Careflex HydroTilt Medium Chair

CareFlex HydroTilt Specialist Seating Chair

The CareFlex HydroTilt is a highly adaptable Tilt-in-Space specialist seating chair designed for adults and children with mild to moderate postural and pressure-management needs.

The HydroTilt's modular design allows it to be configured around a wide range of individual body dimensions and seating requirements. It combines Tilt-in-Space, CareFlex WaterCell Technology, adjustable seat depth, an independently elevating leg rest and a height and angle-adjustable flip-up footplate with a choice of Flat, Contoured and Waterfall back-support options.

The HydroTilt can be particularly suitable for people living with conditions and presentations including Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, stroke, dementia, frailty, pelvic instability, scoliosis, increased thoracic kyphosis, increased lumbar lordosis, contractures and fatigue.

With maximum user weights 160 kg for Medium and Large chairs, the HydroTilt provides a versatile specialist seating solution across a broad range of domestic, healthcare and community environments.

Tilt-in-Space

The HydroTilt incorporates Tilt-in-Space (TiS). Tilt-in-Space changes the reclining angle of the chair's seat and back together without changing the relationship between the user's hip and knee angles. This can help to:

• Improve pelvic stability
• Encourage pressure redistribution
• Support energy management
• Manage fatigue
• Provide periods of rest
• Alter the user's orientation
• Maintain postural support during repositioning

For people spending extended periods in specialist seating, Tilt-in-Space provides a valuable method of changing position while maintaining the established seating posture.

CareFlex WaterCell Technology

Pressure management is an integral part of the HydroTilt. The seat cushion incorporates CareFlex WaterCell Technology, combined with Vapour Permeable upholstery, to provide continuous pressure redistribution. The system works alongside the chair's Tilt-in-Space functionality and adjustable seat depth to support more effective distribution of the user's weight.

For individuals at risk of pressure injury, the chair should form part of a wider pressure-management programme based on individual assessment.

Adjustable Seat Depth

The HydroTilt features adjustable seat depth. Correct seat depth helps ensure the user's pelvis remains positioned towards the rear of the chair while maximising support beneath the thighs. Appropriate adjustment can help:

• Maintain pelvic positioning
• Improve weight distribution
• Maximise thigh support
• Reduce unsupported areas
• Avoid excessive pressure behind the knees
• Reduce the tendency towards sacral sitting
• Improve overall postural stability

Seat depth should be adjusted specifically for the individual.

Choice of Back Support

The HydroTilt can be configured with a choice of back-support systems, allowing the chair to accommodate different levels and types of trunk-support requirement.

Flat Back Support

The Flat Back provides conforming support to the lower back while the user is positioned upright or in Tilt-in-Space. It provides a straightforward supportive surface where substantial lateral shaping or accommodation of complex spinal posture is not required.

Contoured Back Support

The Contoured Back provides increased shaping around the trunk. It can offer additional lateral support and feedback to help maintain a more central and stable sitting position. This may be useful where the user requires greater trunk support than a Flat Back provides.

Waterfall Back Support

The Waterfall Back provides a more configurable approach to trunk and spinal support. Its cushions can be arranged around the user's individual posture, making it particularly useful where the backrest needs to accommodate variations in spinal shape. The appropriate back support should be established as part of the seating assessment.

Adjustable Lateral Supports

Where further trunk control is required, Adjustable Laterals are available. These can provide additional lateral support and can be positioned around the individual's trunk dimensions and postural presentation. The combination of an appropriate backrest and adjustable laterals allows the HydroTilt to accommodate a broad spectrum of postural needs.

Independently Elevating Leg Rest

The HydroTilt features an independently elevating leg rest. This allows the position of the lower limbs to be changed throughout the day according to the user's activity, posture and comfort requirements. Reflexions Foam is incorporated into the leg rest to provide pressure redistribution beneath the legs.

25° Negative-Angle Leg Rest

The Medium HydroTilt can be configured with a 25° negative-angle leg-rest position. This can be particularly useful for users with:

• Tight hamstrings
• Knee contractures
• Restricted knee extension
• Sit-to-stand transfer requirements

Moving the leg rest into a negative angle can create a more comfortable lower-limb position while also positioning the feet more effectively for an appropriate standing transfer.

The 25° negative-angle feature is currently specified for the Medium HydroTilt only

Height and Angle-Adjustable Flip-Up Footplate

The HydroTilt incorporates a height and angle-adjustable flip-up footplate. This is particularly useful for users with longer lower-leg lengths or those who require consistent foot support. The footplate can also accommodate fixed plantar-flexion angles at the ankle, helping provide a more comfortable ankle position while maintaining foot support.

Five Footplate Positions

The footplate can be set to five positions:

• +90° – vertical
• +15°
• 0° – horizontal
• -15°
• -30°

This provides a total adjustment range of approximately 120°. Regardless of the selected angle, the footplate can be lifted into the vertical position when it needs to be moved out of the way.

Supporting Users with Contractures

Contractures are among the postural challenges for which the HydroTilt can be considered. The combination of:

• Adjustable seat depth
• Elevating leg rest
• Negative-angle positioning on the Medium chair
• Adjustable foot support
• Different back-support configurations

provides useful flexibility when accommodating restricted joint movement.

The seating system should be configured around the user's available range rather than attempting to force a fixed posture.

Wooden or Soft Hand Grips

The HydroTilt can be configured with Wooden or Soft Hand Grips.

• Wooden Hand Grips: wooden grips provide a firm surface for an appropriate semi-ambulant user to hold when rising to stand.
• Soft Hand Grip: soft hand grips provide an alternative and consist of an upholstered foam pad fitted in the same position.

The most appropriate option will depend on the user's transfer technique, hand function and comfort requirements.

Supporting Sit-to-Stand Transfers

For users who retain sufficient ability to perform a sit-to-stand transfer, the HydroTilt can be configured to help establish an appropriate starting position. The flip-up footplate can be moved out of the way, while the negative-angle leg-rest option on the Medium chair can help position the feet for standing. Where appropriate, hand grips can provide an additional support surface.

Transfer methods should always be established through an individual moving-and-handling assessment.

Two Braked and Two Swivel Castors

The HydroTilt is fitted with two braked castors and two swivel castors. The castors incorporate sealed-bearing hubs for enhanced durability and smoother manoeuvrability. The two rear castors have a full brake to prevent the chair from rolling when stationary. This provides a stable chair for appropriate transfers once the brakes have been correctly applied.

Loose Covers for Multi-User Adaptability

Loose covers are available for the HydroTilt. These provide additional flexibility where the chair may be used within a multi-user equipment environment.

This can be particularly valuable for:

• Community equipment services
• Equipment loan services
• Hospitals
• Care homes
• Rehabilitation settings

The chair should always be reassessed and correctly configured before being issued to a different user.

Infection-Control Cover Option

The HydroTilt can also be configured with infection-control covers for environments where cleaning and infection prevention are particularly important. These covers minimise exposed seams and replace exposed hook-and-loop fastenings with plastic profile fittings and zips. This makes the option particularly relevant for hospital and multi-user environments.

Suitable for Huntington's Disease

The HydroTilt may provide an effective specialist seating solution for people living with Huntington's disease. Depending on the individual's presentation, specialist seating may need to address movement, postural stability, fatigue, pressure management and changing support requirements. The modular design and choice of back supports allow the chair to be adapted as needs change.

Suitable for Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is also identified as a condition for which the HydroTilt may be considered. Users may experience changes in mobility, posture, muscle control and fatigue. Tilt-in-Space, adjustable seat depth and configurable support provide options for managing these requirements.

Suitable for Multiple Sclerosis

The HydroTilt may be suitable for people with multiple sclerosis, particularly where reduced strength, endurance or postural control makes conventional seating unsuitable. Tilt-in-Space can provide alternative supported positions throughout the day while helping manage fatigue and pressure distribution.

Suitable for Motor Neurone Disease

The HydroTilt can also be considered for individuals with motor neurone disease.

Because physical abilities and postural requirements may change over time, the HydroTilt's modular and configurable design can be particularly useful where seating requires ongoing review.

Suitable Following a Stroke

The HydroTilt may be considered following a stroke where the individual requires additional support for posture, pelvic stability, pressure management or fatigue.

Back-support selection and additional lateral positioning should be based on the individual's specific presentation.

Suitable for Dementia

Dementia is another condition identified as a potential application for the HydroTilt. Specialist seating may be considered where the individual requires increased postural support, pressure management and comfortable positioning.

The overall care environment, cognitive presentation and transfer requirements should also be considered during assessment.

Suitable for Frailty

The HydroTilt can provide additional support for people experiencing frailty who require more postural and pressure management than a conventional armchair provides. The ability to alter orientation using Tilt-in-Space may also help users who fatigue during prolonged sitting.

Suitable for Pelvic Instability

Pelvic instability is specifically identified among the postural challenges the HydroTilt can address. Tilt-in-Space and adjustable seat depth work together to help maintain the pelvis towards the rear of the chair and establish a stable foundation for the trunk.

Suitable for Scoliosis

The HydroTilt may be considered for users with scoliosis. Its choice of back-support systems and optional adjustable laterals provides flexibility when supporting asymmetrical spinal presentations.

Whether the aim is to accommodate, support or influence the posture should be established through assessment.

Suitable for Increased Thoracic Kyphosis

Increased thoracic kyphosis is also identified as a potential application. Back-support selection is particularly important where spinal curvature alters the relationship between the pelvis, trunk and head.

Where substantially more complex head and spinal positioning is required, another CareFlex specialist seating system may need to be considered following assessment.

Suitable for Increased Lumbar Lordosis

The HydroTilt can also accommodate individuals presenting with increased lumbar lordosis.

The backrest should be selected and configured around the user's individual spinal presentation and comfort requirements.

Suitable for Fatigue Management

Fatigue can significantly affect an individual's ability to maintain an effective seated posture. Tilt-in-Space allows the user's orientation to be changed while retaining their hip and knee relationship, providing alternative supported positions throughout the day. This can be particularly valuable for people with neurological or progressive conditions.

Modular Construction

The HydroTilt has a modular design, making it possible to configure the chair around different seating requirements. Combined with their options and a comprehensive accessory range, this makes the HydroTilt particularly versatile for:

• Individual long-term use
• Changing postural requirements
• Community equipment services
• Multi-user environments
• Specialist seating provision

We are recognised as a leading supplier of specialist seating in the UK and Ireland and the Hydrotilt chair is one of our best selling specialist seating systems. We provide client assessment services on our entire seating range. If you would like to arrange a demonstration or an individual product assessment, please contact us on 028 9267 7077.  Also available Express stock mode.l

Key features

• Patented water-cell technology provides unrivalled all over pressure care. 
• Tilt-in-space action 
• Quick and easy seat length adjustability 
• 4 castors; 2 braked
• Independently adjustable elevating legrest 
• Individually replaceable wipeable covers 
• Depth adjustable seat
• Also available in Large, Small and Mini Versions to accomodate all ages and sizes
• Electrically operated version available to order
• Integrated flip up footplate as standard
• Negative Angle Legrest

Specification

• Max User Weight 160kg / 25st 
• Product Weight 50 to 55 kg
• Seat widths include 16, 18, 20 "
• Extra Wide Chair available with seat widths of 22 and 24"
• Small version to suit seat widths from 11 to 17"

HydroTilt vs HydroTilt XL

The HydroTilt and HydroTilt XL are both specialist seating systems, but they address different user requirements.

HydroTilt

The standard HydroTilt:

• Comes in Mini, Small, Medium and Large sizes
• Supports adults and children
• Has a maximum user weight up to 160 kg depending on size
• Provides broad modular configuration
• Is designed for mild to moderate seating requirements
• Offers Flat, Contoured and Waterfall back options

HydroTilt XL

The HydroTilt XL is specifically designed for bariatric specialist seating and has a maximum user weight of 220 kg.

It includes features designed around increased body dimensions and bariatric postural considerations, including accommodation of a gluteal shelf and larger lower limbs.

Selection should therefore be based on body dimensions, posture, pressure risk, transfer requirements and individual assessment rather than weight capacity alone.

HydroTilt vs HydroFlex

• The HydroTilt is designed for a broad range of mild to moderate seating needs, while the HydroFlex is intended for complex postural requirements.
• The HydroFlex provides an articulating back and head section with adjustable wings, making it particularly suited to more challenging head and spinal positioning.

For users with substantial postural complexity, the appropriate model should be established through specialist assessment.

HydroTilt and Pressure Management

The HydroTilt addresses pressure management through a combination of seating technology and positioning.

• WaterCell Technology® and Vapour Permeable upholstery provide continuous pressure redistribution at the seat.
• Adjustable seat depth helps maximise the supported area beneath the thighs and maintain appropriate pelvic position.
• Tilt-in-Space allows the user's loading pattern to be changed without altering the hip and knee relationship.
• Reflexions Foam® within the leg rest provides pressure redistribution beneath the lower limbs.

These features should be incorporated into the user's wider pressure-management programme where required.