Measurement and Analysis of Pressure Distribution on the Bed

Abstract

A new measurement system for body pressure on a bed was developed in this study. The thin film pressure sensor (PSR: Force Sensing Resistor) of an elastomer-type was used to prevent the distortion of contact pressure. The pressure distribution was measured by FSR and displayed on the monitor by color-coded contour patterns. The body pressure distribution and the objective data for four beds with different firmness were observed for possible correlation with the subjective evaluation. Ninety-eight occupants subjectively evaluated five beds for a short-term lying session about 1 hour. The pattern of the pressure distribution was analyzed to correlate approximately with the difference between comfortable and uncomfortable bed. The verification test on the recommended bed was performed by other twenty subjects through one week.