Memory Foam and Bedsores

Memory foam, or viscoelastic foam, made famous by Tempur-Pedic ® was first designed by NASA for use in the space shuttle program. First created created to protect astronauts from the powerful g-forces experienced at take off, memory foam's ability to distribute pressure over a wide surface area kept astronauts from being injured as they went shooting into space. Strangely enough, though it was created by NASA, the first generation of memory foam had early design flaws that prevented it from ever actually being used in the space program. It was only later that Tempur Pedic ® reformulated the material and used it to make beds.

There were several design flaws in the early formula that were later corrected by companies like Sleep Aid and Tempur Pedic ®. For one thing, early formulations of the stuff tended to "off-gas" considerably. Off-gassing is when foam or other materials release volatile chemicals as part of a chemical breakdown. In most environments, off-gassing is relatively harmless, but in a tightly controlled environment like the space shuttle, this release of gasses can be dangerous. Though it was soon abandoned for use in space, memory foam was remarketed by Tempurpedic ® and quickly found a home in the medical industry for the treatment and prevention of decubitus ulcers, also called bedsores. 

Decubitus ulcers occur because of a lack of air and blood circulation created by pressure points. Because bedridden people are often unable to move on their own, this type of bedsore has long been a dangerous risk for those who are immobilized with injury or illness. Memory foam mattresses like those sold by Tempurpedic ® were designed partially to solve this problem. When we lie down, certain parts of our bodies, like hips and shoulders, always support more weight than other parts. These pressure points do not get proper blood circulation or airflow, and if the patient is not moved periodically, this pressure can cause what is essentially the suffocation and death of the very top layer of skin in these areas. If left untreated though, these sores can cause massive tissue death, even extending to the bone in some cases. Memory foam mattress toppers and beds like those sold by Sleep Aid and Tempur Pedic ® reduce pressure points by spreading pressure out over a wider surface area. This reduces the chance that the user will develop decubitus ulcers, and also helps to increase the comfort of those who must remain in bed for prolonged periods. Tempur Pedic ® then realized that if memory foam beds were so comfortable for bedridden patients, they would be a great sleep surface for healthy people too, and the rest is history.