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UI HydroFlex. iss4 01/11

UI HydroFlex. iss4 01/11

Class 1 
Medical Device

Medium = 150kg max user weight.
Small = 100kg max user weight

CareFlex

UI

FLEXIBILITY IN A WORLD 

OF MIXED ABILITY

HydroFlex User Instructions

These are the user instructions for the CareFlex HydroFlex chair.

Please read them carefully before setting up and using the chair and keep them in a safe 
place for future reference.

These instructions include details of the performance of the chair. If the chair should 
start behaving outside of its intended performance, show signs of damage or excessive 
wear, or otherwise feel unsuitable, please take it out of service and contact CareFlex 
or your CareFlex Distributor immediately.

The HydroFlex chair is designed for a range of clients who require a combination 
of comfort, pressure management and posture control from their seating system. 
The chair has a built-in pressure management system based on  CareFlex’s patented 
WaterCell Technology®.

1

CareFlex classi

fi

 es the HydroFlex as an advanced seating system intended for use as part of a rehabilitation 

programme. The adjustability of the chair and the range of complementary accessories means that the chair is suitable 

for clients who require speci

fi

 c support and positioning to achieve a good posture.

The HydroFlex should be selected for clients;

•  with neurological conditions who need to maintain a good, midline posture.

•  with neurological conditions who require ‘correct’ functional positioning for rehab and activities.

• with 

fi

 xed skeletal postures of the hips and spine.

•  with conditions affecting their abdomen which makes upright sitting uncomfortable.

•  who require a wide range of positions for different activities through the day.

The HydroFlex chair is all about keeping the client in a good, midline position. Once set up, the position is ‘prescriptive’ 

and will hold the client reasonably 

fi

 rmly. For this reason, the HydroFlex is not suitable for those clients with strong 

contractures or with pronounced pelvic windsweeping or obliquity. The HydroFlex is not suitable for highly agitated 

clients who will not bene

fi

 t from the prescriptive support the chair offers. Unless these clients trial the chair and 

fi

 nd 

it comfortable and supportive, it would be advisable to consider the softer support of the HydroTilt.

The HydroFlex is suitable for clients with neurological conditions such as MS or MND, for stroke rehabilitation and 

rehabilitation following spinal or head injury.

The HydroFlex incorporates features which allow it to be set up to accommodate different postures and provide seating 

positions for a range of activities. The key features are;

•  Tilt-in-Space, which allows the clients position to be adjusted without affecting pelvic position.

•  Back Angle Recline, which can be adjusted to provide a comfortable hip angle.

•  Legrest elevation, to raise the legs and support the lower leg with the knees at a relaxed angle.

The suitability and effectiveness of these features are dependent on correct chair set up. Correct chair set up is 

dependent on three key elements; seat to 

fl

 oor/footrest height, seat width and seat depth.

Seat to 

fl

 oor height and seat width will have been measured during the initial seating assessment and the HydroFlex 

will have been factory assembled to these measurements. Seat depth must be adjusted to suit the client once the 

chair has been delivered. Seat to footplate height can be adjusted to suit the client. 

Use a cloth tape measure to measure the client as you are setting up the chair. This will help limit the need for 

any re-adjustment.  

Regularly check the HydroFlex set up to ensure it is working as intended and the client is bene

fi

 ting from the pressure 

management solutions which are built into the chair.

HydroFlex Client Characteristics

2

Summary of Contents for HydroFlex

Page 1: ...ition Once set up the position is prescriptive and will hold the client reasonably firmly For this reason the HydroFlex is not suitable for those clients with strong contractures or with pronounced pelvic windsweeping or obliquity The HydroFlex is not suitable for highly agitated clients who will not benefit from the prescriptive support the chair offers Unless these clients trial the chair and fi...

Page 2: ...is essential for tracing the product and allows accessories and spare parts to be easily selected 3 The HydroFlex is available with either fixed or loose covers The fixed cover version has a cleaner crisper appearance to make what is essentially a clinical product look more appropriate in a domestic environment The fixed cover greatly reduces the need for Velcro on the chair which may make the cha...

Page 3: ...s the locking mechanism engages Release lever for adjusting seat depth Seat depth should not be adjusted when a client is sat in the chair or when the chair is tilted backwards 5 1c Back Angle Recline Back Angle Recline BAR where hip angle can be adjusted The HydroFlex has Back Angle Recline BAR BAR is used to adjust the angle between the seat and back thus changing the angle of the client s hips ...

Page 4: ...e transferring in and out of the chair the brakes on the castors should be activated The castors have a full brake which locks roll and swivel Always ensure that at least two of the castor brakes are applied before a client transfers in or out of the chair To apply the brakes begin by generally positioning the chair Once the chair is in the desired position push it forward slightly This will swing...

Page 5: ...stable footplate to provide support to the client s feet when the legrest is raised or when they are being portered in the chair The footplate is stored behind the top section of the legrest Lift the top section of the legrest and the footplate will drop dow To lock the footplate in its primary 90 angle pull the lever on the right side of the footplate sideways The footplate has three angle settin...

Page 6: ...hit the floor 11 3h Tilt in Space Fully Motorised and Pro control Open the sides of the back cover to reveal the indexer for wing angle adjustment On the motorised and Pro control option the Tilt in Space is controlled by the handset The second row of buttons control Tilt in Space The right hand button tilts the chair back The left hand button returns the chair to its upright position NOTE The Hyd...

Page 7: ...the mains with the mains power switched off move the chair when it is connected to the mains charge the batteries when there is a client in the chair If after charging the motor actuators do not work take the chair out of service immediately and contact CareFlex or your local Distributor NOTE AutoTilt chairs have a different location for attaching the charger See the AutoTilt section for details 1...

Page 8: ...on being depressed on the handset and press the opposing button to re set the unit 4e AutoTilt Battery Charging Connect the charger to the socket on the back edge of the AutoTilt control box 8 button handset for all HydroFlex AutoTilt chairs NB 3rd row of buttons are not used on Pro Control chairs 15 Transfer arm tilted back to give access for side transfer Undo the locking wheel to release the tr...

Page 9: ... Pelvic strap with buckle adjusting from both sides 5b Pelvic Straps The two parts of the buckle on the straps click together To release the buckle press the tabs on the sides of the buckle and pull the two halves apart A pelvic strap is attached to the seat depth frame of the HydroFlex behind the seat cushion The strap is fitted through the gap between back cushion and the chair arms and across t...

Page 10: ...laterally contoured back option may be more appropriate Kidney pad adjustable laterals more pointed end upwards to make a handed pair left right Lateral supports are usually adjusted so that they are supporting the client s thorax upper chest The laterals must be adjusted so that the majority of the lateral is above the client s lower rib There is no point in fitting the laterals against the sides...

Page 11: ... the buckle closures at the top of the harness around the push handles 5i Four point Chest Harness Four point chest harness Fit the A plates at the bottom of the harness to the seat depth frame A four point chest harness keeps the user in an upright and midline position and is very effective at controlling lateral movement However their use must be carefully considered especially if the client has...

Page 12: ...traint 23 If a groin harness is fitted and left loose the client may slide into sacral sitting which is a posture which will make them vulnerable to skin damage through shear will cause discomfort and pressure in the groin area 6 Accessory Fitting 6a Tools In day to day use the HydroFlex does not require tools to make changes and adjustments However it is necessary to use tools to fit some of the ...

Page 13: ...m allan key to fully tighten the screws Score over the recesses in the back board and screw the guides into place 25 Note If a specific position is required for the front straps they can be screwed to the underside of the seat board Use a chipboard screw with a maximum length of 16mm to do this 6e Pommel Bracket Begin by carefully removing the seat cushion The pommel bracket fits in a recess cut i...

Page 14: ...pecification of the chair 27 Small 38 41 44 47 Medium 50 53 56 Small 28 33 38 43 Medium 35 40 45 50 Small 59 Medium 69 Small 35 50 Medium 38 53 Sm all 75 M ed ium 85 Sm all 18 21 M ed ium 22 25 Small 115 average Medium 120 average H o ri zo nt al to 30 ti lt 9 5 a t h i p s t o 1 2 5 8 0 t o 1 7 0 Small 34 to 40 Medium 41 to 49 Small 78 Medium 87 Small 163 Medium 179 Small 58 Medium 59 Weights SMA...

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