Features
- Combination of foam and air to enhance comfort.
- Central pressure relieving channel runs from front to back to enhance circulation in area of the injury.
- Adjustable inflation to each side to suit individual needs
- Scientifically designed shape ensures maximum comfort whether used on a chair, wheelchair or in bed.
- Choice of covers.
Unlike the old ‘ring’ cushion, The VALLEY® Cushion and The VALLEY®-SV Cushion will not compromise blood circulation or lymphatic drainage. It’s unique features are achieved by the use of a combination of foam and air to provide a comfortable seating platform on either side the central pressure relieving channel (the ‘valley’). Each side can be inflated independently and adjusted to suit the individual requirements of each user. The central channel of the cushion is tapered to allow use by people of varying ischial widths. When sitting upright a person’s ischia bear most of his trunk weight and these bony prominences vary in their width of separation (from about 8 to 17 cms). At the same time the ischia will be between 6 and 15cms from the cushion’s rear edge. This means that when the narrower part of the tapered channel is towards the rear of the cushion it will suit persons who have narrow ischial spacing. When the cushion is spun round it will suit those with a wider ischial spacing. The central channel is also shaped to allow most of a person’s weight to be supported on the outer edge of each ischium and (partly) on the ‘trochanteric shelves’ (hip bone prominences).
These cushion designs were the invention of two NHS specialists, namely, Professor Ian Swain, Director, Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Salisbury District Hospital, and Peter Lowthian, Senior Research Nurse, Spinals Injuries Unit, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore.
Health professionals recommend not using a ring cushion,
“Avoid any form of ring (doughnut) cushion as they can occlude blood vessels and cause pressure damage, prolapse and other problems”.
For more information on this go to About Us – Ring vs VALLEY®.
