Pressure ulcers are skin breakdowns caused primarily by excessive applied pressure. Heat, moisture, friction, poor nutrition, vascular problems, and inability of a person to move are also contributing factors to this, among many others.
Presence of these ulcers already has a significant negative impact on an individual and failure to provide protection to the skin for these not to occur, imposes more complications and risks.
Prevention of pressure ulcers is a vital measure, and this includes proper hygiene, pressure relief, proper skin inspection, and provision of appropriate seating surfaces.
For seating surfaces or seat cushions, they are chosen based on the medium and properties of the materials used in their construction: foam, air, gel, or combination types.
They vary in efficacy based on pressure distribution, provision of stability, ability to insulate, or conduct heat, and the reliability of their performance over time (Frontera & DeLisa, 2010).
Seat cushions are preferably prescribed and designed specific to the medical and functional needs of an individual and should promote improved positioning, pressure relief, and comfort.
Questions to Consider in Choosing Seat Cushions
- Does the seat provide adequate support to promote good sitting posture?
- Will the pressure distribution of the seat prevent pressure sores?
- Is the shape of the seat cushion appropriate for the user’s body contours?
- Does the person need a custom-shape to accommodate deformities and maximise support?
- Are special combinations of foam, air, or gel seat cushions needed to maximise comfort and pressure relief?
Types of Seat Cushions
Type | Image | Application | Benefits | Limitations |
Plain Rectangular foam |  | Low-risk patients | Inexpensive; Firmer sitting experience | No pressure relief regions; Wears out easily |
Contour foam with gel-filled inserts |  | Higher risk patients prone to ulcers | Moulds to body contours; Firmer sitting experience | Heavier than regular foam cushions; Uncomfortable when cold |
Matrix or air-filled elastic capsules |  | High-risk patients who cannot maintain skin integrity with foam products | Improved pressure relief; Softness can be controlled by adjusting air level | More expensive than foam cushion; Higher maintenance |
Carve and assemble foam |  | For patients with asymmetries needing custom cutouts | Lightweight; Low-cost; Customisable to different needs | Custom-fitted; Hard to replicate |
Alternating air cell inflation |  | Very high-risk patients with intractable ulcers | Battery-powered air compressor sequentially inflates and deflates cells | Expensive; More complex; Requires charging |
Libertech Corporation
Libertech is Korea based manufacturer and exporter who specialises in the product of pressure and offers a wide range of pressure relieving cushions.
All of the products undergo high quality control during the production process to ensure users’ safety, and qualify for ISO 13485, CE (MDR 2017/745) and FDA.
From various types of air-filled cell, durable gel to foam combined with special ergonomic insert, its wide range of products offer varying levels of comfort and support to suit a variety of specific needs, including wheelchair users, paediatric and bariatric patients.
To learn more about Libertech or any of the brand’s seat cushion series, you can visit our page at https://bmec.asia/my/libertech/
More Information
Libertech | http://en.libertech.co.kr/
Braddom’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 5th Ed. by D.X. Cifu, 2016, p.334, Elsevier
Frontera, W. R., & Delisa, J. A. (2010). DeLisa’s Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation: principles and practice. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Health.
Md, D. C. X. (2015). Braddom’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (5th ed.). Elsevier.
O’Sullivan, S. B., Shmidtz, T.J., Fulk G.D., (2014). Physical Rehabilitation 6th Ed. FA Davis Company.
- D.X. Cifu
- S.B. O’ Sullivan
- T.J. Shmidtz
- G.D. Fulk
- Frontera, W. R.
- Delisa, J. A.
- Md, D. C. X.
