The specification relates generally to medical equipment, and, in particular, to an apparatus and method for reorienting and/or at least partially elevating a person.
Patients with life threatening health issues may need to be supported by ICU equipment including but not limited to a breathing tube connected to a mechanical ventilator, or other vital monitoring equipment.
In most cases, when a patient is attached to ventilator and or other health support equipment for a long time they need to be sedated or lay down continuously. The sedation or laying down for a long period of time negatively affects the gas exchange in their system. With ongoing life threateningly low levels of oxygen as well as dangerous levels of carbon dioxide in the blood alternative ways to ventilate these patients have been proven useful.
Moving a patient on to their stomach (proning) predictably improves oxygen levels in the blood and allows more efficient ventilation so that carbon dioxide levels decrease. Large studies have shown this approach cuts the mortality rate for these patients in half when used. Recently, with the COVID pandemic, thousands of patients around the world have been admitted to hospitals with severe respiratory failure. Prone ventilation has proven to be particularly effective for these patients. The patients usually go on to their stomach for 16 hr and then are moved back into the supine position for 8 hr with this cycle often repeated for several days.
In spite of the success of this strategy to ventilate patients it has been uncommonly used in ICU's, mostly because the movement of a critically ill, anesthetized patient who is connected to a ventilator and intravenous lines so that medication can be continuously infused, is difficult. It is essentially a “dead lift” of an unstable patient, often obese (>100 Kg) and requires a 5-7 person team. This is a physically demanding exercise for the healthcare team that can result in strain injuries for healthcare workers. In addition, it can be dangerous for the patient if lines are accidentally removed during the process.
In one aspect, there is provided an apparatus for reorienting a person, comprising: a wrap having a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion, the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion being releasably securable to one another along an anterior region of the wrap between lateral sides of the person and along a posterior region of the wrap between the lateral sides of the person via a set of fasteners, each of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion being dimensioned to extend around a corresponding one of the lateral sides of the person and having anterior and posterior edges that are dimensioned to extend at most partway across to an opposite one of the lateral sides of the person, the wrap being made from flexible materials and dimensioned to extend at least from below knees of the person to above the elbows of the person and snugly retain the person therein when the wrap is positioned on the person and the first and second sets of fasteners are secured.
At least one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion can include a set of connectors positioned along at least one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion, the set of connectors being located along the at least one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion from at least adjacent to the knees to at least adjacent to the elbows of the person and being located towards a corresponding one of the lateral sides of the person when the person is retained in the wrap. The set of connectors can include loops. The apparatus can further include a support structure coupled or couplable to a hoist and to the set of connectors to inhibit relative movement of the knees, hips, and shoulders of the person when secured in the wrap and coupled to the hoist.
The support structure can have a set of wrap connectors for coupling to the set of connectors of the wrap retaining a person along a longitudinal axis of the person, the support structure having a set of hoist connectors dimensioned to be couplable to a hoist, the set of hoist connectors enabling coupling of the hoist to the support structure at at least two positions along the longitudinal axis. The support structure can be inflexible to bowing towards the person-retaining structure. The support structure can be a rigid member.
The set of connectors can be a first set of connectors, and wherein a second set of connectors can be positioned along the at least one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion further towards one of the anterior joint and the posterior joint relative to the at least one first connector, the support structure being selectively couplable to the at least one first connector or the at least one second connector. The apparatus can further include an expansion portion that is positionable between and couplable to the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion to enlarge the wrap.
The apparatus can further include an expansion portion that is positionable between and couplable to the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion to enlarge the wrap.
At least one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion can include a set of handles positioned along at least one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion, the set of handles being located towards a corresponding one of the lateral sides of the person when the person is secured in the wrap. The set of handles can be a first set of handles positioned along the first lateral portion, and a second set of handles can be positioned along the second lateral portion and located towards the lateral side of the person covered by the second lateral portion when the person is secured in the wrap.
The first lateral portion and the second lateral portion can be dimensioned to position the anterior joint towards one of the lateral sides of the person when the wrap is secured on the person.
At least one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion can include a flap that is openable to expose a posterior side of the person while the wrap remains secured thereon.
The first lateral portion and the second lateral portion can extend between the anterior joint and the posterior joint are substantially laterally inflexible.
In another aspect, there is provided an apparatus for reorienting a person, comprising a support structure having a first set of connectors for connecting to a second set of connectors of a person-retaining structure retaining a person along a longitudinal axis of the person, the support structure having a set of hoist connectors dimensioned to be couplable to a hoist, the set of hoist connectors enabling coupling of the hoist to the support structure at at least two positions along the longitudinal axis.
The person-retaining structure can be a wrap that inhibits relative movement of the knees, hips, and shoulders of a person.
The support structure can be inflexible to bowing towards the person-retaining structure.
The support structure can be a rigid member.
In a further aspect, there is provided a method for reorienting a person, comprising: elevating a first lateral side of a person positioned on a surface; positioning a first lateral portion of a wrap on the surface where the first lateral side of the person was resting before being elevated; resting the first lateral side of the person on the first lateral portion of the wrap; elevating a second lateral side of the person; positioning a second lateral portion of the wrap adjacent to the first lateral portion and coupling the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion, the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion being releasably securable to one another along an anterior region of the wrap between lateral sides of the person and along a posterior region of the wrap between the lateral sides of the person via a set of fasteners, each of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion being dimensioned to extend around a corresponding one of the lateral sides of the person and having anterior and posterior edges that are dimensioned to extend at most partway across to an opposite one of the lateral sides of the person, the wrap being made from flexible materials and dimensioned to extend at least from below the knees of the person to above the elbows of the person and snugly retain the person therein when the wrap encircles the person and the first and second sets of fasteners are secured; resting the second lateral side of the person on the second lateral portion of the wrap, at least one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion having at least one connector located towards one of the lateral sides of the person when the person is retained in the wrap; coupling the wrap to a support structure that is generally inflexible along a longitudinal axis and a hoist via the at least one connector; and operating the hoist to at least partially elevate the at least one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion.
The method can include operating the hoist to fully elevate the wrap retaining the person. The method can include repositioning the wrap retaining the person. The method can include lowering the wrap retaining the person once repositioned, and decoupling the support structure from the wrap. The method can include uncoupling the first and second lateral portions along an exposed anterior or posterior side of the person. The method can further include elevating one of the first lateral side of the person; decoupling and removing a corresponding one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion; resting the one of the first lateral side and the second lateral side of the person on the surface; elevating the other of the first lateral side and the second lateral side of the person; and removing the remaining one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion.
In yet another aspect, there is provided an apparatus for reorienting a person, comprising a wrap being sufficiently flexible to encircle a person from below the knees to the shoulders of the person, and the having at least one fastener for securing the wrap around the person, the wrap being dimensioned to snugly retain the person therein, the wrap including a set of connectors positioned towards a corresponding one of the lateral sides of the person when the person is retained in the wrap, the set of connectors extending from at least adjacent to the knees to at least adjacent to the elbows.
In another aspect, there is provided an apparatus for reorienting a person, comprising: a wrap having a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion, the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion being releasably securable to one another along an anterior region of the wrap between lateral sides of the person and along a posterior region of the wrap between the lateral sides of the person via a set of fasteners, each of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion being dimensioned to extend around a corresponding one of the lateral sides of the person and having anterior and posterior edges that are dimensioned to extend at most partway across to an opposite one of the lateral sides of the person, the wrap being made from flexible materials and dimensioned to extend at least from below knees of the person to above the elbows of the person and snugly retain the person therein when the wrap is positioned on the person and the first and second sets of fasteners are secured.
At least one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion can include a set of connectors positioned along at least one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion, the set of connectors being located along the at least one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion from at least adjacent to the knees to at least adjacent to the elbows of the person and being located towards a corresponding one of the lateral sides of the person when the person is retained in the wrap. The set of connectors can include loops. The apparatus can further include a support structure coupled or couplable to a hoist and to the set of connectors to inhibit relative movement of the knees, hips, and shoulders of the person when secured in the wrap and coupled to the hoist.
The support structure can have a set of wrap connectors for coupling to the set of connectors of the wrap retaining a person along a longitudinal axis of the person, the support structure having a set of hoist connectors dimensioned to be couplable to a hoist, the set of hoist connectors enabling coupling of the hoist to the support structure at at least two positions along the longitudinal axis. The support structure can be inflexible to bowing towards the person-retaining structure. The support structure can be a rigid member.
The set of connectors can be a first set of connectors, and wherein a second set of connectors can be positioned along the at least one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion further towards one of the anterior joint and the posterior joint relative to the at least one first connector, the support structure being selectively couplable to the at least one first connector or the at least one second connector. The apparatus can further include an expansion portion that is positionable between and couplable to the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion to enlarge the wrap.
The apparatus can further include an expansion portion that is positionable between and couplable to the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion to enlarge the wrap.
At least one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion can include a set of handles positioned along at least one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion, the set of handles being located towards a corresponding one of the lateral sides of the person when the person is secured in the wrap. The set of handles can be a first set of handles positioned along the first lateral portion, and a second set of handles can be positioned along the second lateral portion and located towards the lateral side of the person covered by the second lateral portion when the person is secured in the wrap.
The first lateral portion and the second lateral portion can be dimensioned to position the anterior joint towards one of the lateral sides of the person when the wrap is secured on the person.
At least one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion can include a flap that is openable to expose a posterior side of the person while the wrap remains secured thereon.
The first lateral portion and the second lateral portion can extend between the anterior joint and the posterior joint are substantially laterally inflexible.
In still another aspect, there is provided a method for at least partially elevating a person, comprising: elevating a first lateral side of a person positioned on a surface; positioning a first lateral portion of a wrap on the surface where the first lateral side of the person was resting before being elevated; resting the first lateral side of the person on the first lateral portion of the wrap; elevating a second lateral side of the person; positioning a second lateral portion of the wrap adjacent to the first lateral portion and coupling the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion, the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion being releasably securable to one another along an anterior region of the wrap between lateral sides of the person and along a posterior region of the wrap between the lateral sides of the person via a set of fasteners, each of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion being dimensioned to extend around a corresponding one of the lateral sides of the person and having anterior and posterior edges that are dimensioned to extend at most partway across to an opposite one of the lateral sides of the person, the wrap being made from flexible materials and dimensioned to extend at least from below the knees of the person to above the elbows of the person and snugly retain the person therein when the wrap encircles the person and the first and second sets of fasteners are secured; resting the second lateral side of the person on the second lateral portion of the wrap, at least one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion having at least one connector located towards one of the lateral sides of the person when the person is retained in the wrap; coupling the wrap to a support structure that is generally inflexible along a longitudinal axis and a hoist via the at least one connector; and operating the hoist to at least partially elevate the at least one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion.
The method can include operating the hoist to fully elevate the wrap retaining the person. The method can include repositioning the wrap retaining the person. The method can include lowering the wrap retaining the person once repositioned, and decoupling the support structure from the wrap. The method can include uncoupling the first and second lateral portions along an exposed anterior or posterior side of the person. The method can further include elevating one of the first lateral side of the person; decoupling and removing a corresponding one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion; resting the one of the first lateral side and the second lateral side of the person on the surface; elevating the other of the first lateral side and the second lateral side of the person; and removing the remaining one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion.
In still yet another aspect, there is provided an apparatus for at least partially elevating a person, comprising a support structure having a first set of connectors for connecting to a second set of connectors of a person-retaining structure retaining a person along a longitudinal axis of the person, the support structure having a set of hoist connectors dimensioned to be couplable to a hoist, the set of hoist connectors enabling coupling of the hoist to the support structure at at least two positions along the longitudinal axis.
The person-retaining structure can be a wrap that inhibits relative movement of the knees, hips, and shoulders of a person.
The support structure can be inflexible to bowing towards the person-retaining structure.
The support structure can be a rigid member.
Other technical advantages may become readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after review of the following figures and description.
For a better understanding of the embodiment(s) described herein and to show more clearly how the embodiment(s) may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:
Unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment or embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. It should be understood at the outset that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described below, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.
Various terms used throughout the present description may be read and understood as follows, unless the context indicates otherwise: “or” as used throughout is inclusive, as though written “and/or”; singular articles and pronouns as used throughout include their plural forms, and vice versa; similarly, gendered pronouns include their counterpart pronouns so that pronouns should not be understood as limiting anything described herein to use, implementation, performance, etc. by a single gender; “exemplary” should be understood as “illustrative” or “exemplifying” and not necessarily as “preferred” over other embodiments. Further definitions for terms may be set out herein; these may apply to prior and subsequent instances of those terms, as will be understood from a reading of the present description. It will also be noted that the use of the term “a” or “an” will be understood to denote “at least one” in all instances unless explicitly stated otherwise or unless it would be understood to be obvious that it must mean “one”.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.
The term “longitudinal”, unless specified otherwise, shall mean, as used herein, extending generally parallel to an axis between the head and feet of a person.
The lateral portions 24a, 24b are releasably securable to one another along an anterior joint 30 positioned along an anterior region 32 of the wrap 20 between lateral sides of a person when retained therein via a first set of fasteners 36a, 36b. In addition, the lateral portions 24a, 24b are releasably securable to one another along a posterior joint 40 positioned along a posterior region 44 of the wrap 20 between the lateral sides of the person when retained therein via a second set of fasteners 48a, 48b. While the fasteners 36a, 36b, 48a, 48b are shown as hook-and-loop fasteners of the lateral portions 24a, 24b, any suitable means for releasably securing the lateral portions 24a, 24b to one another can be employed. Preferably, the fasteners are positioned towards the anterior and posterior edges 52, 56 to facilitate securing of the lateral portions 24a, 24b to one another. For example, the fasteners 36a, 36b, 48a, 48b can be hook-and-loop fabric patches, zippers, snaps, hooks and corresponding loops, buttons and buttonholes resistant to tensile forces, etc. In some embodiments, the fasteners provide adjustability of the position of the lateral portions relative to one another when secured together so that a range of differently sized persons can be accommodated using the wrap. The fasteners are selected to be sufficiently secure when closed to support the weight of a person enveloped in the wrap 20. It is contemplated that the dimensions of the wrap 20 will accommodate a range of sizes of person and that a set of sizes of the wrap can be provided to accommodate a set of ranges of sizes of people.
In a healthcare facility, a healthcare worker such as a nurse can place the wrap 20 on a bed before a patient arrives to the intensive care unit so that the wrap 20 is positioned underneath the patient 60 when they are placed in the bed.
When it is desired to at least partially elevate the patient 60 on the bed between the supine position and the prone position, the wrap 20 is enclosed around the patient 60 and secured via the fasteners 36a, 36b on the anterior side of the patient 60.
Each of the right lateral portion 24a and the left lateral portion 24b is configured to extend around the right and left lateral sides 64a, 64b, respectively, of the patient 60.
The anterior and posterior edges 52, 56 of the right lateral portion 24a and the left lateral portion 24b are configured to extend at most partway across to an opposite one of the lateral sides 64a, 64b of the patient 60.
When secured on the patient 60, the wrap 20 is configured to extend at least from below knees of the patient 60 to above the elbows of the patient 60 to immobilize the body of the patient 60 when snugly retained therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the wrap extends from above the shoulders to the ankles of the patient 60.
Upon coupling of the support bar 76 to a lateral side of the wrap 20 and to a hoist, the patient can be at least partially elevated. A nurse on each side of the patient and a respiratory therapist at the head of the bed use the lift to slowly rotate and then lift the secured patient above the bed. Once lifted and having a lateral side hanging downwards towards the bed, the patient is then positioned so that they are lowered to the desired position (i.e., supine or prone). Padding to support the shoulders, the pelvis, and the knees can be secured to the patient when supine, and lifted with the patient. Alternatively, the patient can be rolled prone on to the pads that are put in place. Once prone, the vinyl straps, which are held in place on the wrap with adhesive or fastener attachments, or any other suitable means, are loosened and then rotated off the posterior of the patient. The posterior side of the two-piece wrap, which was held together with the fasteners, is separated to expose the back of the patient. The nurse has access to the patient for nursing purposes and the tight wrap 20 can be released, so the “binder” effect of the wrap 20 can be terminated quickly.
A patient is typically prone for 16 hours and then turned back to the supine position. To do this, the nurse will close the wrap 20 by wrapping the lateral portions 24a, 24b tightly over the patient 60 and securing together the fasteners 48a, 48b of the lateral portions 24a, 24b of the wrap 20 along the posterior edges 56. The straps 72 are then rotated across the patient's posterior and tightened and secured with a D-ring apparatus to re-envelop the patient securely in the wrap 20. The wrap 20 can then be connected to the support bar 76, and healthcare workers (such as a three-person team) work to lift and reorient the patient from a prone position to a supine position. This cycle can be repeated as needed, often for several days. The wrap 20 can be used for several days over the proning cycle. The apparatus including the wrap 20 and the support bar 76 are reusable and easily cleaned between uses.
In an alternative embodiment, the straps can couple to connectors on both lateral sides of the body of the patient to enable connection to the support bar and the lift on either lateral side of the patient. In addition, the loops 168 can be configured to serve as handles for manual movement of the patient 60 in the wrap 100.
Loops 120 on the outer surfaces of the right lateral portion 124a and the left lateral portion 124b that are positioned on the posterior of a patient when enveloped within the wrap 100.
Now with reference to
The opposite lateral side of the patient 60 is then lifted to roll the patient 60 onto their other shoulder/lateral side (312). In the example, the patient 60 is rolled onto their left lateral side LLS, which is positioned on the left lateral portion 124b, as illustrated in
The lateral portions 124a, 124b of the wrap 100 are then coupled along the exposed side of the patient 60 (324). As shown in
Next, the wrap 100 is coupled to a support bar and the hoist 92 (328).
Returning again to
Once the patient 60 is elevated above the bed 118, the guide straps 150 can be employed to guide a lower hanging lateral side 119 of the patient 60 to an opposite lateral side of the bed 118 which it previously was not positioned on, or to stabilize the patient's movement. The cradle 117 of the hoist can then be operated to lower the patient 60 until the lower hanging lateral side 119 is positioned just over its desired location on the bed 118.
Returning again to
While the wrap 100 is made of a breathable material, it can be desirable to remove it from underneath the patient 60. If it is desired to remove the wrap 100 from underneath the patient (352), the patient 60 is rolled onto a lateral side (356).
The wrap 100 can be maintained in place underneath the patient 60 when the patient 60 is not being lifted so that it is ready for a subsequent reorientation of the patient 60 via the hoist.
After decoupling of the support bar 176 to the loops 168, the loops 120 enable the support bar 176 to be coupled thereto and coupled to a lift to enable elevation of the torso of the patient 60 while the patient 60 is in the prone position to facilitate access and assessment of the head and neck of the patient 60 by healthcare workers.
While, in the above-described embodiment, the connectors are provided via loops defined by a reinforcement fabric strip stitched to the central region of the lateral portion, various other manners for providing connectors can be employed. In one particular embodiment, fabric strips can be stitched to the central region of the lateral portions so that one or more loops are provided. In another embodiment, apertures in the central region can enable coupling of links to a rigid member to support the person. Here, it can be beneficial to reinforce the material at least around the apertures to inhibit tearing.
It is contemplated that the wrap can be accommodated with heating and/or cooling elements, or could couple to heating and/or cooling devices, to provide temperature control to a person.
The wrap can include or be configured to connect to padding positioned between the person and the wrap to prevent pressure point irritation and/or damage to the skin of the person.
A set of resilient straps 524 are stitched or otherwise fastened onto the main panel 520 and extend laterally along the main panel 520 of each of the right and left lateral portions 500, 504. Each end of each strap 524 is folded back and stitched to provide a connector in the form of a loop 528, as shown in
Three straps 532 extend longitudinally (relative to a person) and parallel to one another. The straps 532 are stitched at various positions to the main panel 520 along their length, defining spans between the stitched positions that are not secured to the main panel 520. These spans serve as handles 536 that enable manual lifting of the person once the person is secured within the wrap. Each strap 532 provides a set of handles 536. When the wrap is secured on a person, it is possible that the wrap can be shifted laterally about the circumference of the person due to misalignments between the person and the wrap when being positioned thereon, as a result of eventual slippage between the person and the wrap, etc. The three sets of handles 536 enable healthcare professionals the ability to select a position from the three sets of handles 536 from which to lift the person. It may be desirable to lift the person from the set of handles closest to the lateral side of the person in many scenarios.
A left lateral portion 700 and a right lateral portion 704 of a wrap in accordance with another embodiment are shown in
The anterior regions AR of the lateral portions 700, 704 form the anterior region of the wrap, and the posterior regions PR of the lateral portions 700, 704 form the posterior region of the wrap. Preferably, the hook-and-loop fabric is selected to provide sufficient resistance to separation via shearing forces. Reinforcement straps 724 are stitched along the lateral portions between the remote ends of the anterior straps 712 and the posterior straps 716. Strips of a strong, flexible material span the reinforcement straps 724 and are stitched thereunder, running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the patient 60. The strips are sufficiently long to enable healthcare workers to grasp the handles 728 to at least partially elevate the patient 60. The reinforcement straps 724 are stitched to provide a gather at the intersections with the handle-forming straps to provide connectors in the form of loops 732. A strip of flexible, resilient material spans across the outside surface of the end of each anterior and posterior strap 712 of the right lateral portion 704 to provide pull tabs 736 that assist a user to pull open the edge of the wrap.
Now referring to
When it is desired to lift the person from a lateral side, one of the adjustable straps 836 of each of the composite connector straps 820 can be connected to the loops 732 along the lateral side of the person, and the other adjustable strap 836 is left free. The triangle carabiner 828 is coupled to a corresponding connector 804, and a hoist cradle is coupled to two of the hoist connectors 808. Alternatively, if the person is to be lifted either in a prone or supine position, the adjustable straps 836 of each composite connector strap 820 are coupled to the loops 732 of opposing lateral sides. The lengths of the adjustable straps 836 can be adjusted as desired to support the person in a desired alignment.
It is contemplated that the dimensions of the wraps illustrated and described herein will accommodate a range of sizes of person, and that a set of sizes of the wrap can be provided to accommodate a set of ranges of sizes of people.
In some embodiments, the wrap can be made as an integral item. In such scenarios, it can be desirable to provide one or more openings along a posterior surface of the wrap to provide access to the posterior of a person when the person is prone.
It will be appreciated that the process or reorienting a person from supine to prone as described above readily applies in the same general manner to the reorientation of a person from prone to supine.
In the above embodiments, the anterior and posterior edges of the lateral portions overlap, but, in other embodiments, the anterior and posterior edges of the lateral portions may not necessarily overlap. Further, the anterior and posterior joints between the lateral portions of the wrap can be configured to be positioned anywhere between the lateral sides of a person so that one of the lateral portions can be secured and unsecured when the person is on one lateral side of their body.
Preferably, the anterior and posterior regions of the wrap are relatively flat and do not have elements that, when lain upon by a person, could create pressure points on their skin.
While, in the above-described embodiments, the support structures/bars have been rigid, other materials for the support structures can be selected that are generally inflexible to inhibit relative movement of the knees, hips, and shoulders of a person secured in a wrap and connected to the support structure at points along the span between the person's knees and shoulders.
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative implementations and modifications possible, and that the above examples are only illustrations of one or more implementations. The scope, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto and any amendments made thereto.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/198,613, filed Oct. 29, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
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