Method and apparatus for testing the efficacy of patient support systems

A method for measuring the efficacy parameters of support structures to be used in the prevention and treatment of decubitus or pressure ulcer formation comprising:

• resting an anthropomorphic model simulating the major dynamic characteristics of a human and having flexible human skin and subcutaneous tissue simulating materials including a cutaneous region and a subcutaneous region;
• placing sensing means at specific locations on and within said cutaneous and subcutaneous regions of said model on a support structure to be tested for efficacy, said sensing means capable of measuring physical parameters comprising at least one of temperature, moisture accumulation, pressure, shear and friction;
• and
• means for collecting and interpreting data obtained from said sensing means to determine loading at sensing locations to thereby determine likelihood of injury to a human resting on such support.

A method for measuring the external and internal pressures and forces sensed by parts of an anthropomorphic model simulating the major dynamic characteristics of a human, said anthropomorphic model including flexible human skin simulating materials with a cutaneous region and a subcutaneous region comprising:

• placing sensing means at specific locations on, and within, said flexible human skin of said model;
• said sensing means capable of measuring physical parameters comprising at least one of temperature, moisture accumulation, pressure, shear and friction;
• resting said anthropomorphic model on a support structure;
• and
• sensing and interpreting data obtained from said sensing means to determine at least one of temperature, moisture accumulation, pressure, shear and friction at a sensing location on, and within, said flexible human skin.