PROTAC SenSit Sensory Stimulating Chair Instructions

: June 8, 2024
: PROTAC

PROTAC SenSit Sensory Stimulating Chair

Protac SenSit

You have chosen a Protac quality product. Protac guarantees that you have purchased an original Danish-designed product developed in partnership with professionals.
Since 1994, Protac has developed, manufactured and sold sensory stimulating aids to the healthcare sectors in Denmark, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Protac products are developed from the theory of sensory integration and are well documented with respect to research, documentation and case descriptions.
Protac production process focuses on the environment and safety. Protac plastic balls are certified STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® nr. 2076-310 DTI.

For more information, go to www.protac.dk – which includes an instructional video on how to change the cover.

Labelling
The products are labeled in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/745 Class I medical devices. CE- and care labels with information about the manufacturer, raw materials, and washing instructions are placed inside the chair.

Symbol explanation on the label: see the Key to symbols section

General precautions Safety

Please pay attention to the reaction of the user, if he or she does not like being encased in the chair’s neck and side wings.
Make sure that the user does not overheat if he/she is embraced by the chair’s neck and side wings.
Users with poor breathing must use the side and neck wings with care and never unsupervised.
The chair must not be used unsupervised with individuals who require special care.
Check to see whether any balls might be irritating the user. This is particularly important if the user is incapable of independent movement.
The chair must not be used by individuals with bedsores.
You must not retrofit the chair with loose parts: for example, straps and belts.
Make sure that children and other users do not get their hands and feet caught in the carrying straps.
Protac SenSit® is not designed for outdoor use.
Protac SenSit® may only be used by individuals with a maximum weight of 200 kg.
Protac SenSit® is not intended to be mobile, and under no circumstances should it be placed or affixed to a platform with wheels.
Avoid smoking in a chair. Lost embers or cigarettes can cause burns.
Never leave a turned-on computer or other electrical devices in the chair as they generate heat which may cause the cover to deteriorate, or in the worst case cause the electrical unit to ignite as the heat cannot escape.
Must not be used near an open fire.

Purpose and function of the product

All Protac products are developed from the theory of sensory integration. The theory originates in the USA and was developed by an occupational therapist and psychologist A. Jean Ayres back in the 1970s. The theory is based on how the brain processes sensory impressions and how the different sensory stimuli can be influenced through weight and pressure on the tactile sense (sense of touch) in the skin and the proprioceptive sense (sense of movement) in muscles and joints. The pressure, movement, and weight of the balls stimulate these particular senses.

The Protac SenSit® chair was developed as an aid for individuals with functional impairments. The Protac Sensit® chair is suitable for children, youths, adults, and the elderly.

Brain damage, including spasticity, Huntington’s chorea, Parkinson’s disease, etc.
ADHD and autism
Mental illnesses such as dementia, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, anorexia, etc.
Developmental disorders, sensory disruptions, deaf-blindness, etc.
Stress

The Protac SenSit® chair is used to give relief or as a supplement for individuals with brain damage who are wheelchair users or bedridden. The chair’s stable shape supports the neck, head and body, and the balls in the seat and back make it easy to adjust the chair and create a comfortable sitting and resting position. Individuals with ADHD and autism can use the Protac SenSit® chair as a ‘contained space’ where the user is surrounded by the balls and receive the sensory stimuli needed to ensure calm and a sense of security. The chair can be used to eliminate sensory impressions so that the user can concentrate on school homework for example.

Individuals with mental illness often suffer from motor and mental restlessness. The Protac SenSit® chair can be used as a ‘safe place’ to ensure calm and a sense of security for the user. Weight and pressure of the balls also lead to better body awareness and improved well-being. The Protac SenSit® chair is used for individuals with for example developmental disorders, sensory disruption and deaf-blindness in order to increase the body’s sensory stimulation.

The Protac SenSit® chair is used for individuals with stress to ensure calm and a sense of security as well as better body awareness. The Protac SenSit® chair can be used in institutions, care facilities and hospitals, for example in common rooms or private rooms. In schools the SenSit chair can be used in the class room, in the library or in common rooms. In private homes the SenSit chair can be used in the user’s room or in the living room.

Using the product

Protac SenSit® can be used with the neck wings placed inside the chair, behind the user’s back and with the side wings hanging down the side of the chair. This contains the body, without the user feeling the weight of the wings, which may be a good start.
Protac SenSit® can be used with the neck and/or side wings placed over the user so he/she can feel the weight and pressure of the balls. This leads to a better sense of the body’s boundaries and body awareness.
When the user is wearing the neck wings, the care staff/helper may apply light pressure to the shoulder area to increase the sensory stimulation in the shoulders.
You can move Protac SenSit®, using carrying handles in the sides.
When using the Protac SenSit® for individuals with for example spasticity, create a recess at the back of the seat by moving the balls so that the user can sit in a reclined position further back in the seat.

The Protac SenSit® is delivered fully assembled and ready for use

Product Lifetime

The product’s expected lifetime is five years.

The product’s lifetime is based on correct use, cleaning, washing, service, and maintenance. Products that are used in excess of the above lifetime must be assessed for future use. The user is responsible for continuously assessing whether the product can be used in excess of the lifetime stated.

Cleaning

It is recommended to clean and wash the covers as the Protac SenSit® chair may become dirty over time. The need and frequency of washing depend on the use of the chair.
Follow the instructions below when washing and cleaning the chair.

The cover can be washed in a washing machine, min. 7 kg, using a detergent without bleach and perfume. Fabric softener must not be used. See the washing instructions inside the cover.
The seat cover with incontinence fabric on the reverse side, can be unzipped and washed separately using a detergent without bleach and perfume. Fabric softener must not be used. See the washing instructions inside the cover.
Neck and side wings can be washed in a washing machine, min. 7 kg, using the supplied washing bags. Use detergent without bleach and perfume. Fabric softener must not be used. See the washing instructions inside the wings.

Instructions before wash

Take the neck pillow out of the neck compartment.
Seat zips off.
Loosen the inner shell with balls using the back Velcro.
Unzip the components with front and back foam plates.
Remove the ballbags from both neck wings (two bags).
Remove the inner shell.
Remove the back foam plate.
Remove the front foam plate.
Remove the ball bags from the side wings (two bags). The balls are washable, use the enclosed laundry bag.
All zippers should be zipped up before the chair cover is washed.

Assembly after wash

Unzip the seat cover.
Spread out the chair cover so Velcro on the inside of the bottom of the cover is visible.
Unzip the front foam cushion compartment.
Place the foam cushion in the compartment. Fold in both sides of the cushion when fitting it can be smoothed out again once it is in place.
Zip the compartment.
Unzip the compartment for the rear foam cushion.
Place the foam cushion in the compartment – remember the hard plastic side must face inwards. Again, fold both sides of the foam cushion to ease placement.
Zip the compartment.
Position the inner bag in the cover so that the Velcro tapes meet at bottom and back.
Zip the seat cover. Remember to affix the Velcro on seat cover to the Velcro on the inner bag (in the centre, close to the rear bag).
Place the neck cushion and neck wings into the compartments and zip. Remember to secure the neck wings with Velcro.
Place side wings (the 2 large bags with plastic balls) into the cover and zip.

Find video showing how to assemble the SenSit chair at: www.protac.dk.

Please note! This is a job for two people!
Before using any stain removers, do a test on a non-visible area (bottom of chair) to make sure that it does not damage or change the colour of the fabric. Protac does not recommend the use of stain removers.

Protac accepts no liability for damages resulting from incorrect washing and maintenance.

Do not wash the inner bag with balls and granulate
Do not wash the inner bag in the neck rest

Maintenance

Over time a recess will form in the seat as the granulate at the bottom ‘settle’ through use. It is therefore important to turn the chair upside down once in a while and shake it a little to allow the granulate to become evenly distributed again. This will restore the shape of the seat.

Inspect the chair for defects and deficiencies prior to each use, and inspect the chair’s seams, zips, fabric, straps, balls and general condition once a year. If serious defects or deficiencies are discovered, the Protac SenSit® chair must not be used until the defects have been repaired and safety has been restored. The Protac SenSit® can be wiped with a well-wrung cloth soaked in warm soapy water. Can be wiped off with alcohol.

Transport and storage

It is easy to move the Protac SenSit® chair using the two carrying straps fitted on each side of the chair.

The chair should preferably be lifted by two people using one strap each.

During transport, the chair is wrapped in protective plastic in a cardboard box, which protects the chair against dirt and moisture. The chair must be stored in a safe place when not in use, preferably covered to protect it against dirt and moisture.

Disposal

Protac SenSit® can be divided into the following components for waste disposal purposes: Plastic and fabric.
The plastic balls can be disposed of as hard plastic.
All parts of the chair can be disposed of as combustible waste.
Waste must be disposed of in accordance with applicable rules.

Warranty

There is a two-year warranty against manufacturer’s defects.

The warranty will be voided in the following cases:

Overload of Protac SenSit®
Harsh use of Protac SenSit®
Lack of or incorrect maintenance of Protac SenSit®

Accessories
Protac SenSit® incontinence cover

Use of the product
The incontinence cover is pulled over the inner bag

General Precautions – Safety
When using the incontinence cover, the same risk regulations apply as when using a plastic bag.

Incontinence covers are dangerous toys for children

Protac SenSit® Puff
Protac SenSit® Puff is a foot/leg rest that may be used together with the Protac SenSit®.

Use of the product

The Protac SenSit® Puff can be used as a foot/leg rest, together with the Protac SenSit®.
The Protac SenSit® Puff can be used as a stool.

General precautions – Safety

• Must not be used by individuals with pressure ulcers on their calves and heels.
• Take care not to trip over the footstool if the user is unsure of his/her balance.

Traceability:
Production month, year and batch number are marked on the washing label. These must not be removed from the product.

Key to symbols

Example only. Always follow the recommended care instructions on the label found inside the product.

Washing bowl: Maximum washing temperature (see care label)
Triangle: Do not bleach
Square with a circle: tumble drying possible (see care label)
Iron: Do not iron
Circle: Do not dry clean
Warning: See under Safety
User information
For indoor use
CE marked according to (EU) 2017/745 Class I medical devices
Manufacturer
Batch number

Accessories

Protac SenSit® Puff
Protac SenSit® Incontinence cover
Protac SenSit® Carry bag

Spare parts

Banana-shaped cushion with granulate
Cover for chair
Foam plate for back
Foam plate for front
Innerbag with balls and granulate.
Ballbags for neck- and side wings
Innerbag for neckrest

Technical specifications

Dimensions:

Protac SenSit®

Back height: 80 cm.
diameter: 90 cm.
weight: approx. 18 kg.
Back height: 90 cm.
diameter: 90 cm.
weight: approx. 20 kg.
Patent: Protac SenSit® is patented.
Standards: Comply with general requirements for aids acc. to the following harmonized standards.
Clinical evaluation: EN 12182:2012
Risk analysis: DS/EN ISO 14971:2019
Quality management systems: EN ISO 13485:2016
Crash test: EN15377: 2007