background and aims: whole body vibration (wbv) transmitted to drivers is one of the main reasons for several different symptoms such as musculoskeletal disorders. one of the recommendations to decrease the effects of whole body vibration is using a device that acts as an isolator. in this study, we used an air cushion as a device to decrease wbv. we measured whole body vibration transmitted to...

We studied the seated buttock pressure distribution in six paraplegic patients by means of computerized pressure mapping. They were all male and their age ranged from 18 to 48 years old. Their level of paralysis varied from Th5 to L1. Five kinds of wheelchair cushions were studied: an air cushion, a contour cushion, a polyurethane foam cushion, a Cubicushion (which is made of polyurethane foams...

BACKGROUND Few studies have offered comparative information on the mechanical characteristics of different wheelchair seat cushions. The objective of the present study was to compare the benefits of the wheelchair seat cushions most frequently used in a population of patients with spinal cord injury in terms of pressure distribution and contact surface at the user-cushion interface. METHODS E...

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the best adjustable cushions, for the maintenance of normal sitting balance by healthy persons in wheelchairs, from a foam cushion, and a newly-developed air-adjustable cushion. [Subjects] Eighteen healthy participants (9 men, 9 women) were recruited. [Methods] Participants were evaluated using the Force Sensing Array System to assess average...

This study presents a developed hybrid electrical air-cushion tracked vehicle (HETAV) for the transportation operation of agricultural and industrial goods on the swamp peat terrain bearing capacity of 5 kN/m. The vehicle’s design parameters are optimized by using the developed mathematical models which are made based on the kinematics and dynamics behaviors of the vehicle. A set of sensors are...

The aim of this paper is to present a hybrid electrical air-cushion tracked vehicle (HETAV) for the operation on swamp peat. Mathematical models are incorporated with accounting kinematics and dynamics behaviors of the vehicle. Sinkage of the HETAV is sensed by an ultrasonic displacement (UD) sensor, in order to operate the air-cushion system. The air-cushion of HETAV is protected with a novel-...

Pressure distribution patterns of the seating interface on the multi-cell air cushion (ROHO High Profile) of 36 adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) (Neurological level Th3 -L1) were measured at different air pressure levels by a pressure mat measurement system. Stress distribution relative to the inflated air pressure in the air cushion on the patients' wheelchairs was analyzed to determine th...

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to evaluate pressure redistribution on the supporting area of healthy volunteers when using different cushions. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty healthy individuals ranging in age from 19-23 years old and 20 older adults age 60 or above participated in the study. All participants lived in urban communities in South Korea. Group differences according to gende...