Why Extra-Wide 24-Inch Bariatric Gel-and-Foam Cushion for Wider Wheelchair Seating?

Bariatric wheelchairs with 22-inch and 24-inch seat widths serve a substantial and growing population of higher-weight wheelchair users whose body dimensions require wider chair configurations — these users face the same clinical pressure injury risk at ischial tuberosities, coccyx, and posterior thighs as narrower-chair users, but standard 18-inch and 20-inch cushions leave significant lateral seat pan areas uncovered, allowing direct contact between the user's lateral thighs, hips, and outer buttocks with the uncovered chair seat frame. Inadequate lateral coverage in wider-seat users creates particularly serious clinical consequences: the broader seated surface of larger-framed users distributes weight across a wider contact zone than narrower users, meaning lateral coverage gaps expose proportionally more body surface to uncovered frame contact, creating multiple high-pressure zones at the lateral margins rather than the single-zone pressure concentration standard cushions create in average-framed users. The 24-inch format provides full lateral coverage across the complete seated contact width of bariatric wheelchair users, eliminating frame contact at lateral margins and maintaining therapeutic foam-and-gel pressure redistribution across the entire seated surface. The 18-inch seat depth serves the longer femur dimensions frequently accompanying the larger body frames using 24-inch seat wheelchairs, maintaining posterior thigh gel and foam coverage to the popliteal area without the distal thigh edge pressure concentration that shallower cushions create in longer-limbed users. Dual-chamber gel bladder within the high-density foam shell provides the clinical therapeutic platform scaled to the bariatric application: high-density foam base maintains structural integrity under higher body weights that exceed the structural tolerance of standard foam, while dual-chamber gel redistributes pressure at ischial and coccygeal prominences across the expanded seating surface. The 12-inch tie straps secure the larger 24×18 cushion footprint to wheelchair frame, critical in bariatric applications where the greater body weight and seat surface creates higher displacement forces during propulsion and transfers. Waterproof vinyl base enables full undersurface disinfection across the expanded cushion area. TB117 flammability compliant. Model 8046-7, 1 each / 4 per case, 18-month limited warranty. Weight capacity for the 24-inch format exceeds the 275 lb rating of narrower sizes — confirm current Drive Medical specification for bariatric weight rating at procurement. For bariatric wheelchair users requiring extra-wide pressure redistribution, facilities managing wider wheelchair populations, and any 24-inch seat scenario where correctly sized dual-chamber gel combined with foam, tie straps, and waterproof hygiene delivers complete bariatric-format pressure care, Drive Gel-U-Seat 8046-7 provides the widest Gel-U-Seat configuration.

Key Features

• 24-Inch Extra-Wide Bariatric Format: Full lateral pressure redistribution coverage for 24-inch seat bariatric wheelchairs
• 18-Inch Deep Format: Extended posterior thigh coverage for longer-limb users in larger-frame wheelchair configurations
• Dual-Chamber Gel Bladder: Fluid pressure redistribution scaled to bariatric seated surface dimensions
• High-Density Foam Shell: Structural integrity under higher body weights of bariatric wheelchair users
• 12-Inch Tie Straps: Secures larger cushion footprint against higher displacement forces in bariatric applications
• Waterproof Vinyl Base: Full undersurface disinfection across expanded 24×18 inch cushion area
• Water-Resistant Low-Shear Stretch Cover: Friction reduction across full bariatric seated contact area
• TB117 Flammability Compliant: Institutional procurement flammability standard compliance
• Model 8046-7: Drive item number, 18-month limited warranty, 1 each / 4 per case
• Enhanced Weight Capacity: Higher than 275 lb rating of narrow formats — confirm with Drive Medical at procurement

Benefits

• 24-inch width eliminates lateral coverage gaps that standard cushions create in bariatric wheelchair seating
• 18-inch depth prevents distal thigh edge pressure in longer-limbed larger-framed users
• High-density foam maintains structural integrity under bariatric body weights that compress standard foam
• Dual-chamber gel redistributes pressure across expanded bariatric seated surface at bony prominences
• 12-inch tie straps secure the large cushion against higher displacement forces in bariatric propulsion
• Waterproof vinyl enables hygiene maintenance across expanded undersurface in long-term bariatric care
• 18-month warranty provides extended procurement confidence for bariatric care program investment
• Case pack of 4 supports institutional inventory management for bariatric wheelchair programs

Recommended Use

Perfect for bariatric wheelchair users with 22–24-inch seat widths requiring full-surface gel-and-foam pressure redistribution, long-term care bariatric programs where standard cushions fail to cover lateral seated surfaces, rehabilitation programs fitting post-bariatric surgery and high-weight wheelchair users, home care for larger-framed individuals using wider manual or power wheelchairs, institutional bariatric care requiring TB117 compliant extra-wide pressure cushions in case-pack quantities, and clinical wheelchair seating across rehabilitation hospitals, bariatric long-term care programs, community bariatric services, and home care. Particularly valuable for bariatric seating assessments identifying lateral coverage failure from 20-inch cushions on 22–24-inch seat chairs, programs standardizing Gel-U-Seat across the complete width range from 18-inch through 24-inch formats, and any extra-wide wheelchair scenario where 8046-7 provides correctly sized bariatric-format tie strap and waterproof-base gel-and-foam pressure protection at the widest standard Gel-U-Seat configuration.

Technical Specifications

• Model: 8046-7
• Dimensions: 24 inches W × 18 inches D × 3 inches H
• Construction: High-density foam shell with dual-chamber gel bladder
• Cover Top: Water-resistant low-shear stretch
• Cover Bottom: Waterproof vinyl
• Attachment: 12-inch tie straps for wheelchair frame securement
• Weight Capacity: Higher than 275 lb — confirm current Drive Medical bariatric rating at procurement
• Flammability: Meets TB117 standard
• Warranty: 18-month limited
• Packaging: 1 each, 4 per case (4/CS)
• Vendor Prefix: DRV (Drive Medical)
• Alternate Product Name: Gel-U-Seat™ W/C Foam Cushion
• Brand: Drive Medical
• Product Line: Gel-U-Seat Skin Protection 3" Gel/Foam