Commonly Asked Questions - Invacare SHAPE SENSOR User Manual

KwikFit. The back KwikFit system consists of
two aluminum channels connected together with
a solid ABS panel. This system has all of the ben-
efits of the modular shell design, but is a broader
range of sizes. The back comes complete with
attaching hardware that is adjustable in depth and
angulation. The seat KwikFit system is a flat ABS
panel with hardware that snaps easily onto the
wheelchair's seat tubes. Both the back and seat
KwikFit systems are covered by the fabric of
choice.
Custom. Silhouette
be interfaced into a chair using standard hooks
and hangers. The seat cushion can be placed
directly upon a drop seat. The back cushion can
be glued to a board that has been prepared with
the necessary T-nuts. The attaching hardware can
then be bolted through the cover. Custom mount-
ing is an easy process for those that have the nec-
essary equipment for fabrication.
24. Fill in order form and fax to Invacare at 1-800-
870-4928.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The following should address some of the common
questions that clinicians and clients may have regard-
®
ing the Silhouette System. Unfortunately, not all situ-
ations or applications can be predicted and some ques-
tions may still remain. If this is the case, then please
feel free to contact Customer Service (1-800-451-
3553).
Cushion Life. The life of a Silhouette® cushion de-
pends upon the type of environment, and the use it is
exposed to. There is a 60-day unconditional guaran-
tee and a two year replacement warrantee.
Growth. How much growth a Silhouette
accommodate is dependent on what kind of growth is
experienced. If the growth is linear, then the back can
be shifted in the wheelchair. One method of extending
the life of a seat system is to purchase the interfacing
(modular shells or custom) oversized with the addi-
tional foam extending underneath the back. When a
new cushion is made then the interfacing can still be
used. This method of accommodating growth is lim-
ited by the type of wheelchair being used. When growth
is actually weight gain, then the amount that can be
accommodated is proportional to the individuals size.
The cushions are soft in their construction and some
accommodation is possible. The cushions can also
be carved by hand to adjust for weight gain,and then
re-coated.
®
seat and back cushions can
®
cushion can
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Large Clients. How large of an individual can use Sil-
®
houette The Shape Sensor is 18" wide, and any part
of the client that extends over these surfaces will be
extrapolated by the computer following the clients re-
corded curve (up to 21"). The measuring limits of the
Shape Sensor for cushion length is similar, but the ex-
trapolation of leg length is a much more accurate pro-
cedure. The Shape Sensor is rated for up to 300 lbs.
Low Floor to Seat Heights.
seat height is desired, the proper chair should first be
chosen. Custom interfacing using a drop seat may
be necessary for extreme conditions, or when the op-
timum chair can't be provided. Care should also be
taken when specifying the thickness of the cushion.
Restriction of Movement. Clients and clinicians alike
may have concerns that a custom contoured seat
cushion will restrict an individuals capacity to freely
move about. Comments such as "I don't like to sit in
just one spot," and "I like to move around a lot" are
frequently heard. The Silhouette
from soft polyurethane foam and shifts in position are
readily achievable. Invacare has found through inter-
viewing previously skeptical clients, that the reason they
had moved around so much in the past, was that they
were often uncomfortable. The Silhouette
increased their comfort making constant shifting less
of a necessity.
Shear. Shear is a difficult phenomena to measure
and quantify. The less a surface has to deform, the
less shear it will exert on the client's tissue. The Sil-
®
houette surface is contoured to the client's shape and
should theoretically, cause less shear.
Shorter Seat Depths. When only a seat cushion is
being produced, then a dense material of known thick-
ness can be added to the front of the back sensor's
surface. This thickness will have to be related back to
the factory to assist in the fabrication process. If the
client requires both back and seat, then the attach-
ment hardware holding the seat sensor panel will have
to be modified. This modification process can be per-
formed at the factory or written directions can be given.
The modification will require the purchase of two re-
taining clips and two bumpers. It will also require the
drilling and tapping of four holes.
Small Clients. Cushions can be made as small as
10" x 10", and Invacare rates the low end capacity of
®
the Silhouette at 50 lbs. Very small clients do not have
sufficient weight to press into the Shape Sensor's seat.
Some clinicians have had good success in applying
additional force onto the client to produce the desired
21
When a low floor to
®
cushion is made
®
cushion
98-110
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