The design and performance of a low-cost inflatable wheelchair seat cushion

Abstract

For wheelchair users, the use of wheelchair seat cushions is vital to preventing life-threatening pressure sores, but high quality air cushions are often too expensive and inaccessible for many people. Given the prevalence of pressure sores, there is a need for a more accessible alternative to expensive air cushions. The design of a low-cost inflatable wheelchair seat cushion made of bicycle inner tubes, the Loop cushion, was evaluated through conducting user research interviews and performance tests as outlined in the ISO standards regarding wheelchair seat cushions. Ten tests were conducted on the Loop prototype, including accelerated aging, interface pressure mapping, hysteresis, impact damping, loaded contour depth, envelopment, 10% force deflection, horizontal stiffness, and sliding resistance. An additional test was conducted to evaluate the cushion's pressure distribution in tilted conditions. The results of the above mentioned tests were compared with published data of other cushions, particularly the ROHO High Profile cushion and foam cushions, where available. Loop performed comparably to the ROHO cushion and outperformed the foam cushions on many counts, showing that it is a promising cushion design.