Choosing the right wheelchair cushion is a very important decision. The cushion’s shape and type of material it is made from have an impact on the way your body is positioned and supported. But did you know that, since your body and skin are in direct contact with the cushion at all times, the type of fabric they are covered with matters greatly as well?
NXT Seating has been creating wheelchair cushions and back supports for over 20 years. The NXT team develops highly functional wheelchair seating and positioning products with the users’ comfort as a top-of-mind priority.
Among the NXT product line, which includes cushions as well as thoracic and pelvic back supports, the BioFit wheelchair cushion stands out. It has been especially designed for users at medium to high risk of skin breakdown. It features advanced technologies and an innovative fabric that help prevent pressure injuries and other positioning related complications.
Keep on reading for more information, photos and graphs!
The BioFit cushion incorporates two comfort-oriented technologies: smartGEL Infused Visco Technology and smartX3 fabric. When used together, they transform the BioFit wheelchair cushion into a comfort and breathability powerhouse.
What is smartGEL?
The BioFit’s foam cushion base is composed of three different types of foam. The top layer is a foam that has been infused with gel. It means that the gel has been incorporated in the foam mixture. This technology, called smartGEL, reduces the temperature at the surface of the cushion, which is a definite plus to help you get on with your day comfortably.
What is smartx3D?
The smartX3D fabric is a new addition to the NXT Cushions and Back Supports. It is a fabric technology often referred to as “spacer fabric.” You may have crossed paths with similar fabric on car seats or athletic shoes. It is composed of two layers of fabric separated by a small thread that creates space in between the two fabrics. This “empty space” is the third dimension that allows the air to flow and drives moisture away from the body.
There’s more! For the cushion’s benefits to “reach” the wheelchair user, the cover’s material has a key role to play. The NXT BioFit’s smart3D fabric has a 4-way stretch capacity. This means that it truly envelops your body. This envelopment process allows you to immerse into the cushion contours allowing for pressure to be distributed evenly, which reduces injury.
The NXT cushion base is divided in three different layers of foam. They each have their different level of firmness and have a specific role to play in the wheelchair’s user conform at positioning.
The first layer is a firm molded foam. It has been specifically perforated in strategic places to support the ischial/sacral area to prevent sliding and shear while maintaining pelvic positioning. This perforation technique is called “selective immersion technology.” It provides immersion and lower pressures to the bony prominences while supporting surrounding areas that can take a higher load.
The middle layer is a medium-density foam that adds to the positioning support and immersion.
Finally, the top layer is a soft gel infused foam called SmartGEL. As mentioned in Reason #1, it helps immersion and contouring, as well as reduces heat. 
Reason #3: The NXT BioFit’s curvy shape supports your body in all the right places and prevents sliding forward.
While looking at a BioFit NXT cushion, you’ll notice it’s all curves. The shape of the BioFit NXT wheelchair cushion has been designed to provide you with the best seating experience possible. Every line plays a specific role in positioning your body and supporting your posture.
Like any components on your wheelchair, the fit of your cushion is all about precision. The BioFit cushion is available in so many sizes that you are sure to find one that will fit your body and will best fit your need.
NXT Seating has been creating wheelchair cushions and back supports for over 20 years. The NXT team led by Tony Persaud, a wheelchair user himself, has been developing highly-functional wheelchair seating products with the users’ comfort as a top-of-mind priority.
Tony Persaud, NXT Seating's Founder.
The NXT brand has been created by Tony Persaud. Tony has a very acute sense of what it means to use mobility aids equipment. Even since a spinal cord injury in 1986, he has been using a wheelchair. Following his injury, he started working in the wheelchair industry. Inspired by his professional experience in the wheelchair community and his day-to-day experience, he decided to create his own seating and positioning products and founded his own company. Dynamic Health Care Solutions was born. For the past twenty years or so, Tony has been conceiving and selling wheelchair back supports and cushions. He has always been involved in all aspects of product research and development.
Since July 2019, Dynamic is part of the Motion Composites family. Today, Tony is Motion’s Composites Seating and Positioning Product Director. He continues to oversee all NXT activities and is still 100% involved in the NXT Seating product development.
The NXT Seating Cushions and Back Supports have recently gone through a redesign, resulting in a chic and stylish fresh new look.
You can find more information on the NXT Wheelchair Cushions and Back Support here. Remember the best way to avoid problems related to pressure injuries is to understand their causes and your role in a skin-management program. Because of their crucial positioning function, your needs in terms of seating products should be discussed in partnership with your therapist and physician.
