product like you describe called the Merlin.

It was a proximity sensor. It was recently taken off the market.

Mine really never worked and would alarm whenever I moved around.