Asiento hidráulico con movimiento para prevenir úlceras por presión

Abstract

A design of a hydraulic seat to stimulate critical body zones longterm submitted to pressures is presented. The device is based on induced random movement to favor blood irrigation mainly. Some studies have reported that pressure ulcers are ischemic sores. These sores are developed because of limited movements in people constrained to a wheelchair. They are produced in body sites which are long-term submitted to pressure or shearing strain. Available devices for pressure ulcers prevention follow a redistribution concept in high risk zones. This concept has been considered important but incomplete because people need movements to change posture and consequently to improve blood irrigation or muscle activation. A seat development is presented in this work. The device is formed by a cushion with six hydraulic lines working with peristaltic movement induced by an electro-mechanism. The system instruments a wheelchair. The seat arrangement not only releases ischiatic tuberosities from pressure, but also produces a pressure redistribution and a stimulation, by movement, on the body surface of support. Five subjects were submitted to the hydraulic seat. A map of pressure distribution of the support area in sitting position was obtained. Pressure maps were captured with and without seat. Results indicated that a redistribution of pressure and a release of pressure for the ischiatic tuberosities were obtained. Moreover, peristaltic movement on the hydraulic lines improves the quality of blood irrigation.