ISO 16840-2:2018 PDF

Wheelchair seating — Part 2: Determination of physical and mechanical characteristics of seat cushions intended to manage tissue integrity

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Title (English):

ISO 16840-2:2018

Wheelchair seating — Part 2: Determination of physical and mechanical characteristics of seat cushions intended to manage tissue integrity

Document status:: Active
Format:: Electronic (PDF)
Number of pages:: 27
Publication date:: January 25, 2018
Edition:: ISO IS 16840 edition 2 version 1
ICS:: 11.180.10

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Description (English):

ISO 16840-2:2018 specifies apparatus, test methods and disclosure requirements for wheelchair seat cushions intended to maintain tissue integrity and prevent tissue trauma. Test conditions simulate a symmetric anatomy and posture and do not represent cushion performance for specific individual users. Loads are intended to represent those seen under the pelvis of a 50th percentile wheelchair user and are not intended to assess the weight capacity of the cushion or to characterize the cushion under bariatric loads. It is possible that not all test methods apply to existing and future cushion technologies. It does not include test methods or requirements for determining the fire resistance of cushions. ISO 16840-2:2018 can also be applicable to tissue integrity management devices used as other support systems, as well as to cushions used in situations other than a wheelchair.

Technical details

Technical committee: ISO/TC 173/SC 1 - Wheelchairs
SKU: ISO 16840-2:2018

Abstract

Overview

ISO 16840-2:2018 - "Wheelchair seating - Part 2" - defines standardized apparatus, test methods and disclosure requirements for wheelchair seat cushions intended to manage tissue integrity. The standard characterizes the physical and mechanical properties of cushions (for pressure management and tissue protection) using repeatable laboratory tests that simulate a symmetric anatomy and posture. Tests use loads representative of the pelvis of a 50th‑percentile wheelchair user and are not intended to evaluate bariatric performance, weight capacity or fire resistance.

Key technical topics and requirements

Apparatus and terminology: Defines cushion loading indenter (CLI), loaded contour indenter (LCI), rigid cushion loading indenter (RCLI) and impact‑damping RCLI (IDRCLI). Specifies a loading rig able to apply up to 830 N with displacement measurement to ±1 mm.
Preparation and sequencing: Requirements for cushion selection, preconditioning, setup and the sequence of tests so results are comparable across products.
Mechanical and physical tests:
- Frictional properties - measures slip resistance between skin or cover and cushion surface.
- Impact damping - evaluates cushion capacity to absorb sudden loads (IDRCLI).
- Recovery - assesses how cushion materials rebound after loading.
- Loaded contour depth & overload deflection - quantifies how a cushion contours under load (contour depth) and how it behaves under overload.
- Hysteresis - evaluates energy loss and stiffness characteristics during load cycles.
- Water spillage - tests liquid handling and containment behaviour.
- Biocompatibility - aligns with biological safety evaluation principles.
Reporting & disclosure: Specifies test report content and disclosure requirements so manufacturers can consistently communicate measured properties. Annexes provide typical value ranges and adaptations for different cushion sizes.
Limitations: Tests simulate symmetric anatomy and do not guarantee individual clinical outcomes. Not all methods apply to every cushion technology.

Practical applications

Enables manufacturers to characterize and benchmark cushion design features (contouring, damping, slip resistance).
Provides test laboratories with standardized procedures for reproducible results.
Helps clinicians, therapists and procurement teams compare product mechanical characteristics relevant to pressure management and tissue integrity.
Useful for R&D (material selection, prototype evaluation) and evidence documentation for regulatory or purchasing decisions.

Who should use ISO 16840-2:2018

Medical device and assistive‑technology manufacturers of wheelchair cushions and support surfaces
Independent test laboratories and certification bodies
Clinicians, seating specialists and occupational therapists involved in pressure‑management selection
Procurement officers and standards/regulatory professionals

Related standards

ISO 16840-1 (vocabulary and measures)
ISO 16840-10 / ISO 7176-16 (flammability and postural support devices)
ISO 7176-26 (vocabulary)
ISO 10993-1 (biocompatibility)
ISO 9073-8 (liquid strike‑through testing)

Keywords: ISO 16840-2, wheelchair seating, seat cushions, tissue integrity, cushion testing, loaded contour depth, impact damping, pressure management.

Related standards

Standards mentioned in the description

Abstract

Overview

Key technical topics and requirements

Apparatus and terminology: Defines cushion loading indenter (CLI), loaded contour indenter (LCI), rigid cushion loading indenter (RCLI) and impact‑damping RCLI (IDRCLI). Specifies a loading rig able to apply up to 830 N with displacement measurement to ±1 mm.
Preparation and sequencing: Requirements for cushion selection, preconditioning, setup and the sequence of tests so results are comparable across products.
Mechanical and physical tests:
- Frictional properties - measures slip resistance between skin or cover and cushion surface.
- Impact damping - evaluates cushion capacity to absorb sudden loads (IDRCLI).
- Recovery - assesses how cushion materials rebound after loading.
- Loaded contour depth & overload deflection - quantifies how a cushion contours under load (contour depth) and how it behaves under overload.
- Hysteresis - evaluates energy loss and stiffness characteristics during load cycles.
- Water spillage - tests liquid handling and containment behaviour.
- Biocompatibility - aligns with biological safety evaluation principles.
Reporting & disclosure: Specifies test report content and disclosure requirements so manufacturers can consistently communicate measured properties. Annexes provide typical value ranges and adaptations for different cushion sizes.
Limitations: Tests simulate symmetric anatomy and do not guarantee individual clinical outcomes. Not all methods apply to every cushion technology.

Practical applications

Enables manufacturers to characterize and benchmark cushion design features (contouring, damping, slip resistance).
Provides test laboratories with standardized procedures for reproducible results.
Helps clinicians, therapists and procurement teams compare product mechanical characteristics relevant to pressure management and tissue integrity.
Useful for R&D (material selection, prototype evaluation) and evidence documentation for regulatory or purchasing decisions.

Who should use ISO 16840-2:2018

Medical device and assistive‑technology manufacturers of wheelchair cushions and support surfaces
Independent test laboratories and certification bodies
Clinicians, seating specialists and occupational therapists involved in pressure‑management selection
Procurement officers and standards/regulatory professionals

Related standards

ISO 16840-1 (vocabulary and measures)
ISO 16840-10 / ISO 7176-16 (flammability and postural support devices)
ISO 7176-26 (vocabulary)
ISO 10993-1 (biocompatibility)
ISO 9073-8 (liquid strike‑through testing)

Keywords: ISO 16840-2, wheelchair seating, seat cushions, tissue integrity, cushion testing, loaded contour depth, impact damping, pressure management.

ISO 16840-2:2018 PDF

Technical details

Abstract

Overview

Key technical topics and requirements

Practical applications

Who should use ISO 16840-2:2018

Related standards

Related standards

Abstract

Overview

Key technical topics and requirements

Practical applications

Who should use ISO 16840-2:2018

Related standards

Related standards

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