Half Moon Positioning Cushion - Lightweight Micro-Bead Support for Pressure Care & Postural Stability.
- Micro-Bead Fill Conforms to Body Contours for Pressure and Friction Reduction - the Half Moon Cushion is filled with lightweight polystyrene micro-beads that flow and redistribute under body contact to match the specific contours of the resident's body at the contact zone; unlike foam or gel, micro-beads conform dynamically to the contact surface without spring-back, maintaining the conformed shape as the resident remains in position; this high conformability reduces friction between the cushion and the skin surface and reduces the concentrated pressure at bony prominence contact zones, both of which are key contributing mechanisms to pressure ulcer development per NICE CG179.
- Stabilises the Pelvis in Semi-Fowler and Dorsal Positions - in the semi-Fowler position (30-45 degree head elevation with the resident lying on their back), the pelvis tends to slide toward the foot of the bed under gravity if not supported; the Half Moon Cushion placed under the pelvis and buttocks provides a conforming support surface that prevents this forward slide, maintaining the pelvis in correct alignment and distributing the seated load across the maximum contact area; this both reduces pressure at the sacrum and coccyx and maintains the resident in the intended position for clinical purposes.
- Relieves Pressure on Elbows - Strap for Secure Placement - the cushion can be positioned under the elbows to provide offloading at the elbow contact zone, where residents in bed spend extended periods with the elbows resting on the mattress; the strap provides an additional fixing mechanism to hold the cushion in its intended position during repositioning and during the resident's natural movements in bed.
- 1350x850mm - Wheelchair Compatible - MDR Class I - NICE CG179 - dimensions 1350 x 850mm; the large surface area accommodates the full pelvic and lumbar contact zone; also used in wheelchairs for seated pelvic posture control; MDR 2017/745 Class I positioning device; selected following occupational therapist assessment per NICE CG179; SWL must be assessed by the prescribing clinician; product code NCL-P9705B1HW.
Half Moon Positioning Cushion - Micro-Bead Fill - Pelvis and Elbow Offloading - 1350x850mm
The Half Moon Positioning Cushion uses lightweight polystyrene micro-bead fill to conform dynamically to the resident's body contours, reducing friction and pressure at the contact zone during semi-Fowler, dorsal, and wheelchair positioning. Stabilises the pelvis in semi-Fowler positions to prevent sacral loading. Provides elbow offloading. Strap for secure placement during repositioning. Dimensions: 1350 x 850mm. MDR 2017/745 Class I positioning device. Selected following occupational therapist assessment per NICE CG179.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fill Material | Ultra-lightweight polystyrene micro-beads |
| Dimensions | 1350 x 850mm |
| Clinical Positions | Semi-Fowler; dorsal; wheelchair |
| Offloading Function | Pelvis stabilisation; elbow pressure reduction; friction and shear reduction |
| Securing Feature | Strap for positional security |
| Reference | NCL-P9705B1HW |
| Clinical Risk Level | Per NICE CG179 assessment |
| Regulatory Status | MDR 2017/745 Class I medical device |
Regulatory Compliance
The Half Moon Positioning Cushion is a Class I medical device under MDR 2017/745. Clinical selection and positioning method require occupational therapist assessment per NICE CG179, with the specific positioning indication, product dimensions, and strap protocol documented in the care plan. The cushion must be included in the MHRA bed safety assessment where its use changes the contact geometry of the resident's position on the mattress. Equipment register records and MDR conformity documentation must be maintained for CQC Regulation 12 compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the semi-Fowler position increase sacral pressure risk, and how does the Half Moon Cushion address this?
In the semi-Fowler position, the head of the bed is raised to 30-45 degrees while the resident lies on their back. The gravitational component of the resident's body weight is now partially directed down the incline of the mattress toward the foot of the bed; friction between the skin and the mattress resists this slide, but the combination of the downward load and the friction force creates shear stress at the sacral skin surface, where the skin and underlying tissue are pulled in different directions. If the resident's body does slide toward the foot of the bed, the pelvis rotates posteriorly into sacral sitting, concentrating load on the sacrum and coccyx. The Half Moon Cushion addresses both mechanisms: its conforming micro-bead surface distributes the load at the pelvic contact zone more evenly, reducing peak interface pressure at the ischial tuberosities and sacrum; and its volumetric presence beneath the pelvis provides a three-dimensional stop that reduces the tendency for the pelvis to slide and rotate, maintaining the resident in the intended semi-Fowler posture with the ischial tuberosities - rather than the sacrum - bearing the primary load.
How does the micro-bead fill compare to foam or gel in terms of pressure redistribution and cleaning?
Micro-bead fill provides a different redistribution mechanism from both foam and gel. Foam redistributes pressure through compression and elastic spring-back; gel through viscous flow; micro-beads through a free-particle rearrangement where the individual beads shift position to fill voids and support contours without compressing or flowing in the manner of a fluid. The result is a very low interface pressure because the micro-beads rearrange under the body to increase the contact surface area progressively, similar to the way sand or fine granules settle around an object placed on them. The micro-bead surface also generates lower friction at the skin contact surface compared to a foam surface because the surface layer of beads can shift microscopically under the skin, reducing the shear stress generated by position changes. For cleaning, the micro-bead cushion's cover must be removed for laundering - the micro-bead fill itself must not be washed and must be kept dry; the cover material determines the washable temperature, which the prescribing clinician must confirm meets the care setting's IPC requirements before selecting the cushion.
NCL-P9705B1HW
- Micro-Bead Fill Conforms to Body Contours for Pressure and Friction Reduction - the Half Moon Cushion is filled with lightweight polystyrene micro-beads that flow and redistribute under body contact to match the specific contours of the resident's body at the contact zone; unlike foam or gel, micro-beads conform dynamically to the contact surface without spring-back, maintaining the conformed shape as the resident remains in position; this high conformability reduces friction between the cushion and the skin surface and reduces the concentrated pressure at bony prominence contact zones, both of which are key contributing mechanisms to pressure ulcer development per NICE CG179.
- Stabilises the Pelvis in Semi-Fowler and Dorsal Positions - in the semi-Fowler position (30-45 degree head elevation with the resident lying on their back), the pelvis tends to slide toward the foot of the bed under gravity if not supported; the Half Moon Cushion placed under the pelvis and buttocks provides a conforming support surface that prevents this forward slide, maintaining the pelvis in correct alignment and distributing the seated load across the maximum contact area; this both reduces pressure at the sacrum and coccyx and maintains the resident in the intended position for clinical purposes.
- Relieves Pressure on Elbows - Strap for Secure Placement - the cushion can be positioned under the elbows to provide offloading at the elbow contact zone, where residents in bed spend extended periods with the elbows resting on the mattress; the strap provides an additional fixing mechanism to hold the cushion in its intended position during repositioning and during the resident's natural movements in bed.
- 1350x850mm - Wheelchair Compatible - MDR Class I - NICE CG179 - dimensions 1350 x 850mm; the large surface area accommodates the full pelvic and lumbar contact zone; also used in wheelchairs for seated pelvic posture control; MDR 2017/745 Class I positioning device; selected following occupational therapist assessment per NICE CG179; SWL must be assessed by the prescribing clinician; product code NCL-P9705B1HW.