# US 2008/0184491 A1 · Pressure relieving body support apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0184491 A1 - Document ID: US20080184491A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/012,784 - Filed: 2008-02-05 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-05 - Assignees: Kemper Support Surfaces, Inc. - Inventors: Christopher E. Kemper - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080184491A1 ## CPC - A61G 5/1043: {Cushions specially adapted for wheelchairs} - A61G 5/1045: {for the seat portion} - A61G 7/05715: {with modular blocks, or inserts, with layers of different material} - A61G: TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS (appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk A61H3/00); OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES (embalming corpses A01N1/00) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a bottom foam layer having a first density and a first indentation force deflection; a second foam layer adjacent to and coextensive with the bottom foam layer, the second foam layer having a second density and a second indentation force deflection, the second foam layer having a cavity extending from a first major surface into the second foam layer; and a pressure relief insert positioned within the cavity of the second foam layer, 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, wherein the first indentation force deflection is greater than the second indentation force deflection. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a top foam layer having a third density and a third indentation force, wherein the second foam layer is positioned intermediate at least the bottom foam layer and the top foam layer and coextensive with both the bottom foam layer and the top foam layer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus of claim 2, wherein the third indentation force deflection is less than the first indentation force deflection and the second indentation force deflection. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the top foam layer comprises latex foam or polyurethane-based foam. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the third indentation force deflection is in a range from about ten to about twenty-four pounds per fifty square inches at twenty-five percent deflection. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: at least one additional foam layer in addition to the second foam layer, the at least one additional foam layer being intermediate to and coextensive with the bottom foam layer and the top foam layer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insert comprises a pressure relieving area or areas located generally corresponding to a triangular relationship of human ischial tuberosities and a coccyx of a pelvis, wherein the generally triangular relationship of the pressure relieving area or areas is defined as a triangle having a base extending a distance corresponding generally to the distance between the two ischial tuberosities, and an altitude extending a distance generally corresponding to the distance from the base generally to the coccyx. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus of claim 7, wherein the pressure relief insert is structured to be gender-specific such that the pressure relief insert is either an insert shaped for a female patient or an insert shaped for a male patient. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the insert shaped for a female patient has a base greater than a base of the insert shaped for a male patient and/or an altitude less than an altitude of the insert shaped for a male patient. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the body support apparatus comprises a wheelchair cushion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the bottom foam layer 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. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second foam layer comprises polyurethane foam. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the second density is in a range from about one and eight tenths to about two and three tenths pounds per cubic foot. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second indentation force deflection is in a range from about twenty-five to about thirty-five pounds/fifty square inches at twenty-five percent deflection. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bottom foam layer comprises polyurethane foam. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first density is in a range from about two and eight tenths to about four and one-half pounds per cubic foot. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first indentation force deflection is in the range from about seventy-five to about one hundred pounds/fifty square inches at twenty-five percent deflection. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bottom foam layer defines cutouts therein positioned to accommodate ischial tuberosities and a coccyx of a pelvis. ### Claim 19 A method of making a multi-layer therapeutic body support apparatus, comprising: bonding a bottom foam layer having a first density and a first indentation force deflection to a second foam layer adjacent to and coextensive with the bottom foam layer, the second foam layer having a second density and a second indentation force deflection, the second foam layer; cutting a cavity extending from a first major surface into the second foam layer; inserting a pressure relief insert into the cavity of the second foam layer, 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; and selecting the first indentation force deflection to be greater than the second indentation force deflection.