7
Etac / StarLock / www.etac.com
English
en
General:
Thank you for choosing an Etac product.
In order to avoid injury during handling and
use, please read through this manual first.
In the manual, the user is the person sitting
on the cushion. The carer is the person help-
ing the user.
Information on how people with impaired
vision can get access to the manual can be
found in our pre-sales information guide in
Etac is continuously improving its products.
We therefore reserve the right to change the
products without prior notice. The dimensions
given in the drawings or other materials are
only indicative.
We will not be responsible for printing errors
and incompleteness.
Product description:
Starlock cushion (hereafter also referred to
as ‘the product’) is a vertical air cell cushion,
which is manually adjustable to suit an
individual’s weight, body shape, and their
pressure redistribution, postural and offload
-
ing requirements.
Intended use:
The product is intended to be used as a
pressure injury prevention cushion in a
wheelchair.
Intended user:
Individual’s at risk of pressure injuries. There
is no minimum age or minimum/maximum
weight limit on the product.
Limitations of use:
The product must be properly sized for the
user buttocks and thighs, and the wheelchair
seat size. I must not be used as a seat in
aeroplane.
Contraindications:
There are no known contraindications.
Special Considerations:
The assessment for and set up of the product
should be carried out by a suitably qualified
and experienced professional (e.g. physical/
occupational therapist), including the appro-
priate adjustment of air to suit the individual’s
pressure and postural needs. Training is avail-
able from Etac upon demand.
CE-marking, tests:
The product conforms to the requirements
of the Medical Devices Regulation (EU)
2017/745.
Delivery content, description .........
1. Seat cushion with air cells. 2. Hand
infla
-
tion
pump. 3. Inflation valve. 4. Ball pump
with safety valve and release button. 5. Cover
(a. standard or b. incontinence cover). 6.
Pocket for ball pump. 7. User manual.
8. Repair kit.
Maintenance and security ..............
1. Cleaning the cover:
Remove the cover and close the zipper.
Turn inside out and machine wash in warm
water (maximum 60°C/140°F standard
cover, maximum 80°/176°F incontinence
cover). Do not bleach. Rinse in cold water
and machine dry on low temperature or
line dry.
To disinfect the Cover:
The cover can be machine washed in hot
water (80°C/176°F) to disinfect. Tumble
dry on low temperature.
2. Cleaning the cushion:
Before cleaning/disinfecting, remove the
cover and wash separately (see step 1,
‘Cleaning the cover’
). Close the inflation
valve. Clean the cushion by hand with
soap, bicarbonate or vinegar. Or, machine
wash in 40°/104°F (or 60°/140°F for 10
min.) Rinse and dry. N.B. The cushion must
be filled with some air when washing in
machine.
3. To disinfect the cushion, use a 70% alco-
hol-based disinfectant solution only.
4. A defective product must not be used (see
also section ‘Troubleshooting’).
Guarantee, lifetime:
2-years guarantee (cushion) and 6-months
guarantee (cover) against material and manu-
facturing defects. For terms and conditions,
see
Service life 5 years. For complete information
regarding the service life of the product, see
.
Check inflation of the seat
cushion:
At least once per day.
Check skin:
Check skin frequently,
at least once per day. Skin and soft
tissue breakdown can occur due
to many reasons, which may vary
by individual. Redness, bruising,
or discolored skin may indicate
the beginning of soft tissue or skin
breakdown. If this occurs, consult
with a clinician immediately.
Cushion and Cover Matching:
The
cushion and cover must be compat-
ible sizes and must be used as
directed in this manual (Instructions
for Use). If they are not, the benefits
provided by the cushion may be
decreased or eliminated, which
increases risk to the skin and/or soft
tissue. Further, it may increase the
risk of instability and falling. Never
use the cushion without a cover.
Cushion and Cover Orientation:
A
Star Cushion must be used with the
air cells facing up according to this
manual. If the cushion is not facing
up, or the cover is not used correctly,
it may reduce or eliminate the cush-
ions’ benefits and could increase risk
to the skin and other soft tissue.
Under-inflation:
DO NOT USE an
under-inflated product. Ensure the
user is not resting on the base or bot-
tom of the cushion, as it can result
in peak pressure areas. Prolonged
exposure to peak pressures could
increase risk of breakdown to the
skin and other soft tissue.
Over-inflation:
DO NOT USE an
over-inflated product. If the cushion
remains over-inflated for daily use,
the body will not immerse into the air
cells, which may reduce or eliminate
the product’s benefits, and increase
risk of break down to the skin and
other soft tissue.
Locking (One User):
Do not allow
anyone else to use and lock your
cushion. This cushion is designed to
conform to your body shape when
immersed, and stay in that shape
once locked. Allowing another person
to use your cushion and lock it could
cause inconsistent pressure points,
resulting in an increased risk of
breakdown to the skin or other soft
tissue.
Safety Valve:
Always make sure the
safety valve is turned to form an “X”
with the tubing when locked. If the
safety valve is ‘in line’ with the tub-
ing, your lock could be accidentally
released, resulting in a risk of
instability or improp er inflation.
Climate:
If a cushion has been in
temperatures less than 32°F /
0°C and exhibits unusual stiffness,
allow the cushion to warm to room
temperature. Then, knead the
cushion with your hands, or roll up
the cushion and then unroll it (with
the valve open) until the neoprene is
soft and pliable again. Repeat proper
adjustment instructions before using.
Avoid extreme heat and keep away
from heat sources, hot ashes, open
flames or direct sunlight.
Pressure:
Changes in altitude may
require you to readjust your cushion
for proper inflation. Check inflation
each time you change altitude. Never
use the cushion on an aeroplane
seat.
Puncture:
In order to prevent your
cushion from being punctured, keep
your cushion away from sharp objects
and clawed pets.
Handling:
DO NOT attempt to carry
your cushion by the valve or bulb
pump or pull your cushion by the
valve. Carry your cushion by the
cover’s handle, or lift underneath the
base of the cushion to carry.
Instability/Fall Hazard:
DO NOT use
your cushion in conjunction with, or
place on top of any other products
or materials, except as listed in the
Intended Use section. This may result
in instability and/or falls.
In case of an adverse event occurred in
relation to use of the device, it should be
reported to the organisation that supplied
you the cushion, e.g. dealer and the national
competent authority in a timely manner. The
local dealer will forward information to the
manufacturer.
Positioning of the cushion ..............
Set up and assess ............................
1. Deflate the lockpockets:
Check that the locking lever is turned par-
allel with the tube (open).
Press the reset button for 5 seconds to
deflate the cell lockpockets.
2. Inflate the cushion by opening the inflation
valve (counterclockwise) and pump up the
cushion using the hand inflation pump.
Lock the valve (turn clockwise).
3. Transfer the user on to the cushion. Ensure
