Since we launched the Lento Care Chair in 2017, we’ve been on a continuous journey of improvement. Not change for change’s sake, but innovation based on real-world feedback from the OTs, physios, care staff, and individuals who use our chairs every day.
Today, we’re introducing the most comprehensive update to the Lento range since its launch. This post breaks down exactly what’s changed, why we made these decisions, and what it means for clinical practice.
Jump straight to…
The Headline Innovation: Levitex® Cradle Cushion Technology
The most significant change across the entire Lento range is the introduction of the Levitex® Cradle Cushion as standard on all models.
This isn’t just a new cushion, it’s a complete rethinking of how we approach pressure care and comfort in seating.
The partnership
We collaborated with Levitex® Foams Ltd, specialists in sleep posture and pressure management, to develop a cushion that could deliver both clinical-grade pressure relief and genuine long-term comfort.
Levitex® brings patented foam technology that has been validated in clinical studies published in the Journal of Wound Care. The research is compelling.
What the evidence shows
The clinical studies on Levitex® foam demonstrated several measurable advantages over traditional support surfaces:
- Pressure redistribution: Effective reduction of both peak and mean interface pressure across contact surfaces
- Perceived comfort: Significantly higher comfort ratings compared with memory foam and standard hospital surfaces
- Relaxation response: Measurable increase in user relaxation when using Levitex® products
- Pressure indices: Reduced mean pressure and notably lower sacral and heel pressure indices
That last point is particularly significant for pressure injury prevention. Sacral and heel pressure are key predictors of pressure ulcer development in seated individuals.
The multi-layer approach
The Levitex® Cradle Cushion doesn’t rely on a single foam technology. It combines the patented Levitex® foam with three additional precision-selected foam grades, each engineered for specific purposes.
These layers are arranged with carefully calculated angles and depths to achieve two objectives simultaneously:
- Optimal pelvic alignment for postural support
- Superior pressure redistribution for tissue health
This addresses a challenge we’ve always faced in seating: balancing the firm support needed for postural stability with the pressure relief essential for skin integrity and comfort during extended sitting.
Real-world application
For care environments where residents or patients spend significant time seated, this technology offers measurable benefits. Users can maintain comfortable, supported positions for longer periods without the pressure-related discomfort that often leads to frequent repositioning.
For therapists, the evidence-based nature of the cushion technology provides solid justification for equipment prescription and funding applications.
Enhanced Transfer Compatibility
One of the most requested improvements from care staff and therapists was better compatibility with transfer aids.
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The problem we solved
Standard care chairs often position armrests in ways that create distance between transfer equipment (hoists, slide boards, standing aids) and the front edge of the seat. This extra distance complicates transfers and can increase strain on care staff.
Our solution
We’ve redesigned the chair base and armrest mounting points to bring transfer aids closer to the front of the chair. The changes are subtle – millimetres in some cases – but the impact on transfer ease is significant.
The new configuration works particularly well with mobile hoists and standing aids, reducing the reach required and making transfers smoother for both users and care staff.
Intuitive Adjustment with Visual Indicators
The toolless adjustment system has always been a defining feature of the Lento range. We’ve now made it even more user-friendly.
What’s changed
Each adjustment point now includes clear measurement indicators showing the current setting. This seemingly simple addition addresses several practical challenges:
Consistency across care teams: Multiple staff members can now easily replicate optimal settings, ensuring users receive consistent positioning regardless of who’s on shift.
Documentation: Recording seating measurements for care plans and therapy notes is now straightforward – staff can simply read the indicators rather than estimating.
Reassessment: When reviewing seating effectiveness, therapists can quickly identify current settings and make informed decisions about adjustments.
The measurement indicators are integrated into the existing adjustment mechanisms, so the toolless operation remains unchanged – just better documented.
Four-Wheel Braking System
Previously, Lento chairs featured brakes on the two front castors. We’ve upgraded to brakes on all four wheels.
Why this matters
During transfers, particularly when using standing aids or mobile hoists, having all four wheels locked provides noticeably better stability. The chair is less likely to shift unexpectedly during weight transfer, which improves safety for both users and care staff.
The new castors also feature a sleek black finish that better suits modern care environments and home settings.
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Integrated Cable Management
For electrically-operated Lento chairs, trailing power cables have always been a minor frustration. The updated range addresses this comprehensively.
The system
Purpose-designed attachment points and routing channels are now integrated into the chair frame. Power cables can be secured and guided along routing channels, keeping them out of the way.
This reduces trip hazards in care environments and creates a neater, more professional appearance.
Updated Aesthetics
While function always comes first, we recognise that appearance matters, particularly for chairs used in home settings or modern care facilities.
Visual improvements include:
- Sleeker overall profile with cleaner lines
- Reduced number of visible seams in upholstery
- Improved armrest comfort through revised padding design
- Refined colour options across the Maximo fabric range
- Black castors replacing the previous grey finish
The changes maintain the Lento’s distinctive appearance whilst giving it a more contemporary, less institutional look.
What Hasn’t Changed
It’s worth noting what we’ve deliberately kept the same:
The core adjustment system remains identical to previous Lento chairs. If your staff are familiar with adjusting existing Lentos, they already know how to adjust the updated models.
Frame construction and warranty are unchanged. Solid stainless steel frames, five-year warranty, manufactured in the UK to the same exacting standards.
Weight capacities and size ranges remain consistent across equivalent models. An updated Lento Care Chair accommodates the same user range as the previous version.
Fabric options continue to include the full Maximo range, with the same durability, infection control properties, and colour choices.
Ultima & Maximo Material Colours
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The Complete Updated Lento Range
All six models in the Lento family now incorporate these improvements:
Lento Care Chair
The foundational model for clinical care seating. Comprehensive adjustment for any adult over 5’2″, tilt-in-space, backrest recline, and leg elevation.
Little Lento
Paediatric version with scaled dimensions for younger users. Grows with the child through its extensive adjustment range.
Lento Bari
Bariatric model with enhanced frame strength and broader seating dimensions. Maintains all adjustment features with higher weight capacity.
Lento Neuro
Specialised design for users with neurological conditions. Features additional lateral supports and enhanced positioning options for tone management.
Lento Mobile
Portable riser recliner designed for users who move between rooms. Combines the comfort of a care chair with mobility independence.
Lento Cove
Our newest addition, launched in 2025 combines advanced postural support with the SpineSupporter™ backrest for complex spinal needs. Features all updates to the base platform plus unique backrest technology.
Check out the Updated Lento Range
Clinical Applications: Who Benefits Most
The updated Lento range maintains its versatility across care settings, but certain improvements are particularly relevant for specific applications:
Pressure injury prevention programmes: The clinical evidence supporting Levitex® technology makes the updated chairs especially suitable for users at elevated pressure injury risk.
High-dependency care: Enhanced transfer compatibility and four-wheel braking improve safety during frequent repositioning and care procedures.
Multi-user environments: Visual measurement indicators support consistent positioning across different staff members and shifts.
Community rehabilitation: The contemporary aesthetics make the chairs more acceptable in home environments whilst delivering full therapeutic functionality.
Long-term residential care: The combination of evidence-based comfort technology and proven durability addresses the dual needs of quality of life and equipment longevity.
Transition and Support
For existing Lento users
If you currently use older Lento models, they remain fully supported. We continue to stock replacement parts, provide service contracts, and offer technical support for all Lento chairs we’ve supplied since 2017.
The updated chairs use the same control systems and adjustment mechanisms, so staff training transfers seamlessly from older to newer models.
Retrofitting considerations
The Levitex® Cradle Cushion is available as a standalone purchase for existing Lento chairs. If you’re happy with your current chair but want to upgrade the cushion technology, contact us to discuss compatibility.
Other updates (castors, cable management systems, aesthetic changes) are integral to the new chair design and aren’t available as retrofits.
Specification Summary
Updated features across all models:
- Levitex® Cradle Cushion as standard
- Measurement indicators on adjustment points
- Four-wheel braking system
- Integrated cable management (electric models)
- Revised aesthetic design
Unchanged specifications:
- Toolless adjustment system operation
- Seat width: 16-22″ (adjustable)
- Seat depth: 18-22″ (adjustable)
- Seat height: 16-21″ (adjustable to floor)
- Arm height: 7-12″ (adjustable)
- Five-year frame warranty
- Made in Britain
- Maximo fabric options
Model-specific dimensions and weight capacities vary – see individual product pages for complete specifications.
Evidence-Based Prescribing
For therapists preparing funding applications or clinical justifications, the updated Lento range offers several advantages:
Published research: The Levitex® foam technology is supported by peer-reviewed studies in recognised journals, providing solid evidence for pressure care capabilities.
Clinical track record: Eight years of Lento chairs in service across NHS and private sector settings demonstrates reliability and effectiveness.
Cost-effectiveness: The combination of durability (five-year frame warranty, longer service life in practice) and clinical benefits supports value-for-money arguments.
Versatility: The adjustment range often allows one chair to serve changing needs over time, reducing the need for replacement equipment as conditions evolve.
What’s Next
This update represents our most comprehensive refinement of the Lento range, but it’s not the end of our innovation programme.
We continue to collaborate with clinicians, researchers, and users to identify areas for improvement. Feedback from your use of the updated chairs will inform our next generation of development.
If you have specific case requirements that current equipment doesn’t quite address, we want to hear from you. Some of our most significant innovations have come from therapists saying “I wish this chair could do X” – and us working out how to make that happen.
Demonstrations and trials
The best way to appreciate the improvements is to see and try the updated chairs in person.
Visit our Wetherby showroom by appointment (parking and wheelchair access on-site), or we can arrange demonstrations at your facility with specific users.
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Product information
Complete specifications, fabric options, and pricing for all Lento models are available on our website:
Get in touch
Have questions about the updates or want to discuss specific cases?
Call us: 01423 799960
Email us: [email protected]
Ralph has many years' experience in the healthcare sector. In a previous life he worked in finance, and his spreadsheet skills come in handy for all the analysis and research he does as he investigates topics and solutions for some of the world's most complex healthcare conditions and challenges. Aside from writing in-depth articles and organising webinars and interviews with top healthcare professionals, Ralph also administrates Vivid's "Healthcare Pioneers Board", a large group of healthcare specialists with multiple disciplines, who are working together to improve care for years to come.
