| 摘要 |
<p>An apparatus and method for alleviating excessive pressure development on a body area are provided. The apparatus is preferably embodied in a cushion (10), and includes a bottom surface (12) and a top surface (14) which is spaced from the bottom surface and has a plurality of channels formed therethrough. A compressible inner layer (16) is disposed between the top an d bottom surfaces, and a plurality of elongate, inflexible members (22) are supported by the inner layer (16) and are disposed at least partially within the channels (20). The members (22) have first ends (24) that extend at leas t partially through the channels (20) and project beyond the top surface (14), where the members are located at a neutral position in the absence of pressure. In operation, pressure applied to the first ends (24) causes the membranes (22) to be displaced axially along the channels (20) away from the neutral position and toward the bottom surface (12) without deformation. Therefore, applied pressure produced by contact with a body area creates a plurality of point pressures on the body area.</p> |
