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Latex and Visco Memory Foam
The most common type of memory foam, used in mattresses,
is called "Visco Elastic Memory Foam".
Because Latex foam has many of the same qualities it, too, is considered a form of
memory foam. Both varieties offer similar, but slightly different, benfits to the consumer.
While this page details the development of Visco Foam many of it's properties apply
to Latex foam, as well.
Roots in NASA
Visco elsatic memory foam was actually
developed in 1966 under a contract by NASA's Ames Research
Center to improve the safety of aircraft cushions. Ames scientist
Chiharu Kubokawa and Charles A. Yost of the Stencel Aero Engineering Corporation
were major contributors to this project. Yost named the temperature-sensitive
memory foam "temper foam".
Medical & Comfort Benefits
NASA made memory foam available to the public in the early 1980's and
was subsequently used, to a large extent, primarily in medical settings.
For example, it was commonly used
in cases where a patient was forced to lie, immobile, on a standard mattress for an
unhealthy period of time. The pressure over patient's bony regions, when
using a standard mattress, often decreased or stopped
the blood flow to regions of the body causing pressure sores or gangrene. Memory foam mattresses
dramatically increased blood flow and
remarkably decreased such events. Memory foam is now utilized in a host of medical settings,
including:
- Wheelchair seat cushions
- Hospital bed pillows
- Various types of padding for persons suffering long-term pain
or postural problems
For example, a memory foam cervical pillow may alleviate
chronic neck pain. Its heat-retaining properties may help some pain sufferers who
find the added warmth helps to decrease the pain.
Memory foam was initially too expensive for widespread use, but in recent
years it has become less cost prohibitive. Its most common domestic uses are:
- Mattresses
- Mattress toppers
- Pillows
A memory foam mattress is usually denser than other foam mattresses. This makes it more supportive but also heavier. It is often seen as a good compromise between the comfort of a soft mattress and the solidness of a firm one. Memory foam mattresses often sell for more than traditional mattresses.
Memory foam has an open cell structure that reacts to body heat and weight by 'moulding' to your body, helping relieve pressure points, preventing pressure sores, etc. Most memory foam has the same basic chemical composition, however the density and layer thickness of the foam means different mattresses feel very different. A high density mattress will mean it returns to position more slowly and will be firmer; a lower density will feel more like a normal foam mattress.
At LowestCostMattress.com we offer both solid memory foam beds and mattresses with memory foam toppers. |
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