Pressure relieving body support apparatus

Abstract

A body support apparatus, system, and method of reducing pressure on the pelvic structure of a non-ambulatory or semi-ambulatory individual. According to the invention, a body support apparatus provides pressure relief and a level base of pelvic support for wheelchair users. The body support apparatus provides enhanced pressure relief via layers of tissue density-specific pressure relieving layers of foam. In addition, the apparatus provides further pressure relief via gender specific pressure relief zones. The body support apparatus can be used in combination with a wheelchair to provide pressure relief and a pelvic postural support.

1 . A system of support structures adapted for accommodating a sitting human, the system comprising:
 at least a first support structure and a second support structure, each of the first support structure and the second support structure having a bottom foam layer that is shaped to fit a seating structure;   each of the first support structure and the second support structure having a second foam layer adjacent to and coextensive with the bottom foam layer located above the bottom foam layer, the second foam layer having only a single cavity extending from a first major surface into the second foam layer wherein the single cavity therein is shaped and positioned to simultaneously accommodate in three point relation two ischial tuberosities and a coccyx of a pelvis;   each of the first support structure and the second support structure having a single pressure relief insert positioned within the cavity of the second foam layer, wherein the insert is shaped to be received in the cutout in closely fitting relation to the cutout and wherein the insert comprises a pressure relieving area generally corresponding to a triangular relationship of the two ischial tuberosities and a coccyx of a pelvis, wherein the generally triangular relationship of the pressure relieving area is defined as a triangle having a base extending a distance corresponding generally to the distance between the two ishcial tuberosities, and an altitude extending a distance generally corresponding to the distance from the base generally to the coccyx;   wherein the first support structure is configured to accommodate a seated human female and presents a first triangle having a first base distance and the second support structure is configured to accommodate a seated human male and presents a second triangle having a second base distance; and   wherein the first base distance of the first triangle is longer than the second base distance of the second triangle.   
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , further wherein a first altitude distance of the first support structure is less than a second altitude distance of the second support structure. 
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the first support structure and the second support structure comprises a wheelchair cushion. 
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom foam layer of each of the first support structure and the second support structure comprises a first generally planar surface proximate the second foam layer, and a non-planar second surface adapted to conform to a seating area of a wheelchair. 
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the non-planar second surface adapted to conform to a seating area of a wheelchair generally conforms to a catenary curve. 
     
     
         6 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom foam layer of each of the first support structure and the second support structure has a first density and a first indentation force deflection and the second foam layer has a second density and a second indentation force deflection, wherein the first indentation force deflection is greater than the second indentation force deflection. 
     
     
         7 . The system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the insert has a different density than the second density and a different indentation force deflection than the second indentation force deflection of the second foam layer. 
     
     
         8 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cavity and the insert are generally heart shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cavity and the insert are generally cardioid shaped. 
     
     
         10 . A method of accommodating a sitting human, comprising:
 making available a selection of gender specific support structures including at least a first support structure and a second support structure;
 each of the first support structure and the second support structure having a second foam layer adjacent to and coextensive with the bottom foam layer located above the bottom foam layer, the second foam layer having only a single cavity extending from a first major surface into the second foam layer wherein the single cavity therein is shaped and positioned to simultaneously accommodate in three point relation two ischial tuberosities and a coccyx of a pelvis; 
 each of the first support structure and the second support structure having a single pressure relief insert positioned within the cavity of the second foam layer, wherein the insert is shaped to be received in the cutout in closely fitting relation to the cutout and wherein the insert comprises a pressure relieving area generally corresponding to a triangular relationship of the two ischial tuberosities and a coccyx of a pelvis, wherein the generally triangular relationship of the pressure relieving area is defined as a triangle having a base extending a distance corresponding generally to the distance between the two ishcial tuberosities, and an altitude extending a distance generally corresponding to the distance from the base generally to the coccyx; 
 wherein the first support structure is configured to accommodate a seated human female and presents a first triangle having a first base distance and the second support structure is configured to accommodate a seated human male and presents a second triangle having a second base distance; and 
 wherein the first base distance of the first triangle is longer than the second base distance of the second triangle; and 
   directing a decision maker to select the first support structure for use by the seated human female and to select the second support structure for use by the seated human male.   
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising making available the selection of gender specific support structures including at least a first support structure and a second support structure such that a first altitude distance of the first support structure is less than a second altitude distance of the second support structure. 
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising making available the selection of gender specific support structures including at least a first support structure and a second support structure such that each of the first support structure and the second support structure comprises a wheelchair cushion. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising making available the selection of gender specific support structures including at least a first support structure and a second support structure such that the bottom foam layer of each of the first support structure and the second support structure comprises a first generally planar surface proximate the second foam layer, and a non-planar second surface adapted to conform to a seating area of a wheelchair. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising making available the selection of gender specific support structures including at least a first support structure and a second support structure such that the non-planar second surface adapted to conform to a seating area of a wheelchair generally conforms to a catenary curve. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising making available the selection of gender specific support structures including at least a first support structure and a second support structure such that the bottom foam layer of each of the first support structure and the second support structure has a first density and a first indentation force deflection and the second foam layer has a second density and a second indentation force deflection, wherein the first indentation force deflection is greater than the second indentation force deflection. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising making available the selection of gender specific support structures including at least a first support structure and a second support structure such that the insert has a different density than the second density and a different indentation force deflection than the second indentation force deflection of the second foam layer. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising making available the selection of gender specific support structures including at least a first support structure and a second support structure such that the cavity and the insert are generally heart shaped. 
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising making available the selection of gender specific support structures including at least a first support structure and a second support structure such that the cavity and the insert are generally cardioid shaped.