Medical Mattress Testing
Fast-track your medical mattress certification with comprehensive ANSI/RESNA SS-1 testing from Element. As your single trusted partner, we’ll provide all seven test protocols in one location, helping you to streamline your compliance process, and bring products to market faster.
What is medical mattress testing at Element?
Medical mattress testing evaluates the safety, quality, and performance of full-body support surfaces used in healthcare settings. At Element, we provide comprehensive testing across all seven ANSI/RESNA SS-1 protocols, measuring critical factors like pressure management, microclimate control, and support surface characteristics to ensure your products meet industry standards.
What can Element offer you for medical mattress testing?
Components and Materials We Test
Components and Materials We Test
Element tests full-body support surfaces, including medical mattresses, overlays, and integrated bed systems, to ensure compliance with ANSI/RESNA SS-1 standards. Our testing assesses material performance in pressure distribution, heat dissipation, and moisture management.
Key Tests Offered
Key Tests Offered
- Immersion testing with 50th percentile rigid male mannequin
- Heat and water vapor dissipation (Body Analog Method)
- Heat and water vapor dissipation (SGHP Method)
- Horizontal stiffness measurement
- Hemispherical indenter envelopment testing
- Dual semispherical indenter testing
- Water vapor dissipation (Heated Water Bladder Method)
Methods And Solutions Offered
Methods And Solutions Offered
Our comprehensive testing protocols follow ANSI/RESNA SS-1 requirements and are delivered through our A2LA-accredited facility. Our streamlined process includes dedicated project teams, expert consultation, and efficient single-source testing coordination.
Which Labs Offer This Service
Which Labs Offer This Service
We carry out medical mattress testing at our lab in St. Paul, Minnesota, which is our fully accredited facility offering all seven ANSI/RESNA SS-1 test protocols under one roof.
Standards we test to and products we test
- ANSI/RESNA SS-1 (All seven protocols)
- Section 2-8 of ANSI/RESNA SS-1 standards
We test all ANSI/RESNA SS-1 protocols, which is key for pressure injury prevention in patients. Whether you are designing a new mattress product with pressure redistribution in mind or are ensuring compliance with SS-1 standards, our experts are here to support you. Note Section 1 covers vocabulary and definitions.
- Section 2: Immersion in Full Body Support Surfaces – Evaluates how deeply a 50th percentile rigid male mannequin sinks into a mattress.
- Section 3: Heat and Water Vapor Dissipation (Body Analog Method) – Measures the temperature and humidity of the micro-climate between the indenter and the support surface.
- Section 4: Heat and Water Vapor Dissipation (SGHP Method) – Assesses the support surface's ability to move heat and moisture away from the source.
- Section 5: Horizontal Stiffness in Support Surfaces – Measures the initial pushback force applied by a support surface to soft tissue when the bed’s head is raised.
- Section 6: Hemispherical Indenter Envelopment Test – Tests how well a support surface contours to the irregular shape of the body.
- Section 7: Dual Semispherical Indenter Envelopment Test – An alternate method to Section 6, measuring the support surface’s ability to mold to the body's irregular shape.
- Section 8: Water Vapor Dissipation (Heated Water Bladder Method) – Assesses the ability of a support surface to dissipate moisture, covering a larger area than the SGHP method.
- Medical mattresses
- Hospital bed systems
- Mattress overlays
- Integrated bed systems
- Full body support surfaces
Your Challenges, Our Solutions
Complex Testing Requirements
Tight Deadlines
Ensuring Compliance Confidence
Resource Management
Why Choose Element
Convenient testing
Hassle-free process
Streamlined communication
Reliable and actionable data
7test protocols in ANSI/RESNA SS-1
50thpercentile mannequin used in immersion testing
1single-source testing partner
190years of making certain
Frequently asked questions
What are the ANSI/RESNA SS-1 Requirements?
ANSI/RESNA SS-1 defines requirements and test methods for evaluating full-body support surfaces in medical settings through seven key protocols measuring microclimate, pressure management, and healthcare efficacy.
What type of data does Element provide from medical mattress testing?
Our industry-leading experts provide reliable, actionable data through A2LA-accredited testing processes. Each test generates specific performance metrics to help you understand your product's compliance with ANSI/RESNA SS-1 standards.
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