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Java® Cushion MRI Research Summary
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The Java® Cushion: Better by every measure
Ride Designs’ patented Java® Cushion contour works by redistributing the
forces of pressure and shear from high risk areas while selectively
applying the forces to areas more tolerant. The result is the potential for:
• Greater sitting stability for improved functional performance
• Improved skin outcomes
• Lower tissue distortion
• Lower long-term skin risk
Minimal deep tissue deformation to reduce risk for skin breakdown
AIR
JAVA®
muscle
a
Area of scan is shaded for orientation.
b
muscle
fat
b
a
fat
Sitting in an open MRI, we can see and measure deep tissue deformation, a leading cause of severe
pressure sores. Simply put, the less deep tissue deformation when seated on a cushion, the lower the
risk for deep tissue injury. Notice how little tissue deformation occurs on the Java Cushion as compared
to sitting on a properly inflated air cushion as evidenced by measurement of muscle and fat thickness
(a) below the ischial tuberosities (b).
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Java® Cushion MRI Research Summary
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Evan Call MS, CSM
Off Loading Wheelchair Cushion provides best case
reduction in tissue deformation as indicated by MRI
a
Thomas Hetzel PT, ATPb,
Objective: Compare deep tissue deformation below the ITs and
surrounding the femoral head under three conditions: 1) Fully suspended,
2) Properly-inflated Air Cushion, 3) Java Cushion.
At right: Subject in MRI; Far right: Set up for fully suspended studies.
AIR
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2.0
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1.0
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cm Unloaded Off-Loading Air Cell
3.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
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cm
Compression at Ischial Tuberosities
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Unloaded Off-Loading Air Cell
0
cm
Tissue thickness
under the IT
Off-Loading Air Cell
Tissue
compression
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JAVA®
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1.0
2.0
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cm Unloaded Off-Loading Air Cell
1.0
muscle
fat
muscle
Tissue thickness under the IT
decreases when using the air cell
cushion compared to the Java
0
cm
Off-Loading Air Cell
Muscle
compression
Charts at right:
Tissue compression is significantly impacted by a
cushion, and compression in fatty tissue represents the
majority of that impact. Some subjects had no muscle
tissue below their ITs due to severe atrophy.
Those subjects were excluded from the muscle
compression measure.
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2.0
Unloaded
1.0
1.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
6.0
Off-Loading Air Cell
Off-Loading Air Cell
4.0
Use of the Java Cushion results 4.0
in 50% less compression than 2.0
2.0
air cell cushion
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cm
cm
2.0
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cm
cm
1.0
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cm
1.0
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fat
Unloaded Off-Loading Air Cell
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Ten subjects, all with SCI, Paraplegia. Average time since onset was 18.4
years, with most recent being three years, and longest being 30 years.
Authors:
Chad McLeana
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Unloaded
Fat
compression
8.0
Off-Loading Air Cell
6.0 8.0
4.0 6.0
2.0 4.0
0
0
cm
cm
Off-Loading Air Cell
Off-Loading Air Cell
0
cm
a Weber State University, Ogden Utah.; b Aspen Seating/Ride Designs
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2.0
Off-Loading Air Cell
0 2.0
cm 0
cm
Unloaded
Unlo