VICAIR Vector O2 Relief by Air Cushions For Pressure Sores User Manual

: September 6, 2024
: VICAIR

Table of Contents

VICAIR Vector O2 Relief by Air Cushions For Pressure Sores
MAIN COMPONENTS
GENERAL PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
PRECAUTIONS AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
INSTALLATION
USE
MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING
WARRANTY
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

VICAIR Vector O2 Relief by Air Cushions For Pressure Sores

Dear customer,
Thank you for choosing a Vicair® product. We are sure you will appreciate the simplicity, reliability and fantastic effect. For quick installation you can use the Quick Installation Guide provided with your cushion. In addition, please read and understand this user manual before use. Save both the Quick Installation Guide and this manual for future reference.
For more information or to (re)order manuals, contact your country’s distributor.
Go to vicair.com for distributor information.

INTRODUCTION
The Vicair® Vector O2 is a wheelchair seat cushion with an anatomically contoured seat surface that provides a very high level of stability for persons with a high risk of developing pressure injuries. It is also a high performance addition to a pressure injury treatment plan (stage I-IV).

INDICATIONS
It is used to provide comfort, stable body support, to improve body-posture and to help prevent pressure injuries.
It is also a high performance addition to a pressure injury treatment plan (stage I-IV).

CONTRAINDICATIONS
When used as intended, there are no known contraindications.

MAIN COMPONENTS

A. Cushion cover
B. Cushion
C. SmartCells™, placed in 9 compartments
D. Quick Installation Guide

GENERAL PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Alternative cushion covers
Comfair Cover: Top: Knitted Polyester fabric. Sides: Polyester 3D Mesh fabric. Bottom: Polyester fabric with polyurethane anti-slip coating.
Incotec Cover & Reversible Cover: Top: Knitted Polyester fabric, coated with fluid resistant breathable polyurethane. Bottom: Polyester fabric with polyurethane anti-slip coating.
All covers: Machine washable. Covers comply with EN1021-1, 1021-2 and CAL117.

PRECAUTIONS AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

A Vicair wheelchair seat cushion may only be used as a wheelchair seat cushion. The use of this product in any other way, is considered to be misuse. Vicair B.V. cannot be held responsible for damage caused by misuse, improper use or negligence. Make sure that you read and understand this manual completely.

Warning

Vicair B.V. recommends to adjust the filling grade under the direct supervision of your therapist or Assistive Technology Professional.
In case of soiling with body fluids, and when transferring the product to another user, the product must be disinfected to avoid cross contamination.
Vicair B.V. recommends to install the product under direct supervision of a therapist or Assistive Technology Professional.
Your tailbone and pelvic bones should not touch the bottom of the cushion. Checking for “bottoming out” should be done during first use and after adjustments to the cushion filling.
Check your skin regularly for redness, especially during the first few days. If redness occurs and does not disappear after 15 minutes, consult your therapist or Assistive Technology Professional.
Every three months, check the product for wear and deflated cells. In case of serious damage, or a large number of deflated cells, do not continue to use the product. Consult your Assistive Technology Professional. Caution! Do not use or leave the product close to a naked flame or a high temperature heat source.

Caution

Do not dry clean, steam clean or autoclave the product. The product cannot withstand excessive heat or pressure. When the given cleaning instructions are not followed, it is very likely that the product and/or the product’s cover will age more rapidly.
Do not use aggressive or abrasive cleaners, or sharp objects to clean the cushion. Caution! Do not place the topside of the Vicair O2 cushion against the glass of the washer door.
Make sure the cushion cannot interfere with the wheel spokes.
Excessive washing may influence the aging of this product.
Notice! Filling grade may slightly deviate from default (see product label).

INSTALLATION

Warning! Vicair B.V. recommends to install the product under direct supervision of a therapist or Assistive Technology Professional.
Caution! Make sure the cushion cannot interfere with the wheel spokes.
Notice! Always use cushion with cover. Notice! Make sure that the wheelchair seat is clean and degreased.
Tip : When you prefer not to use the hook and loop, you can remove the hook strips. Note that the strips confected to the bottom of the cushion and/or cushion cover cannot be removed.

Perform the following steps when using the O2 Top Cover
These steps correspond to the installation images 1 – 6 on the Quick Installation Guide:

Check cushion size. Width (X) of the cushion and seat should match. When the cushion rests against arm supports or side-guards, the width may be up to 2.5 cm (1”) wider. Depth (Y) of the cushion and seat should match.
Check if the size of the cover matches the size of the cushion.
Remove protective backing tape from self-adhesive hook strips attached to the bottom of the cushion.
Place cushion by pressing firmly.
Place the O2 Top Cover over the top of the cushion.
Pass the loop at the back of the cushion through the ‘button hole’ in the back of the cover.
Sit on the cushion for a few minutes, to allow the cushion to adapt to your body shape.
If necessary, adjust foot supports.

Alternative cushion covers
Perform the following steps when using the Comfair Cover, Incotec Cover or Reversible Cover.
Please note: The Reversible Cover is delivered with the cool breathable side on the outside. If you require the fluid-resistant side of this cover: first unzip the top section of the cover completely from the bottom section, turn top section inside out and rezip it to the bottom section.

Check cushion size. Width (X) of the cushion and seat should match. When the cushion rests against arm supports or side-guards, the width may be up to 2.5 cm (1”) wider. Depth (Y) of the cushion and seat should match.
Check if the size of the cover matches the size of the cushion.
Remove the hook strips from the bottom of the cushion. Note that the strips confected to the bottom of the cushion cannot be removed.
Insert cushion in cover.
Pass loop through eyelet in cover.
Close zipper. Make sure to not damage the cushion.
Remove protective backing tape from self-adhesive hook strips attached to the cushion cover.
Place cushion by pressing firmly.
Sit on the cushion for a few minutes, to allow the cushion to adapt to your body shape.
If necessary, adjust foot support.

Checking for “bottoming out”:
Image 7 – Quick Installation Guide
Warning! Your tailbone and pelvic bones should not touch the bottom of the cushion. Checking for “bottoming out” should be done during first use and after adjustments to the cushion filling.
Warning! Vicair B.V. recommends to adjust the filling grade under the direct supervision of your therapist or Assistive Technology Professional.

Check for bottoming out, after sitting on the cushion for approximately 5 minutes.
Let your therapist or Assistive Technology Professional slide a hand between your buttocks and the Vicair cushion while leaning forward.
Ask your therapist or Assistive Technology Professional to check if your lowest bony prominences are supported by at least 2,5 cm / 1” of SmartCells. This prevents them from touching the wheelchair seat.
Do not use the cushion if bottoming out occurs. In most cases, adjusting the filling grade of the compartments will solve the problem.

USE

Checking for redness of the skin
Image 8 – Quick Installation Guide
Warning! Check your skin regularly for redness, especially during the first few days. If redness occurs and does not disappear after 15 minutes, consult your therapist or Assistive Technology Professional.

Adjusting the ﬁlling grade
Warning! Vicair B.V. recommends to adjust the filling grade under the direct supervision of your therapist or Assistive Technology Professional.

Ready for use
This Vicair product is ready for use. It has its own unique filling grade, depending on size and model. However – if necessary – the filling grade can be adjusted by removing or adding SmartCells from/to the various compartments. You can find the default filling grade on the label attached to the cushion.

Conditions for use and storage
Caution! Do not use or leave the product close to a naked flame or a high temperature heat source.

User weight:
Minimum: 15 kg / 33 lbs, maximum: 250 kg / 551 lbs
Temperature: Minimum: -20 °C / 4 °F, maximum: 55 °C / 131 °F
Use at high altitude
Notice! Vicair B.V. recommends not to use the cushion above 2400 m (8000 ft) above sea level or below 50 m (164 ft) below sea level. Because each SmartCell is filled with air, the cushion may behave differently when used at high altitude or on an airplane. Under such circumstances, the cushion’s firmness can be adjusted by removing a few cells from each compartment.
Air humidity:
Minimum: 0%, maximum 100%

Daily ﬂuff-up
Vicair B.V. recommends to fluff-up your Vicair cushion before use on a daily basis.

Use of Vicair seat cushions in motor vehicles
Whenever possible, transfer out of the wheelchair and into a car manufacturer- installed vehicle seat without the cushion, and use the vehicle’s crash-tested occupant restraint system.
As an alternative for your Vicair wheelchair cushion, the Vicair Allrounder O2 (which can be fastened to the user’s body) can be used if you require additional protection in a manufacturer-installed vehicle seat during transportation. When the wheelchair is used as the vehicle seat, the applicable rules and regulations with regard to securing the wheelchair and the wheelchair user during transport should be followed.
There is no data available about the influence on safety of a Vicair wheelchair cushion used in a crash-tested wheelchair.

Re-use – Transferring the product to another user
The product is suitable for repeated use. The number of times it can be used depends on how often and in which way the product is used.

The product has to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, before another person is allowed to use it. See chapter ‘Maintenance and cleaning’ for instructions.
Notice! Make sure the product is correctly adjusted to the other person.

Expected lifetime
The expected lifetime of this product is five years when used in accordance with the safety instructions, maintenance intervals and correct use, stated in this manual.
The effective lifetime can vary according to frequency and intensity of use.

Replacing the cushion cover
Under normal use, Vicair B.V. recommends to replace the cushion cover every year. Replacement covers can be purchased separately.

Disposal
The disposal and recycling of used devices and packaging must comply with the applicable legal regulation. Ensure the product is cleaned prior to disposal to avoid any risk of contamination.

MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING

Warning! Every three months, check the product for wear and deflated cells. In case of serious damage, or a large number of deflated cells, do not continue to use the product. Consult your Assistive Technology Professional.
Caution

Do not dry clean, steam clean or autoclave the product. The product cannot withstand excessive heat or pressure. When the given cleaning instructions are not followed, it is very likely that the product and/or the product’s cover will age more rapidly.
Do not use aggressive or abrasive cleaners, or sharp objects to clean the cushion.
Do not place the topside of the Vicair O2 cushion against the glass of the washer door.
Excessive washing may influence the aging of this product.

Cleaning the Vicair Vector O2
Cleaning the Vicair Vector O2 cushion cover The cushion cover can be machine washed. Follow the washing instructions on the label attached to the inside of the cover.
(60 °C=140 °F)

Cleaning the Vicair Vector O2 cushion Your Vicair O2 cushion can be machine washed at 60°C / 140 °F using an anti-crease cycle and mild detergent. You do not need to remove the SmartCells before putting the cushion into the washing machine. Make sure the topside of the cushion is not placed against the glass of the washer door. Do not load the machine with more than half of its maximum load weight. Spin speed should be reduced. When using a machine with agitator, make sure that the cushion can move freely within the drum. Do not use any chlorine bleach and do not dry clean, steam clean or autoclave! Do not tumble dry your Vicair O2 cushion but let it air dry (5-6 hours). You can use the sling to hang dry your Vicair O2 cushion.

Disinfecting your Vicair Vector O2
Warning! In case of soiling with body fluids, and when transferring the product to another user, the product must be disinfected to avoid cross contamination. Clean the cushion and cover as instructed above. Preferably use an antibacterial detergent. After washing spray your cushion and cover with a disinfectant. Bend compartments outwards to make sure the spray gets into the gaps.

REPORTING OF SERIOUS INCIDENTS
Serious incidents from use of Vicair products should be reported to the manufacturer and the relevant competent authority.

WARRANTY

Please see www.vicair.com for complete information on warranty processes, terms and conditions.
Vicair B.V. offers a limited warranty against defects in workmanship and materials, provided the product has been used normally. Any damage arising from abnormal use, or caused by improper handling, cleaning, or negligence, is excluded from this warranty.

Warranty period
From original date of purchase: 24 months. The SmartCells in this Vicair O2 cushion have a lifelong warranty period.
Should a defect in materials or workmanship occur within the above mentioned warranty period, Vicair B.V. will – at its own choice – repair or replace the product free of charge. Remedies for breach of express warranties herein are limited to repair or replacement of the product.

In no event shall damages for breach of any warranty include any consequential damages or exceed the cost of non-conforming goods sold.

Any questions?
Contact Vicair B.V. at info@vicair.com or contact your country’s Vicair distributor.

Thickness Vicair Vector O2 6 = 6 cm / 2,5 inch
Thickness Vicair Vector O2 10 = 10 cm / 4 inch

Available sizes:

Vicair B.V.
Bruynvisweg 5
1531 AX Wormer
The Netherlands
info@vicair.com
www.vicair.com