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Introduction
Bodyzone™ 500 is a mattress consisting of viscoelastic/conventional polyether foam. For the production of the foam, Variable pressure foaming (VPF™) is used: this innovative process allows for a 40% higher air flow when compared to traditionally manufactured mattresses. In Bodyzone mattresses, VPF is combined with Surface Modification Technology (SMT™) to generate extensive pressure distribution and reduce "focused" pressure on anatomical areas prone to the development of pressure ulcers.
Test method
The pressure on the left trochanter major was measured lying down, comparing the BodyZone mattress to a widely-used non–VPF, viscoelastic polyurethane static mattress. Pressures in ten volunteers (4 male, 6 female) with an average age of 65.5 years (60.0 - 70.0) and an average weight of 181.1 pounds (93.0 - 233.0) were measured. The average BMI was 29.5 (18.2 - 38.9): 2 subjects were normal weight or less and 2 were overweight (BMS > 25.0), 4 were obese (BMI > 30) and 2 morbidly obese (BMI > 35).
Results
Average pressure on the VPF/SMT mattress was 47.2mmHg (38.0 - 56.0). For the conventional mattress, the average pressure was 94.2 mmHg (78.6 mm Hg - 119.3). Standard deviations were 6.8 and 15.2 for VPF/SMT mattress and conventional mattress respectively, indicating a higher level of consistent pressure reduction for the VPF/SMT mattress. The superiority of the VPF/SMT over traditional technology was expressed as a percentage reduction of interface pressure and ranged from 37.8% to 58.8%, with an average of 49.2% less pressure.
Conclusion
In this evaluation with healthy subjects, pressure on the trochanter major was consistently much lower on VPF/SMT mattress than on conventional viscoelastic mattress. Clinically, this should significantly contribute to reducing the incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcer formation in one of the most pressure ulcer prone areas on the human body.
Bodyzone™ 500 is a mattress consisting of viscoelastic/conventional polyether foam. For the production of the foam, Variable pressure foaming (VPF™) is used: this innovative process allows for a 40% higher air flow when compared to traditionally manufactured mattresses. In Bodyzone mattresses, VPF is combined with Surface Modification Technology (SMT™) to generate extensive pressure distribution and reduce "focused" pressure on anatomical areas prone to the development of pressure ulcers.
Test method
The pressure on the left trochanter major was measured lying down, comparing the BodyZone mattress to a widely-used non–VPF, viscoelastic polyurethane static mattress. Pressures in ten volunteers (4 male, 6 female) with an average age of 65.5 years (60.0 - 70.0) and an average weight of 181.1 pounds (93.0 - 233.0) were measured. The average BMI was 29.5 (18.2 - 38.9): 2 subjects were normal weight or less and 2 were overweight (BMS > 25.0), 4 were obese (BMI > 30) and 2 morbidly obese (BMI > 35).
Results
Average pressure on the VPF/SMT mattress was 47.2mmHg (38.0 - 56.0). For the conventional mattress, the average pressure was 94.2 mmHg (78.6 mm Hg - 119.3). Standard deviations were 6.8 and 15.2 for VPF/SMT mattress and conventional mattress respectively, indicating a higher level of consistent pressure reduction for the VPF/SMT mattress. The superiority of the VPF/SMT over traditional technology was expressed as a percentage reduction of interface pressure and ranged from 37.8% to 58.8%, with an average of 49.2% less pressure.
Conclusion
In this evaluation with healthy subjects, pressure on the trochanter major was consistently much lower on VPF/SMT mattress than on conventional viscoelastic mattress. Clinically, this should significantly contribute to reducing the incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcer formation in one of the most pressure ulcer prone areas on the human body.