Download the MATERIAL SELECTION IN cushionS table
Although cushions may look similar in design on the outside, the materials used on the inside can have a significant impact on their performance. Understanding how materials perform will improve the clinician's ability to select a cushion based on their client's goals. This article describes materials, their benefits, and the clinical considerations when selecting the most appropriate wheelchair cushion.
Foam
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{^widget|(column1)%3ch3%3eClinical+Benefits%3c%2fh3%3e%0d%0a%0d%0a%3cul%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eInexpensive+and+lightweight%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eLow+maintenance%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eAbsorbs+impact+loads+well%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eFirm+foam+can+provide+a+level+base+of+support%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eSoft+foam+can+be+used+for+comfort%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eViscoelastic+memory+foam+has+vibration+dampening+properties%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eVarious+densities+can+be+combined+for+pressure+relief%2c+moving+load+from+high+risk+bony+prominences+to+lower+risk+areas%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%3c%2ful%3e%0d%0a|(column2)%3ch3%3eAdditional+Considerations%3c%2fh3%3e%0d%0a%0d%0a%3cul%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eCompresses+over+time%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eDifficult+to+clean+and+absorbs+moisture%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eMay+create+tension+on+the+tissue+depending+on+the+softness+of+the+foam%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eMay+create+shear+forces+on+the+tissue+depending+on+the+foam+design%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eMay+retain+heat+in+hot+climates+and+get+harder+in+cold+climates%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eMemory+foam+may+hold+more+heat+than+standard+foam+and+it+becomes+more+compressed+over+time%2c+with+less+return%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eMay+increase+pressure+on+bony+prominences+over+time%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%3c%2ful%3e%0d%0a|(name)layout_2_columns|(widget_displayname)2+Columns|(width)|(height)^}
Elastomer
{^widget|(imagealt)Elastomer+icon|(column1)%3cp%3eElastomer+is+a+man-made+polymer+with+varying+degrees+of+viscoelasticity.%3c%2fp%3e%0d%0a%0d%0a%3cp%3eIn+wheelchair+cushions%2c+an+elastomer+is+often+a+matrix-like+polymer+structure.%3c%2fp%3e%0d%0a%0d%0a%3cp%3eImmersion+is+dependent+upon+the+softness+of+the+elastomer.+It+has+a+greater+durability+than+foam+over+time.%3c%2fp%3e%0d%0a|(name)layout_2_columns_Text_Image|(align)left|(image)%7e%2fgetmedia%2f7ec7b9ac-c46f-47ea-ba4c-f0ef26fd1a83%2felastomer2.png%3fwidth%3d282%26height%3d258%26ext%3d.png|(widget_displayname)Column+with+Image|(width)|(height)^}
{^widget|(name)layout_2_columns|(column1)%3ch3%3eClinical+Benefits%3c%2fh3%3e%0d%0a%0d%0a%3cul%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eEasy+to+clean%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eAllows+some+compression%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eImmersion+is+dependent+upon+the+rigidity+of+the+elastomer%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eCan+be+lightweight+depending+on+design+(e.g.+honeycomb+structure)%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eDesign+may+allow+airflow+which+may+improve+microclimate%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eHas+shear+reduction+qualities+due+to+higher+viscoelasticity+properties%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%3c%2ful%3e%0d%0a|(column2)%3ch3%3eAdditional+Considerations%3c%2fh3%3e%0d%0a%0d%0a%3cul%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eLimited+displacement%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eLess+immersive+than+lower+density+foam+or+fluids%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eMore+difficult+to+modify+in+the+field+in+response+to+specific+postural+needs%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%3c%2ful%3e%0d%0a|(widget_displayname)2+Columns|(width)|(height)^}
Gel
{^widget|(imagealt)Gel+icon|(column1)%3cp%3eGel+is+a+solid+jelly-like+material+that+can+have+properties+ranging+from+soft+and+weak+to+hard+and+tough.%3c%2fp%3e%0d%0a%0d%0a%3cp%3eAlthough+it+is+mostly+liquid%2c+it+behaves+like+a+solid.+Therefore+it+has+some+viscosity%2c+but+does+not+allow+for+complete+immersion.%3c%2fp%3e%0d%0a%0d%0a%3cp%3eGel+maintains+its+shape+even+when+opened+or+cut.%3c%2fp%3e%0d%0a|(name)layout_2_columns_Text_Image|(align)left|(image)%7e%2fgetmedia%2f6ecf5fbf-9243-4b49-af25-074c44e0f3e7%2fgel.png%3fwidth%3d271%26height%3d257%26ext%3d.png|(widget_displayname)Column+with+Image|(width)|(height)^}
{^widget|(column1)%3ch3%3eClinical+Benefits%3c%2fh3%3e%0d%0a%0d%0a%3cul%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eSome+movement+and+viscosity%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eOften+easy+to+cut%2c+modify%2c+and+put+in+small+places%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eCan+offer+good+friction%2fshear+control%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eEasy+to+clean%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%3c%2ful%3e%0d%0a|(column2)%3ch3%3eAdditional+Considerations%3c%2fh3%3e%0d%0a%0d%0a%3cul%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eHeavy%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eTemperature-sensitive%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eHolds+heat+but+can+feel+cold+to+the+touch+initially%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eLimited+displacement%2c+less+immersion+than+liquid%2c+air%2c+or+most+foams+used+in+cushions%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%3c%2ful%3e%0d%0a|(name)layout_2_columns|(widget_displayname)2+Columns|(width)|(height)^}
JAY® Flow Fluid
{^widget|(imagealt)Jay+Fluid+icon|(column1)%3cp%3eJAY+Flow+Fluid+is+a+non-Newtonian+fluid.+A+non-Newtonian+fluid+remains+in+a+semi-solid+or+highly+viscous+state.%3c%2fp%3e%0d%0a%0d%0a%3cp%3eIn+a+non-Newtonian+fluid%2c+viscosity+changes+when+under+force+to+either+more+liquid+or+more+solid.%3c%2fp%3e%0d%0a%0d%0a%3cp%3eAlthough+a+non-Newtonian+fluid+can+take+a+shape+without+a+container%2c+it+will+flow+with+pressure.+Therefore+it+needs+to+be+contained+when+used+in+a+cushion.%3c%2fp%3e%0d%0a|(name)layout_2_columns_Text_Image|(align)left|(image)%7e%2fgetmedia%2f96eee583-71e0-4613-8e51-27d64ce60528%2fJAY-Flow-Fluid.jpg%3fwidth%3d254%26height%3d236%26ext%3d.jpg|(widget_displayname)Column+with+Image|(width)|(height)^}
{^widget|(column1)%3ch3%3eClinical+Benefits%3c%2fh3%3e%0d%0a%0d%0a%3cul%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eGood+pressure+distribution%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eConforms+to+the+body%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eWeighs+less+than+gel%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eMoves+with+the+body%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eCan+help+control+shear%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eDoes+not+respond+to+load+with+counterforce+of+foam%2c+thereby+extremely+good+for+pressure+care%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eProvides+good+immersion+while+creating+a+large+area+of+surface+contact+to+distribute%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%3c%2ful%3e%0d%0a|(column2)%3ch3%3eAdditional+Considerations%3c%2fh3%3e%0d%0a%0d%0a%3cul%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eHeavier+than+foam+or+air%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eNeeds+some+maintenance%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eMay+require+redistribution+following+use+due+to+migration+with+pressure%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%3c%2ful%3e%0d%0a|(name)layout_2_columns|(widget_displayname)2+Columns|(width)|(height)^}
Air
{^widget|(imagealt)Air+icon|(column1)%3cp%3eAir+is+a+Newtonian+fluid.+A+Newtonian+fluid+maintains+its+viscosity+independent+of+stress.+A+Newtonian+fluid+only+changes+its+viscosity+in+response+to+temperature.%3c%2fp%3e%0d%0a%0d%0a%3cp%3eIf+you+provide+a+Newtonian+fluid+with+stress%2c+it+will+remain+the+same+thickness+(viscosity)%2c+but+if+you+heat+it+up+or+cool+it+down+it+can+become+more+liquid+or+more+solid.%3c%2fp%3e%0d%0a%0d%0a%3cp%3eNewtonian+fluids+such+as+air+or+water+cannot+maintain+a+shape+without+a+container.+However%2c+if+the+container+is+opened%2c+it+will+spill+and+be+released%2c+thereby+negating+its+efficacy.%3c%2fp%3e%0d%0a|(name)layout_2_columns_Text_Image|(align)left|(image)%7e%2fgetmedia%2f5e96bfaf-f315-4ab0-b6ef-992f663a968c%2fair.png%3fwidth%3d263%26height%3d247%26ext%3d.png|(widget_displayname)Column+with+Image|(width)|(height)^}
{^widget|(column1)%3ch3%3eClinical+Benefits%3c%2fh3%3e%0d%0a%0d%0a%3cul%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eLightweight%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eMoves+with+the+body%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eEasy+to+clean%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3ePressure+distribution%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eCan+be+used+as+entire+cushion+or+within+a+foam+base+for+stability%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eProvides+good+immersion+while+creating+a+large+area+of+surface+contact+to+distribute%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%3c%2ful%3e%0d%0a|(column2)%3ch3%3eAdditional+Considerations%3c%2fh3%3e%0d%0a%0d%0a%3cul%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eReduced+stability%2c+particularly+in+an+air-only+cushion%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eRisk+of+puncture%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eFrequent+maintenance+to+ensure+proper+inflation%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%09%3cli%3eSensitive+to+pressure+changes%2c+such+as+during+air+travel%3c%2fli%3e%0d%0a%3c%2ful%3e%0d%0a|(name)layout_2_columns|(widget_displayname)2+Columns|(width)|(height)^}
