Why Alternating Air Seat Cushions Don't Work Like Mattresses

Alternating air works on mattresses. So why doesn't it work the same way on a seat cushion? And what would a cushion look like if an ex-SpaceX engineer started from first principles? This week Justin and Anton sit down with Tim, founder and CEO of Kalogon, to find out. Tim explains why random alternating motion falls short on a cushion. You've got about a third of the surface area of lying down and far more load. He shows how the Orbiter Med uses five air cells and closed-loop control to manage pressure and posture, including live adjustments from an app for obliquities and even footwear. You'll hear what happens when the battery dies or a cell punctures. You'll hear why Tim says it's not honest to claim any cushion replaces a pressure relief. Justin breaks down the design principles behind the shape: the femur shelf, the 'butt hugger' and the cutout that lets your pelvic belt do its job. Then they get into the Vero, a 3D printed cushion that uses lattice printing rather than the FDM printing most 3D cushions use. Justin challenges Tim on shear. Tim [verify surname] led the design of the Intel Connected Wheelchair and worked as an engineer at SpaceX before founding Kalogon. Hosted by Justin Boulos (OT trained educator and Founder, Wheelieworx) and Anton Mitchell. Have a listen and let us know what you'd ask Tim next.