BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a positioning device according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a positioning device according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged view of a score line removably connection portions of the position device according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a positioning device according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a positioning device according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 6 is perspective view of yet another embodiment of a positioning device according to the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
This invention relates generally to positioning devices, more particularly to medical positioning devices that have at least one removable portion to allow the positioning device to be utilized for a variety of patient anatomies. With reference to the drawings, the positioning device according to the present disclosure comprises a first portion and at least one removably connected second portion. The device may be made of foam, preferably polyurethane. The second portion of the device can be removably connected to the first portion by at least one perforation. In one embodiment, the first portion is configured to support a limb. When the device is configured to support a limb the first portion may have a planar bottom and a curved top. In another embodiment, the first portion is configured to support a head. When the device is configured to support a head, the first portion is made of at least one ring. In yet another embodiment, the positioning device is for airway management and includes a head and neck support, a body support connected to the head and neck support and a removable portion connected to the body support. The positioning device for airway management may be made of foam, preferably polyurethane. The removable portion may be connected to the body support, the head and neck support or both by at least one perforation. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method of using the device according to the present disclosure.
With reference to the drawings, FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a positioning device in accordance with the present disclosure. The positioning device 10 includes a first portion 20. First portion 20 is removably connected to a second portion 30. In FIG. 1, first portion 20 is removably connected to second portion 30 by perforation line 40. While FIG. 1 shows perforation line as a series of perforations, one perforation or partial die cut may be sufficient to allow clinician to remove second portion 30. A plan view of positioning device 10 is shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, positioning device 10 includes multiple perforation lines 40, 60, and 80. In FIG. 2, first portion 20 is removably connected to second portion 30 by perforation line 40. Second portion 30 is removably connected to a third portion 50 by perforation line 60. Third portion 50 is removably connected to a forth portion 70 by perforation line 80. There may be one or several perforation lines depending on the configuration of the positioning device.
A clinician may remove one or more portions of positioning device 10 to fit the needs of the patient. Positioning device 10 may be configured to support a limb, head, or provide overall body support. To provide overall body support the device could be placed under the trunk of a person. For example, a tall patient may not need any portions removed whereas a child may need several of the portions removed. A variety of positioners are currently being marketed under the DEVON brand name and are available from the Ludlow Technical Products Division of Tyco Healthcare Group LP, Mansfield, Mass.
FIG. 3 shows perforation line 80 in detail. Perforation line 80 as shown in FIG. 3 includes a series of perforations. Perforation line 80 may only include one perforation 90. Perforation 90 may or may not completely penetrate through positioning device 10. Perforation 90 may also be one uniform partial die cut or slit that does not penetrate through positioning device 10. The perforations need only to be deep enough to allow for the portions of positioning device 10 be separated into portions making it possible to adjust the size of the positioning device accordingly.
The positioning device shown in FIGS. 1-6 is preferably formed from structural foam or other material capable of supporting various body weights, including patens of size. The positioning device is preferably formed from polyurethane but may be formed from polyurethane foam, elastomeric material, or combinations thereof. The positioning device may consist of foam of a variety of densities to assist with position and ease of removability of the portions of positioning device 10.
Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. Positioning device 110, shown in FIG. 4, is configured to support a patient's leg. Positioning device 110 has a planar bottom surface 180 and an upright foot support 190. Positioning device 110 has a curved non-planar surface. Positioning device 110 includes at least a perforation line 140 along the width of the positioning device 110 or a perforation line 170 along the length of positioning device 110. A first portion 120 is removably connected to at least one second portion 130 by perforation line 140. Additionally or in the alternative, a first portion 150 is removably connected to a second portion 160 by perforation line 170. Perforation line 170 allows for a clinician to adjust the width of positioning device 110, while perforation line 140 allows for a clinician to adjust the length of positioning device 110. This makes it possible for the positioning device of the present disclosure to fit a range of patient sizes from a child to an adult, including patients of size.
Another alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows positioning device 210. Positioning device 210 is configured to support a head. Positioning device 210 includes at least one ring 260 to provide support for a patient's head and neck. Positioning device 210 includes a circular perforation line 240. Perforation line 240 allows for a second portion 230 to be removed from a first portion 220 to make a head opening 250 larger to fit a patient with a larger head.
Alternatively, a positioning device to be used for airway management is shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows positioning device 310. Positioning device 310 includes a head and neck support 320. The head and neck support 320 is connected to a body support 330 and is configured to put the body in correct alignment to aid in airway management. Positioning device 310 includes removable portion 340 that is coupled to body support 320. Positioning device 310 also includes a removable portion 370 that is coupled to body support 330 and the head and neck support 320. Positioning device 310 can include one or more removable portions that can be coupled to body support 330, head and neck support 320, or both. Positioning device 310 includes perforation line 350 and perforation line 360. Perforation line 350 allows a clinician to remove portion 340 to adjust the length of positioning device 310. Perforation line 360 allows a clinician to remove portion 370 to adjust the width of positioning device 310.
The positioning device shown in FIGS. 1-6 can be manufactured by cutting a large block of foam into the desired shape of the positioning device. Such cutting processes are well known in the art. The positioning device manufactured by this method may be one piece with different portions. Alternatively, the positioning device according to the present disclosure may be made of multiple pieces that are connected together.
In light of the foregoing disclosure of the invention and description of the preferred embodiments, those skilled in this area of technology will readily understand that various modifications and adaptations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Patent Application
20070294829
