Supracor Stimulite Contoured Elite Adjustable Wheelchair Cushion

Stimulite Contoured Elite Adjustable

The new Stimulite Contoured Elite Adjustable wheelchair cushion can generally be categorized as a honeycomb cushion due to its honeycomb-like structure. Supracor - the manufacturer of this product - provides the following details about this cushion.

• Made in the USA
• Approximately 3 inches thick
• Approximately 3¼ pounds
• Machine washable
• Dryer-safe
• The cushion comes with 1 polyester cover

Adjustability in firmness is achieved by changing or combining inserts. One insert kit is included with this cushion. The insert kit includes: white, magenta, and gold inserts (from softest to most firm). The sandwich of stackable, user-configurable layers enables the possibility of changing the cushion's support level and immersion to accommodate different situations.

With the XS option and all inserts removed — the softest configuration — this cushion is softer than the original Contoured XS. Thusly configured, the feel of the Stimulite Contoured Elite Adjustable cushion is close to the feel of the soft pink contoured pediatric model. Note that the insert kit contains all of the inserts needed to configure the Contoured Elite Adjustable cushion in every way shown in the following table (i.e., 1 white, 1 magenta, and 1 gold).

Insert(s)	w.r.t. Contoured Adjustable Elite Configurations
No Insert	Greatest Immersion
White	Second Greatest Immersion
Magenta	Medium Immersion with Support
Gold	Medium Support
White Atop Magenta	Second Most Firm
White Atop Gold	Most Firm

The geometry of the cushion's top surface — the contouring — is identical to the original, non-adjustable Stimulite Contoured model.

Note that the extra cover option refers to purchasing a Stimulite Contoured Elite Adjustable cushion (with or without other options) and the extra polyester cover at the same time (not separately). The extra sheepskin cover option references real New Zealand sheep skin that stretches in true four way stretch fashion (i.e., the cover stretches in the width direction and in the perpendicular front-to-back direction). The optional water-proof cover fits around the top and sides of the cushion in shower-cap fashion.

If a custom taper, rail, notch, or leg cut is desired, complete and return the Custom Cut Stimulite form. Note that the back two corners are already inset a bit in Supracor's Contoured Elite Adjustable cushion geometry. Also note that custom tapers greater than one inch (the difference between the back and front widths) may adversely affect the Contoured Elite Adjustable's contouring.

Its perforated, open cell structure permits more air circulation against adjacent buttocks and leg areas than most other types of cushions. The associated air circulation assists in the prevention of skin maceration. Note that the use of a non-porous cushion cover countervails the cushion's advantage with regard to air circulation.

The "XS" option specifies a softer top layer of the honeycomb material. The XS option does not change the thickness (i.e., height) of the cushion. The XS option replaces the top layer of the cushion with a slightly less dense (i.e., slightly softer) layer of honeycomb material.

The manufacturer's 3" thickness specification is; of course, somewhat of an average since the contoured surface of this cushion - its curvy top - exhibits a range of thicknesses that vary from point to point on the cushion. The front, left and right edges of the cushion, and the center pommel, are approximately 3.5" thick. The front leg well areas - the two low areas seen from the front - are approximately 3" thick. The rear seat well area - the back of the cushion where the buttocks would rest - is approximately 2" thick.

The extra one inch thickness option refers to the additional inch being added to the bottom of the cushion, whether or not the cushion has an XS top. Note; however, that the extra one inch thickness cannot be added to cushions with a "Sling" bottom.

An optional half inch thick obliquity pad (or two pads if an inch thickness is needed) can be useful in helping to compensate for hip asymmetry (i.e., a pelvic obliquity).

The Stimulite Contoured Elite Adjustable cushion is suitable for people who must use a wheelchair as a result of a spinal cord injury (e.g., paraplegia, quadriplegia or tetraplegia), stroke, amputation, spina bifida, or other disability.