HydroAir vs. FluidAir pressure mapping Pressure mapping

HydroAir vs. FluidAir pressure mapping Pressure mapping

Pressure mapping HydroAire (Aurora, Mfg.) vs. FluidAir HC (KCI)
Laurie M. Rappl, PT, CWS
Pressure mapping is an objective means of capturing pressure distribution across a given surface.
This capture gives a visual image, as well as several numeric values.
In order to show equivalence between the HydroAire by Aurora, Mfg. and the FluidAir HC by
KCI, pressure mapping was done on 5 people of varying body types on these two surfaces.
Mapping was performed on November 13, 2006 at Span-America, Greenville, SC. Neither
Span-America nor the author has a financial or employee interest in either product or either
manufacturer.
Method: Both surfaces were set up according to manufacturer’s directions. Both surfaces were
in the same room to control for room temperature and humidity. All subjects wore clothing that
was comfortably loose but not baggy, and of a stretch material to limit interference with the
mapping.
Each subject was mapped three times on one surface as follows, then immediately mapped on the
second surface three times.
1. Place X-sensor mat on Surface #1. Calibrate.
2. Allow X-sensor to run for 2 full minutes unweighted.
3. Position test subject on X-sensor in supine position, no pillow, surface flat. Smooth any
obvious wrinkles in mat that show on the screen. These will alter pressure readings.
4. Run X-sensor for 2 full minutes.
5. Save image at 2-minute mark. Label the file appropriately.
6. Remove test subject from X-sensor.
7. Repeat steps 2-6 two more times, ending with the 3rd saved pressure reading.
8. Place X-Sensor mat on Surface #2.
9. Repeat steps 2-6 three times, saving each image at the 2-minute mark.
The sex, height and weight of each of the 5 subjects were:
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
5’0”
5’8”
6’2”
5’9”
5’10”
95#
135#
190#
230#
170#
Results: Pressure mapping is useful in providing a view of the interface pressures across the
entire body surface in contact with the mattress. Individual numeric values such as peak pressure
and average pressure are of no value in showing product equivalence. Contact Area, shown in
square inches, gives an idea of the amount of immersion taking place on the mattress. More
HydroAir vs. FluidAir pressure mapping
immersion into the surface yields greater contact surface and lower pressures across that greater
surface.
Three maps were recorded for each subject on each surface. The images with the highest and
lowest contact areas for each subject on each mattress were eliminated, and the image with the
mid-range contact area is shown.
Immersion: Four of the five subjects showed better immersion into the HydroAire than into the
Fluid Air. This is seen when comparing the Contact Area number on the right side of each
image. The fifth subject showed only 2% greater contact area on the FluidAir than the
HydroAire.
Overview of images: All subjects show more yellow and green colors, indicating higher
pressures, in the sacral/buttocks area on the FluidAir than on the HydroAire.
Conclusion: According to pressure mapping, the HydroAire is at least equivalent to the
FluidAir.
Please contact me if I can be of further assistance.
Laurie M. Rappl, PT, CWS
70 Commerce Center
Greenville, SC 29681
864-288-8877 x 6942
HydroAir vs. FluidAir pressure mapping
Table 1. Interference Pressure Measurements
Subject 1
Subject 2
Subject 3
Subject 4
Subject 5
48, 65, 79
40, 40, 33
44, 47, 38
49, NA, NA
60, 63, 53
29, 44, 49
50, 48, 72
46, 41, 45
64
58.6
37.6
40.6
43
56.6
28, 31, 28
24, 29, 25
17, 19, 22
26, 20, 22
27, 24, 28
26, 19, 25
17, 22, 18
20, 22, 17
Occiput
Fluid air
31, 43,
30
42, 33,
37
Average
HydroAire
Fluid air
34.6
37.3
HydroAire
49
44
Scapula
Fluid air
15, 19,
18
28, 33,
30
Average
HydroAire
Fluid air
17.3
30.3
29
26.3
26
23.3
19.3
19
29, 36 29
40, 35,
37
31, 31, 37
47, 47, 47
38, 32, 33
32, 27, 32
41, 62, 45
48, 49, 41
37, 36, 37
42, 32, 30
31.3
37.3
33
49.3
47
46
34.3
36.6
38, 36, 29
38, 37, 55
48, 57, 47
37, 21, 30
48, 48, 40
80, 51, 59
63, 90, 77
38, 45, 34
HydroAire
Sacrum
HydroAire
Fluid air
Average
HydroAire
Fluid air
22.6
19.6
30.3
34.6
Heels
Fluid air
32, 40,
23
41, 42,
41
Average
HydroAire
Fluid air
31.6
41.3
34.3
45.3
43.3
63.3
50.6
76.6
29.3
39
5' 0"
95#
5' 8"
135#
5' 9"
230#
5' 10"
170#
6' 2"
190#
HydroAire
Subject
HydroAir vs. FluidAir pressure mapping
Subject 5’ 0”, 95#
HydroAire
FluidAir
HydroAir vs. FluidAir pressure mapping
Subject Female 5’ 8”, 135#
HydroAire
FluidAir
HydroAir vs. FluidAir pressure mapping
Subject: Male 6’ 2”, 190#
HydroAire
FluidAir
HydroAir vs. FluidAir pressure mapping
Subject: Male 5’ 9”, 230#
HydroAir
FluidAir
HydroAir vs. FluidAir pressure mapping
Subject: Male 5’ 10”, 170#
HydroAir
FluidAir
HydroAir vs. FluidAir pressure mapping