Introduction.

Wheelchair users develop pressure ulcers due to prolonged pressure between areas of bony prominence and the seat. Centers of pressure sensing platforms have been designed to prevent these injuries, but their high cost limits their accessibility.

Objective.

To calibrate and validate a prototype of a low-ost platform that records the distribution of the pressure center through a measurement protocol that analyzes the accuracy of the sensor through repeatability and measurement error.

Method.

A platform of four 50kg load cells interconnected with each other was designed. Calibration and validation protocols were established using standard masses and validating repeatability and precision through error analysis. In addition, a protocol was designed to study variations in the center of pressure when the posture in the wheelchair is modified. Finally, a case study was conducted to support the validation and calibration of the sensor.

Results.

The platform proved to be precise and reliable, as the data showed repeatable and accurate measurements, with errors less than 3.75%, demonstrating good repeatability. Furthermore, its ability to estimate variations in the center of pressure was validated.

Conclusions.

Taking into account the recommendations of international organizations, the platform developed in this study constitutes a low-cost tool with associated hardware and software that can significantly contribute to the prevention of pressure ulcers.

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