EP4225246A1

EP4225246A1 - Device for supporting a part of a human body

Info

Publication number: EP4225246A1
Application number: EP21801597.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bertrand Daval; Christophe Le Clerc; Mathieu Girard; Gilles Touati
Original assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA
Current assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA
Priority date: 2020-10-12
Filing date: 2021-10-08
Publication date: 2023-08-16
Also published as: US20230372177A1; WO2022079376A1; FR3114966B1; FR3114966A1; CA3191234A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for supporting a part of a human body. According to the invention, the device consists of a first element forming a pneumatic cavity comprising a valve, said pneumatic cavity being maintained at a pressure less than 0.04 bar under load and at least the surface of the at least one first element coming into contact with the part of a human body is covered with a "3D spacer" fabric.

Description

DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING PART OF A HUMAN BODY

The present invention relates to a device for supporting a part of a human body in a stationary position. Although not limited to this type of application, the invention will be more particularly described with reference to the case of patients in a hospital environment when they must keep at least part of their body in an immobile position resting on a support.

[0002] Other types of applications are, for example, seats for people who have to remain immobilized for long periods of time on armchairs or even, for example, seats for wheelchairs.

[0003] In many situations, hospitalized patients, whether they are in a room or in the operating room, must remain lying down without moving. Whatever the quality of the mattress, it appears that the pressures exerted by the weight of the patient between the bones and the areas of support on the skin and the flesh lead to necrosis or bedsores.

[0004] Such inconveniences can actually be observed after surgeries lasting several hours when the patient must be held in a position on a few support points. These inconveniences can also appear in patients who are hospitalized for long periods.

[0005] A technique currently used in hospitals consists of the use of foam or gel wedges to improve pressure distribution.

[0006] It turns out that these devices are cumbersome to store and can still lead to bedsores due to the pressure exerted on the skin and flesh.

[0007] The document US 2009056030 describes a mattress for a hospital bed associated with an air circulation system making it possible to ventilate the surface of the skin of the patient lying in bed to reduce the risk of bedsores, by evacuating the heat and humidity. This is a complex and expensive device.

[0008] Document US 2017065473 describes a more economical inflatable wedge system, to support a patient, whose inflation varies regularly and which also provides for ventilating the surface of the skin. [0009] Although the latter system is more economical, it is not considered sufficient to avoid the risk of bedsores forming and remains limited to certain uses.

[0010] The inventors have thus set themselves the task of proposing a support device for a part of a human body, whatever it may be, which is simple to implement, whose manufacturing costs are limited and which makes it possible to reduce the risk of appearance of lesions or bedsores.

This object has been achieved according to the invention by a device for supporting a part of a human body, said device consisting of at least a first element forming a pneumatic cavity, said pneumatic cavity comprising a valve, said pneumatic cavity being maintained at a pressure of less than 0.04 bar under load and at least the surface of said at least one first element coming into contact with said part of a human body being covered with a “3D spacer” fabric.

[0012] Within the meaning of the invention, a load pressure corresponds to the pressure measured when the part of the human body is resting on the support device.

[0013] Within the meaning of the invention, "3D spacer" fabrics are fabrics produced in three dimensions of the "XD Spacer Fabrics" type marketed by the company Baltex or the "3MESH SPACER FABRIC" marketed by the company Muller and which are already used in medical applications. These three-dimensional fabrics have the advantage of ensuring ventilation at the surface of the skin of the human body in contact with the support module. Such fabrics are for example described in the documents US 2018187348, EP 1347087, EP 2408957, WO 2012098130.

[0014] Such “3D spacer” fabrics can be woven or knitted fabrics, consisting of two walls connected to one another by one or more filaments. These filaments can be of different types: polyester, polyamide, polypropylene or cotton. These filaments can be used raw but also sized or coated to modify the touch or limit the development of viruses or bacteria. These filaments have a certain resilience which is conferred on them by their diameter greater than 30 microns, preferably greater than 100 microns and with a density and a pattern adapted to support the compression forces; they thus give the “3D spacer” fabric a buckling stress, that is to say a resistance to compression or resistance to buckling of these filaments. [0015] Advantageously, the “3D spacer” fabric has a buckling stress greater than the inflation pressure of the pneumatic cavity.

[0016] Within the meaning of the invention, the buckling stress of the fabric is the stress perpendicular to the mean plane of the fabric which places the filaments connecting the two surfaces in buckling. Beyond this constraint, the two surfaces of the fabric come very close together and can no longer fulfill their role of ventilation.

[0017] The mean plane of the fabric corresponds to the surface of the fabric when the latter is laid flat.

[0018] The buckling stress is measured according to the ISO 3386-1 standard.

[0019] Also advantageously, the buckling stress of the “3D spacer” fabric is less than 0.2 bar.

[0020] Such buckling stresses make it possible to combine the ventilation of the skin of the human body and the comfort of support.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the "3D spacer" fabric is less than 10 mm.

Preferably according to the invention, the air permeability of the “3D spacer” fabric is greater than 1000 l/dm ² xmin under a pressure of 1 mbar.

[0023] The permeability of the fabric is measured according to the ISO 9237 standard.

According to a first variant embodiment of the invention, the first element of the device for supporting a part of a human body advantageously consists of a sheet of thermoplastic polymer preferably having a modulus of elasticity under tension at 10% elongation less than 20 MPa, said sheet of thermoplastic polymer being folded and heat-sealed at its edges.

According to a second variant embodiment of the invention, the first element of the device for supporting a part of a human body is advantageously made up of at least two sheets of thermoplastic polymer preferably having a modulus of elasticity under tension at 10% elongation of less than 20 MPa, said at least two sheets of thermoplastic polymer being heat-sealed edge to edge.

[0026] The measurements of moduli of elasticity under tension at 10% elongation are carried out according to the DIN 53504 standard. The heat sealing of the thermoplastic polymer sheets can in particular be carried out by ultrasound, conduction or high frequency.

Preferably, the sheet or sheets of thermoplastic polymer have a modulus of elasticity under tension at 10% elongation of less than 10 MPa.

[0029] More preferably, the sheet or sheets of thermoplastic polymer have a thickness of less than 1 mm and more preferably less than 0.5 mm.

[0030] Such a material allows, in known manner, the simple production of an element having a sealed cavity that can be pressurized. A particularly suitable material is a thermoplastic polyurethane. It is possible to produce heat seals by bringing the sheet locally to the melting temperature. The rigid properties of the sheet will help to reduce the risk of pressure sores when it comes into contact with the skin.

[0031] When the first element consists of at least two sheets of thermoplastic polymer, the sheet or sheets of thermoplastic polymer which do not come into contact with the skin of the human body are advantageously reinforced. This reinforcement can be based on fibers or fabrics and leads to a sheet of thermoplastic polymer that is more rigid than that having a modulus of elasticity under tension at 10% elongation of less than 20 MPa.

According to the invention, the valve of said first element makes it possible to maintain the pressure under load required under the effect of the weight of the part of the human body which comes to bear, and the possible pressure control during of the use of the device.

The valve is advantageously positioned to be made accessible in use and not to be able to come into contact with the human body.

[0034] The valve is advantageously still a flap valve to provide the best seal.

The inflation pressure of the first element is advantageously greater than 0.005 bar under the weight of the human body.

[0036] The inflation of the first element of the device for supporting a part of a human body is advantageously carried out with an inert and/or purified gas to avoid any risk of additional infection in the event of an accident on one modules leading to a leak, in particular during use in the hospital environment. Preferably according to the invention, the first element is maintained at a pressure less than or equal to 0.03 bar under the weight of a part of the human body.

According to a variant embodiment of the invention, the device for supporting a part of the human body comprises a second element supporting the first element, the second element preferably consisting of a deformable structure and preferably comprising means for stabilizing the first element.

The deformable nature of the structure constituting the second element of the support device for a part of the human body contributes to the patient's comfort and to the reduction of the risk of pressure sores appearing.

[0040] Advantageously according to the invention, the second element of the device for supporting a part of a human body consists of several superimposable parts. The production of a second element in several parts makes it possible first of all to be able to modify the volume and the height of this second element to allow a simple adaptation of the device to the size of the human body which must be supported or more simply to a type position; if for some reason it is necessary to raise the part of the body to be supported, just add one or more parts to obtain the desired dimension.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the second element of the device for supporting a part of the human body is at least partially made up of a polymer foam having a compressive stiffness of between 5 KPa and 50 Kpa. .

[0042] The compression stiffness is measured according to the ISO 3386/1 standard.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second element of the device for supporting a part of the human body consists at least partially of a pneumatic cavity, said cavity of said second element comprising a valve and said cavity said second element being maintained at a pressure of between 0.05 and 1 bar under the weight of the human body.

According to other embodiments of the invention, the second element of the device for supporting a part of the human body may comprise an element comprising a pneumatic cavity associated with one or more other non-pneumatic elements. It may for example be one of the superimposable elements described above. Such a variant can make it possible to create a substantial volume only after the installation of the part of the human body to be supported and thus facilitate this positioning, the pneumatic part not yet being inflated when the human body is positioned and the volume of the second element therefore being reduced in comparison with its volume in use.

The device for supporting a part of a human body thus described according to the invention makes it possible to support said part of the human body in a desired position by reducing the risk of appearance of bedsores in the areas of contact with the support device.

[0046] The inventors have been able to demonstrate that holding the first element of the support device for a part of a human body at the chosen pressure under load, said first element being covered on its surface coming into contact with the human body of a “3D spacer” fabric reduces the risk of pressure sores appearing.

The inventors have effectively shown that at such pressures it is possible to support a part of a human body for long periods of time without seeing the appearance of necrosis or scars that are difficult to treat.

[0048] The presence of a "3D spacer" fabric, advantageously having characteristics such as those described above, in contact with the skin of the supported part of the body also allows moisture and heat to be evacuated and contributes thus preserving the skin which comes into contact with the support device.

The first element of the device for supporting a part of a human body advantageously consisting of at least one sheet of thermoplastic polymer having a modulus of elasticity under tension at 10% elongation of less than 20 MPa, and preferably less than 10 MPa is achieved in a simple and inexpensive manner.

[0050] The choice of this thin and deformable material makes it possible to marry the supported part of the human body and therefore to optimize the contact surface between the first element and the part of the human body. The low inflation pressure of the first element, advantageously made with one or more sheets of thermoplastic polymer, also leads to a contact pressure on the part of the human body supported that is as homogeneous as possible.

[0051] In addition, the production of heat-sealable material of this first element of the device for supporting a part of a human body allows obtaining a shape relatively precise. It is possible by heat sealing to define the shape of the first element with such precision that the support device can come to rest on selected areas of the part of the human body in an optimal manner. In fact, the inventors were able to show that they could obtain shapes to bear on the chosen zones of the part of the human body and thus ensure its support at the load pressure indicated below 0.04 bars.

[0052] Moreover, when the device for supporting a part of a human body is made with a second element, it is advantageously possible to separate the functions. On the one hand, the second element provides the volume necessary to position the part of the human body as desired as well as the rigidity to ensure stability. On the other hand, the first element whose volume is reduced can be easily maintained at the chosen pressure and carried out with even more precision to rest on the part of the human body at the desired locations.

The second element is also advantageously provided with means for stabilizing the first element in the desired position and thus makes it possible on the one hand to guarantee the desired supports and on the other hand to guarantee the stability of these supports. These means can be directly linked to the shape of the second element which can be provided to receive the first element and prevent its displacement, in particular in the presence of the part of the human body. It is still possible to provide attachment systems between the first and second elements; these may be, for example, systems of the mechanical fastening type using textile hooks and loops, marketed under the "velcro" brand, which are easy to use and allow adjustable positioning, or any other type of fastening such as clips, zips, buttons pressure, . ..

The low costs for producing the support device according to the invention also allow the provision of devices of different sizes or shapes for better adaptation according to the part of the human body to be supported or even to adapt to the height or build of the human body. This choice of sizes of the support device further optimizes the positioning of the support points of the part of the human body to be supported.

According to a variant embodiment of the invention, the “3D spacer” fabric is provided to be removable and separable from the first element in order to be able to be properly cleaned and/or changed regularly. [0056] It is still possible to provide a cover made with the “3D spacer” fabric enveloping the entire first element forming the pneumatic cavity and intended to come into contact with the part of the human body or even in the case of the presence of the second element, a cover enveloping the entire support device. In all cases, these covers are designed to be removable so that they can be properly cleaned and/or changed regularly. In the case of a cover which envelops the first and second elements of the support device, the cover advantageously contributes to stabilizing the two elements together.

As explained above, the first element can be made with one or more sheets of thermoplastic polymer.

In the case of a sheet of thermoplastic polymer which is folded or else in the case of two sheets of thermoplastic polymer, the first element can take the form of a cushion, the or both sheets of thermoplastic polymer being heat-sealed at their periphery. Additional heat sealing can also make it possible to create a recess leading to a buoy shape. Heat sealing can be done by ultrasound, conduction or high frequency.

[0059] One or more heat seals can also make it possible to limit the area forming a pneumatic cavity and thus make it possible to reduce or even eliminate bearing areas on the part of the human body supported.

[0060] The first element of the support device for a part of a human body can also take the form of a tube. It can be made with a sheet of thermoplastic polymer heat-sealed along its length to form a tube. Its ends are either heat-sealed to form a carton-like shape, or closed by two additional thermoplastic polymer sheets heat-sealed to seal said ends.

According to other variant embodiments of the invention, the device for supporting a part of a human body can be placed on a plate of great rigidity to confer better stability on the support device.

[0062] Such plates are, for example, plates already used in the hospital world marketed under the "KOMACEL" brand. [0063] The invention as it has just been described, in addition to its advantages in terms of reducing the risk of pressure sores appearing, has several advantages, in particular related to the inflatable nature of the constituent elements of a support device for part of a human body. Indeed, on the one hand, the use of inflatable elements makes it possible to reduce their volumes when they are not used or before use and thus facilitate their storage. Associated with this gain in volume, it becomes possible to store a large number and variety of these elements and thus to have at any time the model best suited to the situation, particularly in terms of variety of shapes. On the other hand, when a second constituent element of the device for supporting a part of a human body is also an inflatable element, in addition to the aforementioned advantages, it becomes possible for the operators to reduce the volume of this second element one of the functions is in particular to provide volume, and thus facilitate manipulation of a part of a human body. This is particularly important for patients for whom it is regularly necessary to move the supported part; reducing the volume of the second, which is the most voluminous, facilitates such an operation.

[0064] The invention also proposes a method for supporting a part of a human body implementing the device as it has just been described according to which, in a first step, the cavity of at least a first element of the device for supporting a part of the human body is partially filled with air, in a second step, the part of the human body is placed on said first element and in a third step, the pressure of said cavity of the first element of a device for supporting a part of the human body is regulated at a pressure of less than 0.04 bar.

According to an advantageous variant of the invention, the device for supporting a part of the human body comprising a second element forming at least partially a pneumatic cavity, in a fourth step of the method for supporting a part of a human body , the pressure of said cavity of the second element of a device for supporting a part of the human body is regulated at a pressure of between 0.05 and 1 bar.

Other advantageous details and characteristics of the invention will emerge below from the description of the embodiments of the invention with reference to Figures 1 to 10 which represent: Figure 1, a schematic representation in perspective of a first embodiment of a support device according to the invention, Figure 2, a partial schematic representation in section of the support device of Figure 1, Figure 3, a representation schematic of an example of a constituent part of the support device of figure 1, figure 4, a schematic representation of an example of another constituent part of the support device of figure 1, figure 5, a schematic representation of another embodiment of a constituent part of a support device according to the invention, FIG. 6, a diagrammatic representation in perspective of a second embodiment of a first element of a support device according to the invention, FIG. 7, a schematic representation in perspective of a third embodiment of a first element of a support device according to the invention, FIG. 8, a representation sc hematic in perspective of an embodiment of a support device comprising a first element as shown in Figure 7 and a first embodiment of a second element, Figure 9, a schematic representation in perspective of a second embodiment of a second element of a support device as represented in figure 8, figure 10, a diagrammatic representation in perspective of a third embodiment of a second element of a support device such as shown in figure 8.

The figures are not shown to scale to simplify understanding.

In Figure 1, the support device consists of a first element 1 which has the shape of a cushion. It consists of two sheets of thermoplastic polyurethane 2 and 3, marketed under the name Tuftane TFL-1E having a secant elongation modulus equal to 9.8 MPa at 10% elongation heat-welded to their periphery. These two sheets of thermoplastic polyurethane 2 and 3 are heat-sealed at their periphery to form a cavity 4, visible in figure 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view in partial section of this first element 1 covered on its surface intended to come into contact with the skin with a “3D spacer” fabric 5, marketed under the name Muller Textil T5683. This "3D spacer" fabric 5 is held on the outer surface of the thermoplastic polyurethane sheet 2 by a cotton cover 6 which covers the outer surface of the thermoplastic polyurethane sheet 3.

On the underside which is not intended to come into contact with the skin of the human body, is shown a valve 7, visible in Figures 1 and 2, which makes it possible to adjust the pressure of the first element forming a pneumatic cavity.

Such a support device consisting of a first element 1 in the form of a cushion is more particularly suitable, for example, for supporting a head or part of an arm or else, with well-adapted dimensions, to form a seat covering a seat.

[0071] Figures 3 and 4 respectively illustrate the two thermoplastic polyurethane sheets 2 and 3. In Figure 4, the thermoplastic polyurethane sheet 3 intended to form the surface that does not come into contact with the skin has a hole 8 for the valve passage 7.

To form the first element 1, these two sheets of thermoplastic polyurethane 2 and 3 are advantageously of the same shape to be easily heat-sealed to each other at their periphery and form the cavity 4.

[0073] Figure 5 illustrates another way of forming a first element 1. This is a single thermoplastic polyurethane sheet 9 whose shape has an axis of symmetry 10. The thermoplastic polyurethane sheet 9 can be folded along this axis and heat-sealed along its sides to form a cavity. The thermoplastic polyurethane sheet 9 is further provided with a hole 11 to allow the passage of a valve.

[0074] FIG. 6 illustrates another type of embodiment of a device for supporting a part of a human body consisting of a first element 12 forming a pneumatic cavity which has the shape of a tube closed at its two ends by heat sealing. This tube is made with a sheet of thermoplastic polyurethane marketed under the name Tuftane TFL-1E having a secant elongation modulus equal to 9.8 MPa at 10% elongation. This is rolled and heat-welded along its length to form a cylinder, the weld being advantageously made on the inside so as not to create an aggressive relief on the outer surface of the tube forming the pneumatic cavity of this first element. The ends 13 of the cylinder are then heat sealed to give the appearance of a carton shape. A valve 14 is present to ensure the pressurization of this first element 12 of the support device.

This first element 12 is still wrapped in a cover or envelope consisting of a “3D spacer fabric” marketed under the name Muller Textil T5683.

Such a support device consisting of a first element 12 in the form of a tube is more particularly suitable, for example, for supporting part of a leg or an arm.

Figure 7 illustrates a support device whose first element 15 has a cylindrical shape similar to that of the first element of Figure 6 and which can be made in the same way. An additional step during manufacture consists in heat sealing a central zone 16 which is thus flattened to form two parts 17a, 17b which can be folded towards each other to form a V shape. In its central part, the first element 15 of the device retains a passage zone 18 to ensure equalization of the pressures of the parts 17a and 17b. A valve 19 is still present to ensure the pressurization of this first element 15 of the support device.

This first element 15 is still wrapped in a cover or envelope consisting of a “3D spacer” fabric marketed under the name Muller Textil T5683.

[0080] Figure 8 shows a support device consisting of the first element 15 and a second element 20 having a V-shape. The second element 20 is made with a foam marketed by the company Recticel under the brand "Situseal" with reference T 46065 having a compression stiffness of between 8 and 12 KPa. This second element 20, more rigid, imposes a V-shape on the first element 15, designed to accept it as explained above, when a part of a human body is supported.

According to a variant embodiment of the invention, the cover or envelope consisting of a "3D spacer" fabric marketed under the name Muller Textil T5683 could wrap the assembly consisting of the first element 15 and the second element 20.

According to a preferred variant embodiment of the invention, the second element 20 represented in FIG. 8 can be replaced by a second inflatable element 20b, as illustrated in FIG. 9. This second element 20b is designed to present a shape similar to the second part 20 represented in FIG. 8, once maintained under pressure under the weight of the human body. FIG. 9 thus describes a second element 20b having a V shape with two branches 21b and 22b separated by a flattened area 23b. Such an inflatable element 20b is easily made with thermoplastic polyurethane sheets by heat-sealing the sheets and adding heat-sealed thermoplastic polyurethane sheets to each of the branches 21b and 22b to form internal walls in the cavity of each of the branches to obtain surfaces relatively flat to receive the first element 15. These heat-sealed walls are put in place before the sealing of each of the branches 21b and 22b by other heat-sealed thermoplastic polyurethane sheets.

[0083] Figure 10 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment similar to that shown in Figure 9. The second element 20c is once again an inflatable element whose branches 21c and 22c are made by a succession of beads forming a structure in V intended to receive the first element 15 of the pelvis support. Such a beaded structure is easily produced by heat sealing internal walls.

[0084] Achievements such as those of Figures 9 and 10 are particularly practical because they take up little space in storage, since no element is inflated. Furthermore, they allow, as in the case of the embodiment of Figure 8, to provide a large volume if necessary and rigidity to stabilize the support device consisting of the first and second elements, the second element being regulated at a load pressure of between 0.05 and 1 bar. The volume of the first element 15 can thus be reduced to its minimum in order to allow it to properly fit the part of the human body supported with a pressure of less than 0.04 bar under load.

[0085] Tests were carried out with a support device comprising a first element 1 as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and a second element not shown in the figures. This second element has a geometry identical to that of the first element and forms a pneumatic cavity.

This support device is designed to support an arm which comes to rest on the support device. [0087] During their storage, the first and second elements are completely deflated and are completely flat; their size is therefore reduced to a minimum.

[0088] Before the positioning of the arm, the first element and the second element are partially filled with the inflation gas so as to detach the walls of the pneumatic cavities. The arm is placed on the support device and each of the first and second pneumatic elements is brought to and maintained at the desired support pressure.

[0090] The pressures determined in this case for optimum support to reduce the risk of pressure sores appearing and providing pneumatic support are as follows: [0091] The pressures are given in the following table for each of the elements of the support device:

Claims

1 - Device for supporting a part of a human body characterized in that said device consists of a first element (1) forming a pneumatic cavity (4), in that said pneumatic cavity (4) comprises a valve (7), in that said pneumatic cavity (4) is maintained at a pressure of less than 0.04 bar under load and in that at least the surface of said at least one first element (1) coming into contact with said part of a human body is covered with a "3D spacer" fabric (5).

2- Device for supporting a part of a human body, according to claim 1, characterized in that the buckling stress of the "3D spacer" tissue (5) is greater than the inflation pressure of the pneumatic cavity (4 ).

3- Device for supporting a part of a human body, according to claim 2, characterized in that the buckling stress of the "3D spacer" fabric (5) is less than 0.2 bar.

4- Support device for a part of a human body, according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the thickness of the fabric "3D spacer" (5) is less than 10 mm.

5- Device for supporting a part of a human body, according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the permeability of the "3D spacer" tissue (4) is greater than 1000 l/dm ² xmin under a pressure of 1 mbar.

6- Device for supporting a part of a human body according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said first element (1, 12) consists of a sheet of thermoplastic polymer preferably having a modulus of elasticity under tension at 10% elongation of less than 20 MPa and in that said sheet of thermoplastic polymer is folded and welded at its edges.

7- Device for supporting a part of a human body according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said first element (1,) consists of at least two sheets of thermoplastic polymer (2, 3 ) preferably having a modulus of elasticity under tension at 10% elongation of less than 20 MPa and in that said at least two sheets of thermoplastic polymer are welded edge to edge.

8- Device for supporting a part of a human body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one second element (20, 20b, 20c), in that said at least one second element (20, 20b, 20c) consists of a deformable structure and in that said at least one second element (20, 20b, 20c) comprises means for stabilizing the first element (1 , 12, 15).

9- Device for supporting a part of a human body according to claim 8, characterized in that said second element (20b, 20c) is at least partially constituted by a cavity, in that said cavity of said second element ( 20b, 20c) comprises a valve and in that said cavity of said second element (20b, 20c) is maintained at a pressure of between 0.05 and 1 bar under load.

10 - Method for supporting a part of a human body implementing the device as described according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that in a first step the cavity (4) of at least a first element (1, 12, 15) of a device for supporting a part of the human body is partially filled with air, in that, in a second step, the part of the human body is placed on said first element (1, 12, 15) and in that, in a third step, the pressure of said cavity (4) of the first element (1, 12, 15) of a device for supporting a part of the human body is regulated to a pressure less than 0.04 bar.

11 - Process for supporting a part of a human body according to claim 10, the device for supporting a part of the human body comprising a second element (20b, 20c) forming at least partially a pneumatic cavity, characterized in that, in a fourth step, the pressure of said cavity of the second element (20b, 20c) of a device for supporting a part of the human body is regulated to a pressure of between 0.05 and 1 bar.