FAQ
Matrix Seating USA
14260 W. Newberry Rd.
Suite 359 Newberry, FL
32669-2765
A vendor application can be found on the Matrix Seating USA website, at the bottom of the Home page, or by clicking Vendors under the Support tab. It can also be found under Resources.
Give us a call at 800-986-9319 or send an email to info@matrixseatingusa.com and we will connect you with a representative in your area.
All Matrix custom products must be purchased through Matrix Seating USA certified DME providers.
Custom backs and cushions may be returned within 90 days of delivery to the user. As this is extremely rare, we negotiate returns on a case-by-case basis.
Matrix Seating USA has a 90 Day Fit Guarantee. In some cases, it takes time for a user to adjust to new seating components. What makes Matrix Seating unique is the ability to easily adjust the shape, and in some cases even the size of the seating components, to help users find comfort and proper positioning.
Yes. There is a Limited Repair or Replace Warranty of 24 months for all Matrix custom products. The covers have a limited warranty for 1 year. The cover warranty is for damage due to material defects and/or workmanship. The cover warranty does not include damage due to daily wear and tear or damage that is a result of mishandling, not following washing instructions, neglect, cigarette burns, or damage caused by sharp objects.
Yes! Dr. Steve Cousins, the founder of Matrix Seating, was developing corrective seating methodologies and materials in the 1970’s. It was from this development that Matrix Seating was born. Please see Matrix Seating Systems for more information and before/after pictures regarding correction. Please see our Publications page to learn more about the research and studies regarding corrective seating and the Matrix Seating Door Technique. Corrective seating requires a strong understanding of seating and positioning, a 3-day training class and a medical specialist (MD, PT, OT etc.) to collaborate with. Please note: most insurance companies do not cover the labor associated with the incremental adjustments that corrective seating requires.
General Info
Backs
Created in the early 1970’s and still sold worldwide today, the ball and socket modules that make up the inner shell of Original Matrix enable the shape to be infinitely and continuously adjustable. To adjust, the appropriate socket or group of sockets are simply loosened with an Allen wrench, moved into place, and then re-tightened. There is no limitation to the number of times the shape can be adjusted or the number of components that can be added to the edges to accommodate growth. The ability to easily grow Matrix is one of its main attributes over other seating systems. See our Original Matrix page for more information.
No. The adjustment bolts in the sockets are designed so that they will not loosen on its own. There are 30-year-old Matrix seating systems which have never been re-tightened and are still in service today.
Yes! This is one of the most important attributes of Matrix Seating USA Back Products. At delivery, if the user or therapist requests shape modifications, they can be completed in minutes. If it is requested that the shape be changed back to its original location, that can also be completed in minutes. This means the provider won’t have to return the back and/or seat to the manufacturer or make another appointment with the user, caregiver, ATP, and therapist for a new delivery.
Original Matrix
The innovative Matrix AIREZ Wheelchair Back is precisely manufactured by industrial sized 3D printers. The backs see-through design provides continuous airflow, significantly decreasing heat and moisture retention. The 3D honeycomb design and materials make it very lightweight, re-moldable, size adjustable, and extremely durable. An added bonus to the AIREZ design is being able to see through the back to the user to ensure the user has optimal contact in all areas.
AIREZ backs now come standard with no outer shell needed to mount hardware.
The ABS-X outer shell is only necessary in certain cases that require extra strength and rigidity for hardware mounting: when the user is 250 lbs or heavier, the back height is 29” or over, or the user presents with high tone or spasticity. The ABS-X shell is also recommended in applications where the back weight is not an issue such as tilt in space and powered wheelchairs as it enables non-encumbered AIREZ adjustments.
By using a heat gun to evenly heat the AIREZ material at the desiered location of adjustment. Please see our line of instructional videos on how to properly adjust AIREZ here.
After temporarily removing the optional ABS-X outer shell, the AIREZ back is adjustable in all areas. Adjustments can be made towards or away from the user in the middle of the back (lumbar, contour, etc.), laterals can be moved in or out, laterals edges can be curved in or out, and laterals can be easily trimmed in height and/or depth and refinished.
Without the ABS-X outer shell, the AIREZ back is adjustable towards the client in all areas except where the headrest interface and mounting hardware is connected. There is limited adjustability away from the client in the hardware mounting areas. All other non-hardware areas can be remolded and adjusted without hinderance.
Yes! This is one of the most important attributes of Matrix Seating USA Back Products. At delivery, if the user or therapist requests shape modifications, they can be completed in minutes. If it is requested that the shape be changed back to its original location, that can also be completed in minutes. This means the provider won’t have to return the back and/or seat to the manufacturer or make another appointment with the user, caregiver, ATP, and therapist for a new delivery.
No. AIREZ has been engineered to withstand the hottest internal car temperatures.
AIREZ
Cushions
Auxafoam is soft and light, with multiple skin protection properties. It also has advanced pressure relief, positioning, shock absorbency, sheer reduction, and heat dispersion properties.
As it is a foam cushion, a fluid proof liner upgrade is recommended if the user may be incontinent. Matrix Custom Seat Cushion provides the positioning benefits of a more rigid cushion with the unique pressure relief and shock absorbency that Auxafoam provides. See our Cushion page for more information.
Auxafoam
AIREZ cushions provide a unique combination of a soft, non-foam, ultra-breathable top layer for softness, an extremely rigid, durable and breathable layer that maintains the user’s proper positioning and a fluid catch pan at the bottom.
AIREZ is the lightest custom molded seat available.
The high level of airflow significantly decreases the heat and moisture retention that is typical of foam custom molded seating. Foam custom molded seating can be made out of open cell foam to increase breathability, but that benefit is significantly decreased when wrapped in a fluid proof cover.
AIREZ cushion design ensures that any fluids coming in contact with the cushion flow through to the fluid catch pan at the bottom. There is no foam or other absorbent material to retain the fluids, protecting the user’s skin. Consequently, fluid proof covers that often “pool” fluids against the user’s skin are not required to protect the cushion. The catch pan also ensures fluids do not drip onto the wheelchair causing corrosion and/or damaging electronics.
AIREZ
Options
The Radian 360 is the most adjustable hardware Matrix Seating USA manufacturers. The ball and socket configuration enables an infinite level of adjustability on all planes. It is primarily utilized on tilt and space and power wheelchairs where the back canes are accessible.
While the Ultra Lightweight mounting hardware is not as adjustable as the Radian 360, it is significantly lighter. It is typically used on light weight manual wheelchairs.
The lightweight hardware is also used on powered wheelchairs with solid backs where the radian 360 cannot clamp onto the canes. The Ultra Lightweight hardware, coupled with the horizontal mounting bar (VTMH-S) and surface mount (flat surfaces) receivers (R360-SM), allows for extremely flexible positioning.
Yes. We have multiple hardware options that can fit a wide range of mounting configurations. See our Options page for more information.
Hardware
Of course! All our products are shipped complete and ready for the user to take delivery.
Covers & Liners
Full-Body Systems
Full-Body Systems are made up of the same AIREZ material as our regular line of custom AIREZ Backs with the only difference between the two being the system shape!
Full-Body Systems are made to be one continious shape allowing for very controlled and percise seating as required in special use cases where seperate backs and cushions won't do.