Peak Pressure
Peak pressures are observed typically at the bony prominences of the head, scapulae, sacrum, trochanteric head, and heels. These pressures are experienced when the support material has lost the ability to redistribute load away from these prominences. As increased pressure compresses the tissues between the surface and the underlying bone, blood flow is shunted away from the area. This results in decreased oxygen perfusion to the underlying tissue and is experienced by the patient initially as discomfort and ultimately as pain.

The original equipment manufacturer table pads used today on MRI or other imaging tables are made of resilient foams which produce uneven pressure distribution and areas of peak pressures. The discomfort associated with peak pressure is a primary reason that patients move during MRI scans. These patients are moving to reduce the pressure forces and thereby allow blood flow and oxygenation back into the body areas that had been deprived.

Patient Comfort Systems’ products automatically allows for dynamic changes in the pressure profile and thus maintains tissue blood flow and oxygenation, resulting in greater patient comfort and significantly less motion.