custom seats

custom seats

jason silke, CPO

12/12/2003

Thank you fellow colleagues for your help.
Jason Silke



InvaCare is actually the Manufacturer, but the system used to owned by
PinDot. At any rate, any seating company will have the capability of
molding for a custom seating system, but like a custom TLSO, a poor mold = a
poor seating system. Most seating technicians have no more than a weekend
course under their belts, and very little understanding of human anatomy/
physiology or the musculoskeletal or neuromuscular diseases that they may be
working with.


I would recommend that you advise your patient/client to be sure that either
an OT or a PT be involved in the molding and fitting of the seating system.
Most towns have several vendors to choose from. Since they will only get
one shot at this in a five year period, and custom seating is much less
adjustable than TLSOs, he/she will need to investigate the seating people
well before making a selection.
Bernie T. Veldman
BOC Orthotist


Dear Practitioner :
We make custom molded shoes for our local O & P facilities across the state
of florida. We are also currently providing the same service for the retired
or service connected veterans of the armed forces of our great nation. We
would also like to provide the same service for your facility. We know how
complicated most cases are. Most patients are impossible to please. We use
the finest leathers & materials to produce our product. Our Custom Molded
Shoes are made for the purpose to alleviate discomfort from calluces, corns,
ulcers caused from Diabetis and instability when walking or standing.
Credibility is important to us. Unless ordered otherwise our turn around
time is 4 weeks or less. 2 week turn around time only on rush orders and no
extra charge for this service. Please feel free to email me for additional
information.
Roberto Rizzo OST
T & R Orthotics, Inc.
PH: 561-255-9040
Fax: 561-691-1270


I have custom moulded a wheelchair seat for a similar problem...ended up
having to go back to a TLSO...go figure!



I think a custom fittedf seat cushion, and there are many types to choose from would be a good start. The fitting of the pelvic base in neutral can stability the hip and lower spine. Some wheelchair cushions elevate the thighs, and dewieght the coccyx. Lateral cushion supports wrapping arround the back of the chair to support a lateral lean would help. In addition always use a foot rest with some elevation to the front end 4-7 degress to make sure the feet have a proper position allow the proper placement of the pelvic torso area, with allowing the feet to keep the plevis back into the designated support area of the cushion. A light support surgical 5-6 inch. binder applied to the patient, lightly pulled arroung the trunk helps the spinal extensors by making the anterior truck more stablel. Some office chairs offier a tilt seat. I hope these oftions help. Happy Holidays!! Sincerely, Rick/CPO
Jason contact Otto Bock for custom molded seating info. Bryan Finley CP


We have been using for long some kind of moulded plastazote seats.
Initially, they are moulded with the patient in a wheelchair and afterwards
the seat can be transferred to a car seat or a regular chair because we
build it with some straps that can be tightened wherever you want.
As it is an adult, we would reinforce the plastazote (usually 18mm) with
high-density polyetilene.
If you think this kind of seat could be useful to you I can send you a
picture of one of them.
Best regards to you
Carlos Quelhas


Hello Jason - One of our consulting clients is at the Brace Place - University of Nebraska Medical Center. The do make the custom wheelchair systems you mentioned. I'd bet they could easily make a chair seat for your patient. Contact Wayne Stuberg at 18006563937. I hope they can help



Jason,
Otto Bock has a whole seating system, independent of the chair. Pin-Dot out of the Chicago area, Silverman is his name. He had a system similar in concept to AM-Fit foot orthotics. Create your own by positioning your lady in a bean bag and then evacuating the air to create an impression of her torso, pelvis and thighs from which you can fabricate a seat and pad it to your combined preference. This was very popular some years back, but seems to have lost interest/favor in the O&P community.
Good luck,
Bill Schumann, CPO


Dear Jason,
Customized wheelchair cushions are common and could be devised to meet your
patient's needs. There are a variety of out of the box cushions that come
with variable wedges, fluid filled sacs and air bladders. There are also
low tech (expandable foam placed in a trashbag) and hightech (computerized)
customization processes.
A wheelchair vendor used to performing seating and positioning evals would
be a good resource.
Out of the box solutions retail for approx $400-450.
Yours,
Charles E. Levy, MD


Jason--Contact Otto Bock (www.ottobockus.com) I saw their customs when I
toured the facility and also examples of outstanding patient outcomes. Judy
Hettinga/O&P EDGE/Marketing & Sales



Call Aspen Seating in Denver, Colorado. They may be able to help you. Here is the ph#: 303.781.1633. Talk with Tom or Joel.
Good luck!
Regards,
Carita Backman, C.P.
OPS
333 S. Allison Pkwy, #200
Lakewood, CO 80226
303.716.0796


Hi Jason,
A work colleague of mine forwarded your email concerning the
above-mentioned subject and asked me to contact you in case I could be of
any assistance. Our company manufactures custom molded seating systems
utilizing CAD/CAM equipment. Our product is called the Otto Bock Shape
System. I'm including a link to our website in case you wish to learn more
about the OBSS. Our cushions can be fabricated to match the exact anatomical
shape of your patient and can then be mounted to just about any type of
mobility base. If you would like further information on our process and/or
product, please feel free to contact me. If our product is not the best
option for your patient I can give you alternatives. I have been involved in
seating and positioning for about 12 years, so I have a pretty good handle
on what other options exist.

Regards,

<URL Redacted>


Hello Jason-Just replying to your question of custom seats to use in chairs. Our custom seating division does do custom work for clients and we have done some specialty work for our clients. We are located in Troy, Michigan. All of our clients need to be seen for an initial evaluation with our seating representatives to determine the appropriate seating and materials based on the clients indivual needs. Please contact our office if you have any questions or would like more information at 248-583-9811. Thank you.

Jason, contact Otto Bock, they custom manufacture seating systems. As you are aware they are made primarily for wheel chair seating systems...I 'll bet they would be willing to work with you.

Joe Perry CP RFO