For people with reduced mobility who spend extended periods seated, pressure injuries aren’t just uncomfortable - they can be painful, life‑altering, and even life‑threatening.
Adelaide innovator Mossa Medical is tackling this challenge through the ARIIA x MDPP Ideas Incubator, coordinated by Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA), with technical support from Flinders University’s Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP).
Together, they’ve developed an Automatic Smart Pressure Cushion prototype that monitors and adjusts pressure in selectively inflatable cells to protect users’ skin, comfort, and independence.
Pressure injuries are a serious and largely preventable issue, impacting 5.5% of people in residential aged care (over 10,500 cases annually) and costing up to AU$98,489 per case to treat. In hospitals, prevalence is 12.9%, with costs estimated at $9.11 billion each year - highlighting an urgent need for effective solutions.
Mossa Medical combines cutting edge technology with a patient-centred approach to create effective, sustainable solutions that prioritise healing, prevention, and overall well-being.
Their smart cushion uses sensors and adaptive air cells to deliver tailored, dynamic pressure relief in real time, reducing damaging pressure points and enabling longer, more comfortable sitting without compromising skin health.
Founder Andrew Mencel said the expert guidance and tailored support they received through the ARIIA x MDPP Ideas Incubator was invaluable.
“ARIIA’s deep understanding of the aged care market and strategic landscape combined with MDPP’s technical expertise in product prototyping have been crucial in positioning us strongly for the next stages of growth.”
ARIIA coordinated the program and provided a detailed market report with industry insights, while MDPP led product prototyping to create a functional proof-of-concept, delivering Mossa Medical both technical validation and market confidence.
Joanne-Lee Tan said ARIIA brings robust sector knowledge, market insight, and strategic guidance that ensure innovations align with real world needs in aged care.
“We offer a comprehensive support system - helping to bridge market opportunities and technical development.”
MDPP Director, Professor Karen Reynolds, said the combination of her team’s technical skills and engineering capabilities with ARIIA’s market insights and real user needs has helped move this product closer to making a real difference for people with mobility issues.
“Collaborative partnerships like this accelerate innovation and help ensure new technologies achieve genuine impact for users and the sector as a whole,” said Professor Reynolds.
With a proven prototype and a clear pathway forward, Mossa Medical is now seeking investment to build a full-scale clinical testing model and advance manufacturing plans.
This innovation holds tremendous promise for the health and aged care sectors - offering a powerful way to reduce largely preventable pressure injuries, enhance comfort, protect mobility, and dramatically improve the quality of life for some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
By transforming how pressure care is managed, this smart cushion could redefine aged care standards and bring greater independence and dignity to those who need it most.
