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Medical Products FAQ's
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If using a ROHO cushion, can I sit longer than two hours, or do I still need to have some movement anyway (pressure reliefs)?
Yes. Many users increase their sitting times dramatically (e.g., 16 hours). ROHO suggests you follow the routine of pressure relief procedures recommended to you by your clinician. By consistently monitoring your skin, you may be able to determine what period of time must pass before you begin to experience redness.
What is the weight limit of the ROHO DRY FLOATATION cushion?
Only the cushion size will cause a limit. Therefore, it is imperative that each individual receive the proper size for his or her stature and chair. Custom cushions are also available.
Do you offer custom cushions, and how do I order one?
Yes. We do offer custom cushions. The advice of a rehab specialist would be most helpful in designing a specific custom cushion. Our Customer Service department also has a staff available to assist you in custom orders. Simply call, fax or e-mail ROHO with your questions.
Do I need a rigid base underneath the cushion, or is a sling seat okay to use with the ROHO cushion?
ROHO suggests all of our seating products be used with a solid seat insert, unless the wheelchair sling is designed not to hammock or sag over time. ROHO offers two types of solid inserts which can be inserted between the cushion and cover for convenient transportation.
Can I tie down cells to create a no pressure area?
In the past, there have been many proponents of tying down cells to create no pressure areas under the seated surface. However, unless medically necessary, we recommend not tying down cells, as the cushion performs best when distributing pressure over the entire contact area.
When a no contact area is incorporated into a cushion, a high pressure perimeter surrounding the no contact area is created. This variance in pressure between the perimeter and no contact area tends to cause shear, deformity and trauma to the tissue, thus increasing risk of ischemia. In addition, there is the possibility for pooling of interstitial fluids (edema) at the no contact area reducing efficient cellular nutrient transfer. Enhancing blood flow and nutrient transfer is essential and the DRY FLOATATION® cushion allows for this healing process to occur. If you tie down cells, you run the risk of delaying healing or actually increasing the size of a wound.
What about cushion toxicity?
When people ask or talk about LATEX TOXICITY what they are really asking or talking about is a severe allergic reaction to proteins found in Natural Rubber. Natural Rubber comes from the sap, a white milky fluid (latex), of the Hevea brasilienis or rubber tree. The proteins are Mother Nature’s way of keeping the sap from coagulating as it moves through the tree carrying moisture and nutrients from roots to leaves and back. All products made from Natural Rubber contain some amount of these proteins. The amount depends on how the latex was processed and how well the products made from it were leached and washed. Not only are rubber like products, gloves, condoms, catheters and tubing made from Natural Rubber, but, also adhesives and sponge foams.
Almost everybody will have some kind of a reaction to these proteins. Depending on the number of times exposed and the duration of the exposure the reaction can be anything from a mild dermatological rash to anaphylactic shock. Certain groups of people appear to be more susceptible to developing anaphylaxis. Healthcare workers for example, may develop severe dermatological reactions because of the daily repeated exposure and Myelodysplasia (spina bifida) patients seem to be particularly at risk, especially under anesthesia.
ROHO Incorporated products are manufactured from man-made materials. The cushions themselves are made of Neoprene, a synthetic rubber material that contains no protein, the covers are made of Nylon, Lycra, Polyurethane, and Polyvinyl chloride, and pumps are made of polypropylene.
When discussing specific allergy problems with healthcare workers we should be careful not to forget that a very small percentage of the population will have a reaction to contact with our cushions. People develop hypersensitivity to all sorts of things. Some people develop hives and severe itching when they come into contact with wool clothing. Others develop reactions to detergents and soaps or citrus fruits. Because the cushion is made from a chemical polymer and contains other chemicals used to produce a cure and render it resistive to UV light and the effects of ozone etc. means that a few rare individuals will have a dermatological allergy reaction to our product. This can be a serious problem but it should not be confused with the protein toxicity associated with Natural Rubber.
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MEDICAL PRODUCTS 
