Introduction: Immobile elderly Japanese patients with joint contractures and/or extreme bony prominences are at a high risk of pressure ulcer development due to localized high interface pressure. To solve this problem, we developed a mechanism for reducing localized high interface pressure by utilizing independent air-cell control based on interface pressure information obtained through continuous monitoring.
　Objective: The aim of this study was twofold: to develop a new mechanism for controlling inner air-cell pressure to reduce localized high interface pressure by monitoring pressure distribution; and to validate the efficacy of this mechanism for localized pressure redistribution（LPR）among healthy participants.
　Methods: In 13 healthy adult participants, interface pressure, blood flow, and discomfort at the greater trochanter were measured with or without our newly designed mechanism allowing rapid and dynamic inflation and deflation of air-cells.
　Results: The results from the healthy adult participants showed that the inflationary and deflationary mechanism successfully redistributed areas of localized high interface pressure continuously, thereby contributing to the recovery of blood flow during air-cell deflation in healthy participants. Pain scores also significantly decreased with LPR.
　Discussion: Our air mattress, equipped with independently pressure-controlled air-cells responsive to interface pressure distribution, may be useful in preventing pressure ulcer development.