Etac and Kalogon win design award for smart air cushion that helps prevent pressure injuries
An innovative assistive technology device which helps to prevent pressure injuries and is designed by smart seating solutions specialist Kalogon in partnership with Etac, a developer of assistive devices and patient handling equipment, has won an international design award.
The Star Sentinel, powered by Kalogon, has been awarded a DNA Paris Design Award for its Product Design/Medical & Scientifics. The awards celebrate fresh and creative designs from all around the world.
Kalogon’s engineering and design team, with input from Etac, led to the development of the innovative product which is designed to maintain the pressure value of a single-cell air cushion for people at high risk of pressure injuries, such as wheelchair users.
Kim Chaney, International Product Manager – Pressure Care and Power Assist at Etac, commented to THIIS: “We are thrilled that Star Sentinel, Powered by Kalogon, has been awarded a DNA Paris Design Award for product design in the medical and scientifics category.
“It is immensely satisfying to see Sentinel recognised for increasing the accessibility of vertical air cell cushions to a broader group of users who can benefit from them.”
“Since its launch in January, Sentinel has received an overwhelmingly positive response from end users and clinicians, most recently at the Posture and Mobility Group Conference in Telford.”
With smart technology, the Star Sentinel routinely monitors ambient conditions and corrects cushion pressure accordingly. It also monitors for leaks and can fill the cushion to counteract small leaks.
It includes user detection, monitors for ambient condition changes, and provides leak detection alerts to help alleviate the effects of long-term sitting.
By optimising the performance of a vertical air cell cushion, the product eliminates the need for manual control or hand pumping.
Evan Rosenberg, Co-Founder and Lead Engineer at Kalogon commented: “I’m so happy the development team got recognition for the hard work we put into this product!”
Air-cell cushions are often prescribed to wheelchair users to mitigate the effects of prolonged sitting, a leading cause of preventable death. However, the dynamic nature of a user’s environment can lead to fluctuations in cushion pressures, requiring frequent clinical adjustments. This led to Kalogon and Etac setting out to create a solution to this problem, marketed as Sentinel.
In September 2023, Etac and Kalogon announced that they were joining forces to bolster the quality and availability of smart seating cushions for wheelchair users worldwide.
