U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 11518052

Development of advanced personalized modular pressure relief seating cushion systems: Testing and user evaluation

Award for developing and testing a personalized modular pressure relief seating cushion system for wheelchair-using Veterans, focusing on pressure redistribution and skin health.

Description

The project involves developing a low-cost, high-performance, customizable modular pressure relief cushion using 3D printing. It includes user testing with 30 Veterans who are wheelchair users, aims to improve seated pressure redistribution and prevent pressure injuries, and will evaluate user satisfaction, skin health, and microenvironmental conditions. The project uses a cushion fitting algorithm for customization, includes a clinical pilot study with a randomized design, and follows ISO 16840-2 testing standards for pre-clinical evaluation. It will manufacture SquishINS inserts using additively manufactured silicon and monitor microenvironmental conditions with temperature and humidity sensors. The project is funded by Veterans Affairs and scheduled for completion in 2026.

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