Assistive products for tissue integrity

Why test body support surfaces?

Healthy sleep is recreation for body and soul: We spend almost a third of our lives sleeping. A prerequisite for restful sleep is a good mattress that meets various important requirements.

The sleeping comfort of a mattress is influenced by various product characteristics. These characteristics can be measured and analyzed. The test methods developed for this purpose enable an objective and independent evaluation of the mattress. The knowledge gained from this is not only used to characterize finished products, but also, for example, to adapt the mattress to specifically desired features during product development.

Assistive products for tissue integrity (APTI) are defined by the international standard ISO 20342 as "surface designed to interface with the whole body when lying down or adjusted position which is intended to protect body tissue".

Performance characteristics of body support surfaces are verified by determining technical parameters which represent the most important extrinsic factors in pressure ulcer development. Pressure, microclimate (heat and moisture dissipation), shear forces and immersion are seen as the key influencing factors.

Our standardized testing plans relate to the above mentioned parameters. This supports manufacturers to evaluate the characteristics of their product during development. The laboratory tests offer an objective and efficient guide to predict product performance. The test results may be helpful to reveal unknown risks and when designing clinical studies in a target-oriented way.

Berlin Cert offers individually compiled tests for each step of the product development.

Simply contact us – we will put together a suitable testing program for you.
We would be pleased to give you an individual quote.

What should be tested?

Pressure distribution

Whether large or small, light or heavy, stomach, back or side sleeper - a good mattress should individually support the physical characteristics of the person and his or her favorite lying position. Different material layers and zones in the mattress, for example, ensure the distribution of punctual pressure over larger areas, promote a pleasant sleeping posture and avoid unpleasant pressure points.

Durability

A good mattress should last up to 10 years without losing its properties, even after heavy use: the quality of the foam is crucial here.

Surface properties

A good mattress is characterized by providing a stable position, easy change of position and comfortable turning during sleep. It minimizes the unpleasant effect of the mattress and skin shifting against each other during movements, reduces the stress on the tissue layers and thus prevents skin irritation or even tissue damage.

Humidity and heat

A good mattress absorbs body heat and moisture and releases them back into the environment already during the lying phase. This ensures a pleasant and healthy climate. This is because the human body loses about one liter of sweat per night. In combination with excessive humidity, this can lead to an unhealthy sleeping climate. In addition to the negative influence on well-being, these unfavorable conditions can also lead to an accumulation of diseases of the skin and respiratory tract.

Test program

Our test program covers the main features of a mattress that have a significant influence on sleeping and lying comfort.