Patent Application
20250073108
This disclosure relates generally to a patient support device, and more particularly to an inflatable patient support device.
During medical procedures a patient is generally placed on a procedure table. In some procedures, a patient positioner is used to situate the patient in a specific location or position on the procedure table. The tilt angle of the procedure table can also change during a procedure. Illustrating by example, in some abdominal or other surgical procedures the tilt angle of the procedure table gets changed such that the patient's pelvis is above the head to allow gravity to assist in moving organs not involved in the procedure away from the procedure site. Such a position is commonly referred to as the “Trendelenburg” position after the German surgeon Friedrich Trendelenburg. In addition to facilitating the gravitational movement of organs away from the procedure site, the Trendelenburg position provides an advantageous field of view of the surgeon during many procedures. In some procedures, the steeper the angle of tilt, the more effectively the patient is positioned. Some Trendelenburg positions have corresponding tilt angles of forty-five degrees or greater.
When placing a person in the Trendelenburg position, medical practitioners worry about the patient slipping or sliding along the procedure table due to the tilt angle. If a person slips, not only can it affect the procedure, but repositioning the person can require the assistance of multiple people. This problem is complicated by the fact that the patient is generally anesthetized during a surgical procedure, which makes the patient harder to reposition. Repositioning a patient can be tedious, time consuming, and especially hazardous if the surgical operation is well in progress. It would be advantageous to have an improved patient positioner that is easier to use and more reliable.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present disclosure.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.
Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present disclosure, it should be observed that the apparatus components and method steps described below have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of constructing such apparatus components and executing such methods with minimal experimentation.
Embodiments of the disclosure are now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” Relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions.
The terms “substantially,” “essentially,” “approximately,” “about,” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within ten percent, in another embodiment within five percent, in another embodiment within one percent and in another embodiment within one-half percent. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly. Also, reference designators shown herein in parenthesis indicate components shown in a figure other than the one in discussion. For example, talking about a device (10) while discussing figure A would refer to an element, 10, shown in figure other than figure A.
Embodiments of the disclosure provide a patient positioner that comprises an upper patient positioner surface coupled to a lower patient positioner surface along a perimeter. One or more baffles couple the upper patient positioner surface to the lower patient positioner surface interior of the perimeter, with the one or more baffles defining a plurality of air chambers within the patient positioner.
In one or more embodiments, one or more selectively engaging surface gripping zones are attached to the lower patient positioner surface. in one or more embodiments, the one or more selectively engaging surface gripping zones are positioned centrally along the one or more baffles on a one-to-one basis such that grippy feet of the one or more selectively engaging surface gripping zones extend distally beyond exterior surfaces of the plurality of air chambers. Thus, when the patient positioner is positioned on a procedure table with the lower patient positioner surface facing the procedure table, the grippy feet engage the procedure table to keep the patient positioner from sliding. It should be noted that as used herein, a “procedure table” includes intensive care unit beds, medical beds, surgery tables, and so forth, as “procedure table” is intended to describe any flat, curved, or other shaped surface configured to support a patient while a health care services provider performs a procedure thereon in a facility (imaging tables are frequently concave in shape).
However, in one or more embodiments the grippy feet retract within concave lacuna situated beneath apices of the plurality of air chambers when in an inflated state. This allows air exit holes to emit air to create an air bearing, thereby making it simple and easy to move the patient positioner since the grippy feet are not in contact with the procedure table when the air chambers are inflated.
Illustrating by example, in one or more embodiments the grippy feet, which define “friction enhancing zones” and are configured as dots or strips or patches situated on an upper patient positioner surface, lower patient positioner surface, or combinations thereof, can be included in zones centered around the sewn seams and are minimally on the lower patient positioner surface of the patient positioner but are optionally also situated on the upper patient positioner surface to grip patient. In one or more embodiments, the grippy feet can extend to seven eights (preferred), five-eights (more preferred), or three-eighths or less (most preferred) of a distance to a midline defined by between sewn seams. In one or more embodiments, selectively engaging surface gripping zones and corresponding materials can be symmetrical or asymmetrical around the sewn seams and/or the upper patient positioner surface or lower patient positioner surface. In one or more embodiments, the selectively engaging surface gripping zones can be rectangular, circular, triangular, configured as letters, configured as numbers, or take other shapes. In one or more embodiments, the selectively engaging surface gripping zones comprise grippy feet dots or can be continuous sheets of friction adjusting materials.
In one or more embodiments, the grippy feet friction enhancing zone material can be tailored for friction, toughness, softness to skin contact, and so forth. Some non-limiting examples of friction modifiers are polymers such as rubbers, e.g., urethane rubber, silicon rubber, polyalkylene rubber, etc., foams, gels, friction increasing surface treatments (like wax, etc.). Preferred materials are silicone polymers, urethane polymers, alkylene polymers, or combinations thereof. Other friction adjusting material or combinations thereof can also be used and one skilled in the art with this teaching can formulate accordingly.
As noted above, when a patient is anesthetized it may be difficult to situate the patient in a particular position on a procedure table. This difficulty is compounded when the procedure table needs to be tilted to perform a particular procedure. Tilting results in the patient being positioned at an angle, with gravity operating on the patient. When in the Trendelenburg position, reverse Trendelenburg position, or other position where a procedure table is tilted from horizontal, the procedure table may be tilted up to forty-five degrees at times. This can make maintaining the patient's position on the table difficult due to the fact that they can easily slide. Tilting the operating table results in the patient laying supine at an angle, wherein the patient's feet may be above the patient's head or the patient's head may be above the patient's feet. One such common positioning in surgery is the Trendelenburg position, where the patient is tilted at 15 degrees to 45 degrees and the patient's feet are elevated above the patient's head. Another common position is the reverse Trendelenburg position where the patient is tilted at 15 degrees to 45 degrees and the patient's head is elevated about the patient's pelvis. When in the Trendelenburg position, the reverse Trendelenburg position, or other position where a procedure table is tilted from horizontal, it is difficult to maintain the patient's position upon the operating table. Current methods of maintaining patient positioning can cause injury to the patient or increase the patient's level of discomfort.
Compounding this problem is the fact that patients sometimes must be repositioned or moved from one support surface to another. This can be both difficult and time consuming. If there is a need to turn or move a patient, injuries can result if the patient is not handled properly. What's more, the health care service provider can be injured from lifting, bending, or reaching during patient repositioning activities. While such injuries can be sudden, then can also result from cumulative patient repositioning activities, arising after extended performance of patient repositioning activities.
There have been many prior art attempts to provide patient positioners that retain the patient on the procedure table when in the Trendelenburg position, reverse Trendelenburg position, or other position where a procedure table is tilted from horizontal. Many involve padded barriers placed against the patient's body and held against the procedure table by elongated arms extending from rails. The arms are long and thus create large torque moments. These moments cause locking and other mechanical components to wear and fail. Moreover, these complex solutions require the time-consuming manipulation knobs, levers, and latches. Further, the length, bulkiness, and complexity of the bracing and restraining structures can interfere with a surgeon's access to procedural equipment. These patient positioners are frequently ill suited for performing patient repositioning operations as well.
Prior art positioners also fail to properly distribute the pressure applied by the patient's weight against the positioner when in the Trendelenburg position. Without proper distribution of these forces, it becomes isolated at small, concentrated locations on the patient's body. This concentrated pressure can lead to ulceration of the skin.
Embodiments of the disclosure overcome these problems by providing one or more patient positioners that allow both for the reliable and secure positioning of a patient and ease of repositioning the patient should the patient need, for example, to be moved from an operating table to a gurney, bed, or stretcher. In one or more embodiments, the patient positioner comprises an inflatable patient support device. When configured as a patient positioner system, a pad can be included to be placed over the device.
In one or more embodiments, a pump or other air output can be used to inflate the patient positioner. The patient positioner can be used for supporting, transferring, positioning, boosting, turning, and/or otherwise moving a patient on a support surface or between support surfaces.
In one or more embodiments, the patient positioner is equipped with selectively engaging surface gripping zones. In one or more embodiments, the selectively engaging surface gripping zones include “gripping” or “grippy” feet that engage a procedure table when the patient positioner is deflated, but that draw into concave contours of the patient positioner when the patient positioner is inflated, thereby allowing the otherwise low-friction bottom surface of the patient positioner slide along the procedure table. In one or more embodiments, these grippy feet are manufactured from silicone, although other materials can be used as will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
Effectively, due to the deflation of the patient positioner, the grippy feet engage the procedure table when the patient positioner is deflated. In one or more embodiments, the grippy feet of each selectively engaging surface gripping zone is centered along a stitched baffle that runs the length of the patient positioner. In one or more embodiments, the stitched baffle has a height that is less than the air chambers positioned between each stitched baffle. Accordingly, when the patient positioner is inflated, concave lacuna between inflated chambers disengage the procedure table. Since the grippy feet are centered along the stitched baffles, inflation of the patient positioner draws the grippy feet into the concave lacuna, thereby causing them to effectively “retract” and disengage the surface of the procedure table. As the material supporting the selectively engaging surface gripping zones is configured to be a very low friction surface, this allows the patient positioner to slide easily along the surface of the procedure table.
In one or more embodiments, a patient positioner comprises an upper patient positioner surface. The patient positioner also comprises a lower patient positioner surface coupled to the upper patient positioner surface. In one or more embodiments, the patient positioner is configured to rest against a procedure table during a procedure.
In one or more embodiments, a plurality of grippy feet is attached to the lower patient positioner surface. In one or more embodiments, the plurality of grippy feet engage the procedure table when the patient positioner is in a deflated state and disengage the procedure table when the patient positioner is in an inflated state. Advantageously, the engagement of the grippy feet against the table prevents the patient positioner from sliding when deflated. However, when inflated the grippy feet disengage from the table by retracting into concave lacuna, thereby allowing the patient positioner to be easily moved when the air exit holes create an air bearing beneath the lower patient positioner surface and between the patient positioner and the procedure table.
In some embodiments, another plurality of grippy feet is situated on the upper patient positioner surface as well. Such positioning of the grippy feet can prevent a patient from sliding along the patient positioner. Moreover, situating grippy feet on the upper patient positioner surface can work to resist slippage when an incontinence pad or under pad is placed on the upper patient positioner surface between the patient and the patient positioner.
Other advantages offered by embodiments of the disclosure will be described below. Still others will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
Turning now to
In one or more embodiments, the patient positioner 100 is configured for use in positioning a patient on a support surface of a support structure, one example of which is a procedure table. Illustrating by example, in one or more embodiments the patient positioner 100 can be used to transfer a patient from a hospital bed to a gurney or stretcher, and then from the gurney or stretcher to a to a procedure table such as an operating table.
Turning briefly to
As will further be described below, inflation of the patient positioner 100 causes grippy feet of selectively engaging surface gripping zones to disengage from a support surface, thereby allowing the patient positioner 100 to easily slide along the support surface. By contrast, deflation of the patient positioner 100 causes the grippy feet of the selectively engaging surface gripping zones to engage the support surface to securely retain a patient in a particular location on the support surface.
Turning now back to
While the upper patient positioner surface 101 and the lower patient positioner surface 201 can be manufactured from the same material in one or more embodiments, in other embodiments the upper patient positioner surface 101 and the lower patient positioner surface 201 will be manufactured from different materials. Illustrating by example, in one or more embodiments the upper patient positioner surface 101 is manufactured from a material defining a high friction surface that can resist slippage when a patient, or alternatively the high-friction pad (501) is positioned along the upper patient positioner surface 101. By contrast, the lower patient positioner surface 201 can be constructed from a low-friction material that allows the patient positioner 100 to slide along a surface.
In one or more embodiments, the lower patient positioner surface 201 defines a plurality of air exit holes 202. In one or more embodiments, inflation of the patient positioner 100 causes air to exit through the air exit holes 202. When this occurs, and when the patient positioner 100 is situated with the lower patient positioner surface 201 on a procedure table, the exiting air creates at least a partial air bearing between the lower patient positioner surface 201 and the procedure table. Moreover, since the patient positioner 100 is wider than a patient, when the patient positioner 100 is inflated the air provides a cushion that distributes the weight of the patient over a larger area of the procedure table than would be the case if the patient were simply lying on the procedure table.
In one or more embodiments, the air bearing created by the air exiting through the air exit holes 202 and the distribution of the weight of a patient over a greater surface area reduces frictional resistance to movement between the patient positioner 100 and the procedure table. In this manner, when air is exiting the air exit holes 202 both the patient positioner 100 and the patient may be easily shifted in different directions along the procedure table. Similarly, the patient positioner 100 can be used to reposition a patient, be it to boost the patient, relocate the patient on a surface, perform lateral transfers of the patient, or perform other repositioning operations. For example, once inflated the patient positioner 100 can be used to transfer a patient from a procedure table to a hospital bed to a surface of a gurney.
In one or more embodiments, the air exit holes 202 are configured as a plurality of sets 203,204,205,206,207. Each set 203,204,205,206,207 is situated between sewn seams 208. As will be described below with reference to
In one or more embodiments, lower patient positioner surface 201 of the patient positioner 100 is equipped with a plurality of selectively engaging surface gripping zones 209,210,211,212,213,214. In one or more embodiments, the selectively engaging surface gripping zones 209,210,211,212,213,214 include “gripping” or “grippy” feet 215. In one or more embodiments, the grippy feet 215 are attached to the exterior surface of the lower patient positioner surface 201. However, in other embodiments the grippy feet 215 protrude outwardly from an interior of the patient positioner 100. Accordingly, in some other embodiments the grippy feet 215 are attached to an interior surface of the lower patient positioner surface 201 and protrude through the lower patient positioner surface 201 distally away from the exterior of the lower patient positioner surface 201.
In one or more embodiments, the grippy feet 215 engage a procedure table when the patient positioner 100 is deflated. However, when the patient positioner 100 is inflated, the grippy feet 215 draw into concave contours of the patient positioner 100. This retraction into the concave contours of the patient positioner 100 thereby allow the otherwise low-friction lower patient positioner surface 201, combined with the air bearing that occurs when air is escaping the air exit holes 202, to easily slide along a procedure table.
While the grippy feet 215 are positioned on the bottom surface of the patient positioner 100 in the illustrative embodiment of
As will be described in more detail below, where a foam pad is used between a patient and the patient positioner 100, the foam pad can be manufactured from various materials. Examples of such materials include a viscoelastic foam that allows a patient to partially sink into the foam, thereby creating a partial body cavity within the foam that further resists mechanical in addition to the higher friction coefficient of the upper surface of the patient positioner 100. Another example of such a material that can be used is a non-viscoelastic foam that is selected with a high friction coefficient. Other examples of such materials will be described below. Still others will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
In one or more embodiments, each grippy foot 215 is defined as a domed or cylindrical surface having end surfaces that have a high coefficient of friction. The grippy feet 215 can be manufactured from a variety of materials, examples of which include silicone. Silicone works well because it is semi-rigid, has a high coefficient of friction, and is compressible. The silicone can be translucent or can be color-coded to identify a function or brand of the patient positioner 100. The silicone can also be colored so as to match the color of the lower patient positioner surface 201 or the upper patient positioner surface 101.
Other thermoplastics can be used in place of silicone in other embodiments. Illustrating by example, in other embodiments the grippy feet 215 can be manufactured from polyurethane. Other materials from which the grippy feet 215 can be manufactured will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. In one or more embodiments, the grippy feet 215 have a higher coefficient of friction than does the lower patient positioner surface 201 of the patient positioner 100. In one or more embodiments, the grippy feet 215 are compressible.
Effectively, when the patient positioner 100 deflates, the grippy feet 215 in the selectively engaging surface gripping zones 209,210,211,212,213,214 engage the procedure table or other surface upon which the patient positioner 100 is placed. As shown in
While the selectively engaging surface gripping zones 209,210,211,212,213,214 are centered along each sewn seam 208 in this illustrative example for maximum disengagement from the procedure table when the patient positioner 100 inflates, embodiments of the disclosure contemplate that they can be positioned in other locations along the lower patient positioner surface 201 as well. Illustrating by example, in another embodiment the selectively engaging surface gripping zones 209,210,211,212,213,214 are situated near the sewn seams 208 without being centered there. In other embodiments, the grippy feet 215 are positioned near the sewn seams 208 but are not arranged in selectively engaging surface gripping zones 209,210,211,212,213,214.
In some embodiments, the grippy feet 215 are situated along the lower patient positioner surface 201 in a region that extends about two thirds of the distance from one sewn seam to a midpoint between that sewn seam and the next adjacent sewn seam. In still other embodiments, the grippy feet 215 are situated along the lower patient positioner surface 201 in a region that extends about seven eighths of the distance from one sewn seam to a midpoint between that sewn seam and the next adjacent sewn seam. In still other embodiments, the grippy feet 215 are situated along the lower patient positioner surface 201 in a region that extends about three quarters of the distance from one sewn seam to a midpoint between that sewn seam and the next adjacent sewn seam. In still other embodiments, the grippy feet 215 are situated along the lower patient positioner surface 201 in a region that extends about half of the distance from one sewn seam to a midpoint between that sewn seam and the next adjacent sewn seam. Embodiments of the disclosure contemplate that the grippy feet 215 can be continuous, but do not extend beyond about two thirds of the distance from one seam to the midpoint between that seam and the next adjacent seam such that when the patient positioner 100 is inflated those grippy feet 215 disengage the procedure table Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited by any specific configuration of grippy feet 215 unless specifically set forth in the claims below. Moreover, other configurations for the grippy feet 215 will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
As will be illustrated below with reference to
In one or more embodiments, the patient positioner includes one or more handles 102,103,104,105. In the illustrative embodiment of
In one or more embodiments, the handles 102,103,104,105 are manufactured from a polyester or nylon webbing, although other materials will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. In this illustrative embodiment, the handles 102,103,104,105 are stitched to the patient positioner 100 using reinforced cross stitching.
Additionally, in this illustrative embodiment the patient positioner 100 comprises one or more bed strap webbings 106,107,108,109. In this illustrative embodiment, the patient positioner 100 comprises four bed strap webbings 106,107,108,109, with two extending from each side of the patient positioner 100, although more or fewer could be included in other embodiments. In one or more embodiments, two bed strap webbings 106,107 extend from one side of the patient positioner 100, while two other bed strap webbings 108,109 extend from the other side of the patient positioner 100. While the number of bed strap webbings 106,107,108,109 disposed on each side of the patient positioner 100 is the same in the explanatory embodiment of
In one or more embodiments, the ends of each bed strap webbing 106,107,108.109 has attached thereto optional sections of hook fastener material 120,121,122,123, while optional sections of loop fastener material 110,111,112,113 also are attached atop the bed strap webbings 106,107,108,109. Accordingly, where this fastening material is included, and when the ends of the bed strap webbings 106,107,108,109 are folded back atop the sections of loop fastener material 110,111,112,113, the bed strap webbings 106,107,108,109 can be used to fasten the patient positioner 100 to a procedure table. In other embodiments, the sections of loop fastener material 110,111,112,113 can be replaced with a short strap to allow a double-strap configuration with straps of different lengths to extend from the sides of the patient positioner 100 in this illustrative embodiment. Note that the inclusion of hook fastener material 120,121,122,123 and loop fastener material 110,111,112,113 is optional, as in other embodiments the bed strap webbing 106,107,108,109 will not include such material.
Said differently, in one or more embodiments each bed strap webbing 106,107,108,109 has attached thereto a fastener. For example, as shown in
It should be additionally noted that where fasteners are included, the hook fasteners 120,121,122,123 and loop fasteners 110,111,112,113 of the bed strap webbings 106,107,108,109 are but one example of a fastener suitable for attaching the patient positioner 100 to a procedure table, others will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Illustrating by example, rather than using hook fasteners 120,121,122,123 and loop fasteners 110,111,112,113, each bed strap webbing 106,107,108,109 can comprise a buckle instead. An end of such a securement strap can pass back through the buckle to secure the patient positioner 100 to the procedure table. Other securement mechanisms suitable for use with the patient positioner will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
On the bottom side of the patient positioner 100, one or more side rail loops 216,217,218, 219,220,221,222,223,224,225 (shown hanging down in three dimensions in
As noted above, in one or more embodiments a high-friction pad (501) can be included with the patient positioner 100 to form a patient positioner system (500). The patient positioner 100 of
As best seen in
As will be shown in more detail with reference to
Thus, in one or more embodiments a patient positioner comprises a plurality of slots 114,115,116,117 through which straps extending from a high-friction pad can pass. When those straps of the high-friction pad include fasteners, one example of which are hook fasteners, the bottom surface of the patient positioner can include one or more loop fasteners 226,227,228,229 that are configured to attach to the hook fasteners coupled to the straps extending from the high-friction pad (501). Again, this allows secure attachment of the high-friction pad to the patient positioner regardless of whether the patient positioner is inflatable, as is the patient positioner 100 of
In one or more embodiments, the patient positioner 100 measures about fifty inches in length and about thirty-eight inches in width. In one or more embodiments, the sewn seams 208 are about four inches apart, with the left most sewn seam 208 being about nine inches from the left side of the patient positioner 100. Similarly, the right most sewn seam 208 is also about nine inches away from the right side of the patient positioner 100. These dimensions are illustrative only, as others will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
In one or more embodiments, the upper end of the patient positioner 100 includes two forty-five degree inwardly sloping edges 118,119. These inwardly sloping edges 118,119 are sometimes referred to as “chamfered” edges. This causes the upper portion of the patient positioner 100 situated between the uppermost, reinforced cross stitching at the top edge to define a frustoconical shape. The remainder of the patient positioner 100 extending downward (as viewed in
The shape of the patient positioner 100 may be different in other embodiments, including taking different shapes with varying degrees of symmetry. Illustrating by example, in other embodiments the patient positioner 100 can be rectangular with no inwardly sloping edges 118,119. However, when the inwardly sloping edges 118,119 are included, they can provide additional benefits.
During inflation, for instance, when the air enters between the upper patient positioner surface 101 and the lower patient positioner surface 201, in one or more embodiments inflates the periphery of the patient positioner 100 surrounding the patient first. Thereafter, the air gently raises the patient above the procedure table. The inclusion of the inwardly sloping edges 118,119 can function to allow the inflation profile to conform more closely to the patient's anatomical contours. During deflation of the patient positioner 100, the inclusion of the inwardly sloping edges 118,119 can allow for more complete deflation as well. (If configured as a rectangle, air may remain near the head.) Inclusion of the inwardly sloping edges 118,119 allows the weight of the shoulders and head of the patient to fully deflate the cavity of air. As noted above, in other embodiments the patient positioner 100 may have a different shape.
As will be described below with reference to
In one or more embodiments, the patient positioner 100 is flexible and foldable when in the non-inflated state. The patient positioner 100 is configured to be positioned on a procedure table so that the lower patient positioner surface 201 faces, abuts, or confronts the procedure table. Illustrating by example, the lower patient positioner surface 201, as shown in
Turning now to
As shown, the sewn seams 208 define five centrally situated air chambers, with the sets 203,204,205,206,207 of air exit holes 202 centrally situated along those air chambers. In this illustrative embodiment, the outer sets 203,207 comprise two columns of air exit holes 202, while the three central sets 204,205,206 each comprise three columns of air exit holes 202. Other configurations for the air exit holes 202 will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
Turning to
Turning now to
As also shown in
In this illustrative embodiment, the selectively engaging surface gripping zones 209,210, 211,212,213,214 are attached to the lower patient positioner surface 201. As shown in
Thus, in one or more embodiments the selectively engaging surface gripping zones 209,210,211,212,213,214 run the length of the patient positioner 100 as shown in
Once again, the sewn seams 208 define five centrally situated air chambers. However, rather than being positioned centrally on these air chambers, the selectively engaging surface gripping zones 209,210,211, 212,213,214 of grippy feet 215 are centrally situated on the sewn seams 208. This places them only on the outer edges of each air chamber. Other configurations for the selectively engaging surface gripping zones 209,210,211,212,213,214 will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
Turning to
In this illustrative embodiment, each grippy feet 215 has a diameter 406 of about 0.08 inches. The grippy feet 215 of the selectively engaging surface gripping zones (209),(210),(211),(212),(213),214 are arranged as alternating offset rows of three grippy feet 215 in this illustrative embodiment, with the vertical spacing 404 between rows being about 0.39 inches. The rows are offset 405 by about a quarter of an inch in this illustrative embodiment.
In one or more embodiments, the grippy feet 215 of each row are separated by a distance 402 of about half an inch, while the vertical separation 403 between any two vertically aligned grippy feet 215 is about 0.79 inches. As with the dimensions of
To this point, the patient positioner 100 has been described as including one or more bed strap webbings 106,107,108,109 extending distally from the sides of the patient positioner 100. However, since the selectively engaging surface gripping zones (209),(210),(211),(212),(213),214 engage the procedure table, in other embodiments the one or more bed strap webbings 106,107,108,109 are unnecessary.
Turning now to
In one or more embodiments, the patient positioner 1900 is configured for use in positioning a patient on a support surface of a support structure, one example of which is a procedure table. Illustrating by example, in one or more embodiments the patient positioner 1900 can be used to transfer a patient from a hospital bed to a gurney or stretcher, and then from the gurney or stretcher to a to a procedure table such as an operating table.
As before, a high-friction pad (501) can be included with the patient positioner 100 to form a patient positioner system (500). Additionally, an inflation device (700) can be used to selectively inflate, or deflate, the patient positioner 1900.
As before, inflation of the patient positioner 1900 causes grippy feet of selectively engaging surface gripping zones to disengage from a support surface, thereby allowing the patient positioner 1900 to easily slide along the support surface. By contrast, deflation of the patient positioner 1900 causes the grippy feet of the selectively engaging surface gripping zones to engage the support surface to securely retain a patient in a particular location on the support surface.
In one or more embodiments the patient positioner 1900 includes an upper patient positioner surface 1901 and a lower patient positioner surface 1902. In one or more embodiments, the upper patient positioner surface 1901 and the lower patient positioner surface 1902 define an inflatable body.
While the upper patient positioner surface 1901 and the lower patient positioner surface 1902 can be manufactured from the same material in one or more embodiments, in other embodiments the upper patient positioner surface 1901 and the lower patient positioner surface 1902 will be manufactured from different materials. Illustrating by example, in one or more embodiments the upper patient positioner surface 1901 is manufactured from a material defining a high friction surface that can resist slippage when a patient, or alternatively the high-friction pad (501) is positioned along the upper patient positioner surface 1901. By contrast, the lower patient positioner surface 1902 can be constructed from a low-friction material that allows the patient positioner 1900 to slide along a surface.
In one or more embodiments, the lower patient positioner surface 1902 defines a plurality of air exit holes 202. In one or more embodiments, inflation of the patient positioner 1900 causes air to exit through the air exit holes 202. When this occurs, and when the patient positioner 1900 is situated with the lower patient positioner surface 1902 on a procedure table, the exiting air creates at least a partial air bearing between the lower patient positioner surface 1902 and the procedure table. Moreover, since the patient positioner 1900 is wider than a patient, when the patient positioner 1900 is inflated the air provides a cushion that distributes the weight of the patient over a larger area of the procedure table than would be the case if the patient were simply lying on the procedure table.
In one or more embodiments, the air bearing created by the air exiting through the air exit holes 202 and the distribution of the weight of a patient over a greater surface area reduces frictional resistance to movement between the patient positioner 1900 and the procedure table. In this manner, when air is exiting the air exit holes 202 both the patient positioner 1900 and the patient may be easily shifted in different directions along the procedure table. Similarly, the patient positioner 1900 can be used to reposition a patient, be it to boost the patient, relocate the patient on a surface, perform lateral transfers of the patient, or perform other repositioning operations. For example, once inflated the patient positioner 1900 can be used to transfer a patient from a procedure table to a hospital bed to a surface of a gurney.
In one or more embodiments, the air exit holes 202 are configured as a plurality of sets 203,204,205,206,207. Each set 203,204,205,206,207 is situated between sewn seams 208. In one or more embodiments the sewn seams 208 couple stitched baffles coupling the upper patient positioner surface 1901 and the lower patient positioner surface 1902 to define a plurality of inner channels that can inflate with air. As shown in
In one or more embodiments, lower patient positioner surface 1902 of the patient positioner 1900 is equipped with a plurality of selectively engaging surface gripping zones 209,210,211,212,213,214. In one or more embodiments, the selectively engaging surface gripping zones 209,210,211,212,213,214 include “gripping” or “grippy” feet 215. In one or more embodiments, the grippy feet 215 engage a procedure table when the patient positioner 1900 is deflated. However, when the patient positioner 1900 is inflated, the grippy feet 215 draw into concave contours of the patient positioner 1900. This retraction into the concave contours of the patient positioner 1900 thereby allow the otherwise low-friction lower patient positioner surface 201, combined with the air bearing that occurs when air is escaping the air exit holes 202, to easily slide along a procedure table.
While the grippy feet 215 are positioned on the bottom surface of the patient positioner 1900 in the illustrative embodiment of
In one or more embodiments, each grippy foot 215 is defined as a domed or cylindrical surface having end surfaces that have a high coefficient of friction. The grippy feet 215 can be manufactured from a variety of materials, examples of which include silicone. Silicone works well because it is semi-rigid, has a high coefficient of friction, and is compressible. The silicone can be translucent or can be color-coded to identify a function or brand of the patient positioner 1900. The silicone can also be colored so as to match the color of the lower patient positioner surface 1902 or the upper patient positioner surface 1901.
Other thermoplastics can be used in place of silicone in other embodiments. Illustrating by example, in other embodiments the grippy feet 215 can be manufactured from polyurethane. Other materials from which the grippy feet 215 can be manufactured will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. In one or more embodiments, the grippy feet 215 have a higher coefficient of friction than does the lower patient positioner surface 201 of the patient positioner 1900. In one or more embodiments, the grippy feet 215 are compressible.
Effectively, when the patient positioner 1900 deflates, the grippy feet 215 in the selectively engaging surface gripping zones 209,210,211,212,213,214 engage the procedure table or other surface upon which the patient positioner 100 is placed. As shown in
Meanwhile, the grippy feet 215 of the selectively engaging surface gripping zones 209,210,211,212,213,214 situate in concave lacuna centered at the sewn seams 208. Effectively, as the air channels transition from flat (in the deflated state) to round (in the inflated state), the air exit holes 202 protrude out along the exterior of the air channels while the grippy feet 215 are pulled inward by the sewn seams 208 to draw away from any support surface upon which the patient positioner 1900 is positioned. This allows the patient positioner 1900 to easily slide along the support surface buoyed by the air bearing like a hockey puck on an air hockey table. When the patient positioner 1900 is deflated, the grippy feet 215 again engage the support surface to prevent the patient positioner 1900 from sliding.
In one or more embodiments, the patient positioner includes one or more handles 102,103,104,105. In the illustrative embodiment of
In one or more embodiments, the handles 102,103,104,105 are manufactured from a polyester or nylon webbing, although other materials will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. In this illustrative embodiment, the handles 102,103,104,105 are stitched to the patient positioner 1900 using reinforced cross stitching.
On the bottom side of the patient positioner 1900, one or more side rail loops 216,217,218,219,220,221,222,223,224,225 that are sewn to the lower patient positioner surface 1902 with reinforced cross stitching. Like the handles 102,103,104,105, the one or more side rail loops 216, 217,218,219,220,221,222,223,224,225 can be manufactured from a polyester or nylon webbing. Other materials suitable for manufacturing these webbings will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
As noted above, in one or more embodiments a high-friction pad (501) can be included with the patient positioner 1900 to form a patient positioner system (500). The patient positioner 1900 of
As best seen in
In one or more embodiments the high-friction pad (501) used in conjunction with the patient positioner 1900 includes straps that extend distally from its sides. In one or more embodiments, these straps can include hook fasteners. Accordingly, as shown in
In one or more embodiments, the patient positioner 1900 measures about fifty inches in length and about thirty-eight inches in width. In one or more embodiments, the sewn seams 208 are about four inches apart, with the left most sewn seam 208 being about nine inches from the left side of the patient positioner 1900. Similarly, the right most sewn seam 208 is also about nine inches away from the right side of the patient positioner 1900. These dimensions are illustrative only, as others will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
In one or more embodiments, the upper end of the patient positioner 1900 includes two forty-five degree inwardly sloping edges 118,119. These inwardly sloping edges 118,119 are sometimes referred to as “chamfered” edges. This causes the upper portion of the patient positioner 1900 situated between the uppermost, reinforced cross stitching at the top edge to define a frustoconical shape. The remainder of the patient positioner 1900 extending downward (as viewed in
The shape of the patient positioner 1900 may be different in other embodiments, including taking different shapes with varying degrees of symmetry. Illustrating by example, in other embodiments the patient positioner 1900 can be rectangular with no inwardly sloping edges 118,119. However, when the inwardly sloping edges 118,119 are included, they can provide additional benefits.
During inflation, for instance, when the air enters between the upper patient positioner surface 1901 and the lower patient positioner surface 19021, in one or more embodiments inflates the periphery of the patient positioner 1900 surrounding the patient first. Thereafter, the air gently raises the patient above the procedure table. The inclusion of the inwardly sloping edges 118,119 can function to allow the inflation profile to conform more closely to the patient's anatomical contours. During deflation of the patient positioner 1900, the inclusion of the inwardly sloping edges 118,119 can allow for more complete deflation as well. (If configured as a rectangle, air may remain near the head.) Inclusion of the inwardly sloping edges 118,119 allows the weight of the shoulders and head of the patient to fully deflate the cavity of air. As noted above, in other embodiments the patient positioner 1900 may have a different shape.
An inflation device (700) can be used to selectively inflate, or deflate, the patient positioner 1900. In one or more embodiments, inflation of the patient positioner 1900 causes the grippy feet 215 of selectively engaging surface gripping zones 209,210,211,212,213,214 to disengage from a support surface, thereby allowing the patient positioner 1900 to easily slide along the support surface. By contrast, deflation of the patient positioner 1900 causes the grippy feet 215 of the selectively engaging surface gripping zones 209,210,211,212,213,214 to engage the support surface to securely retain a patient in a particular location on the support surface. Advantageously, this allows ease of patient positioning and repositioning, such as when a patient is transferred to or from a procedure table. It should be noted that the patient positioner 1900 of
In one or more embodiments, the patient positioner 1900 is flexible and foldable when in the non-inflated state. The patient positioner 1900 is configured to be positioned on a procedure table so that the lower patient positioner surface 1902 faces, abuts, or confronts the procedure table. Illustrating by example, the lower patient positioner surface 19021, as shown in
Just as the number and/or presence of bed strap webbings (106,107,108,109) can vary, so too can the configuration of the grippy feet 215. Turning briefly to
Beginning with
As also shown in
In this illustrative embodiment, the selectively engaging surface gripping zones 3301 are attached to the lower patient positioner surface. As shown in
Turning now to
Turning now to
In this example, six columns of selectively engaging surface gripping zones 3501 span the height of the patient positioner 3500. Other numbers of columns of selectively engaging surface gripping zones 3501 will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Details of the selectively engaging surface gripping zones 3501, including the logoed grippy feet shape, are shown in
Turning now to
In one or more embodiments, a high-friction pad 501 can be included with the patient positioner 100 to form a patient positioner system 500. The high-friction pad 501 can be manufactured from a variety of materials.
Illustrating by example, in one or more embodiments the high-friction pad 501 is manufactured from an elastic foam that has no memory. In other embodiments, the high-friction pad 501 is manufactured from a viscoelastic foam, which is sometimes referred to as a “memory foam.”
In still other embodiments, the high-friction pad 501 is manufactured from a viscoelastic foam pad that assists in holding the patient in a desired position atop the patient positioner 100 on a procedure table. The high-friction pad 501 can therefore help support a patient on the patient positioner 100 when situated in the Trendelenburg position, reverse Trendelenburg position, or other position where a procedure table is tilted from horizontal. Where included, the high-friction pad 501 helps to assist in minimizing sliding, shifting, or similar undesirable movements of the patient on the procedure table.
When manufactured from a viscoelastic foam, the viscoelastic foam also cushions and supports the patient while promoting a distribution of pressure forces across the patient's body to reduce and/or minimize damage to nerves and/or tissue from concentrated pressure forces. For example, the viscoelastic foam will minimize or can eliminate brachial plexopathy, including pain, decreased movement, or decreased sensation in the arm and shoulder by minimizing pressure to a patient's neck, arms, and/or shoulders, and thereby minimizing or reducing a nerve event.
Turning briefly to
As shown in the table 2700, in one or more embodiments the high-friction pad 501 is manufactured from a material where the rate of recovery, i.e., the time required for a viscoelastic foam to return to its starting shape, is in the range of approximately two to ten seconds for approximately fifty percent to eighty percent recovery after deformation caused by placing an adult torso on an approximately one-inch-thick layer of viscoelastic foam. The rate of recovery is in the range of approximately six to fifteen seconds for approximately eighty percent to ninety percent recovery after deformation caused by placing an adult torso on an approximately one-inch-thick layer of viscoelastic foam.
In one or more embodiments, the rate of recovery is in the range of approximately ten to thirty-five seconds for one hundred percent recovery after deformation caused by placing an adult torso on an approximately one-inch-thick layer of viscoelastic foam. The ball rebound of the viscoelastic foam used for the high-friction pad 501 is in the range of less than or substantially less than approximately one percent to approximately one percent or several percent or is in the range of or approximately in the range of 0.1 percent to 1.9 percent, or up to three percent or five percent, and as much as several percent.
In one or more embodiments, the compression set (the residual compression of the foam after twenty-two hours at seventy degrees Celsius) of the viscoelastic foam used for the high-friction pad 501, for a twenty-five percent compression of the foam, is in the range of less than one percent or tenths of a percent, e.g., for example, less than 0.4 percent or 0.3 percent, to several percent. In one or more embodiments, the compression set of the viscoelastic foam used for the high-friction pad 501, for a fifty percent compression of the foam, is in the range of less than one percent or tenths of a percent, such as, for example, less than 0.5 percent, to several percent. In one or more embodiments, the indentation force deflection of the viscoelastic foam used for the high-friction pad 501, at a twenty-five percent deflection, is in the range of several pounds of force to tens of pounds of force, such as in the range of approximately ten to approximately fifteen pounds, or in the range of approximately seven to approximately eighteen pounds, or is in the range of approximately twelve pounds, such as, for example, 11.7, 11.8, 11.9, 12.0, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, and 12.4 pounds.
In one or more embodiments, the coefficient of static friction between the viscoelastic foam used for the high-friction pad 501 and the surface of a procedure table is greater than 0.2 or is in the range of approximately 0.2 or 0.5 to approximately 0.7 or 1.0. In one or more embodiments, the viscoelastic foam used for the high-friction pad 501 is designed such that the patient may shift on the viscoelastic foam less than one inch, or up to approximately an inch, or in the range of approximately one inch to approximately three inches. The airflow in or through the viscoelastic foam used for the high-friction pad 501 is in the range of tenths of a cubic foot per minute to several cubic feet per minute in one or more embodiments, such as, for example, approximately 0.1 or 0.3 cubic foot per minute to approximately 1.0 or 3.0 cubic feet per minute or is in the range of approximately 0.53 cubic feet per minute, plus or minus 0.3 cubic feet per minute.
In one or more embodiments, the thickness of the viscoelastic foam used for the high-friction pad 501 is in the range of from three-fourths of an inch to one inch, or to approximately one inch, or to one and a half inches, or to three inches or greater, which thickness is selected to minimize and/or prevent bottoming out on the operating table of one or more of the portions of the body of a patient lying on the viscoelastic foam pad, depending on the weight and/or size of the patient. In one or more embodiments, the tensile strength (at twenty-five percent deflection) of the viscoelastic foam used for the high-friction pad 501 is in the range of at least approximately five pounds per square inch (PSI) or approximately eight PSI to approximately twelve PSI or approximately fifteen PSI or is in the range of approximately ten PSI.
In one or more embodiments, the tear strength (in a twenty inches per minute test) of the viscoelastic foam used for the high-friction pad 501 is in the range of approximately one to approximately two or three pounds of force per inch, or in the range of approximately 1.5 pounds of force per inch. In one or more embodiments, the elongation (in a twenty inches per minute test) of the viscoelastic foam used for the high-friction pad 501 is in the range of between one hundred and twenty-five and two-hundred and fifty percent, or is in the range of approximately 172 percent, plus or minus 25 percent.
In one or more embodiments, the nominal density of the viscoelastic foam used for the high-friction pad 501 is in a range of approximately one hundred kilograms per cubic meter or is in the range of approximately seventy-five or eighty-three kilograms per cubic meter to approximately 103 or 110 kilograms per cubic meter, such as, for example, 93.1 kilograms per cubic meter. In one or more embodiments, the flammability of the viscoelastic foam used for the high-friction pad 501 should pass various tests by CAL, FMVSS and FAR, and the viscoelastic foam should pass the European Union's Restriction of Hazardous Substances (EU RoHS) standards.
Examples of viscoelastic foams meeting these requirements are described in the following US Patents, each of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes:
Turning now back to
In this illustrative embodiment, the upper patient positioner surface 101 and the lower patient positioner surface (201) are two separate pieces of sheet material that are connected together around their peripheries, such as by stitching and/or adhesives, or one or more other connection techniques described herein. In some embodiments, the upper patient positioner surface 101 and the lower patient positioner surface (201) may be connected to one another by a sidewall, or a plurality of side walls made from a flexible material that is attached at their peripheries.
In other embodiments, the upper patient positioner surface 101 and lower patient positioner surface (201) can be made from a single piece of material that is folded over and connected by stitching along the free ends or that is formed in a loop. Alternatively, the upper patient positioner surface 101 and lower patient positioner surface (201) may be formed of multiple pieces. Both the upper patient positioner surface 101 and lower patient positioner surface (201) can be manufactured from the same material in one embodiment. In other embodiments, the upper patient positioner surface 101 and lower patient positioner surface (201) can be manufactured from different materials.
In one or more embodiments, each of the upper patient positioner surface 101 and the lower patient positioner surface (201) comprise a single layer of material. In other embodiments, each of the upper patient positioner surface 101 and the lower patient positioner surface (201) comprise multiple layers that may be formed of the same or different materials.
Additionally, the sheet material(s) of the upper patient positioner surface 101 and lower patient positioner surface (201) can be selected to exhibit different properties, examples of which include favorable breathability, durability, imagining compatibility, flammability, biocompatibility, pressure distribution profile, heat transmission, electrical conductivity, and cleaning properties. Illustrating by example, if the patient positioner 100 is intended to remain under a patient for an extended period of time, materials for the upper patient positioner surface 101 and the lower patient positioner surface (201) may be selected so that they are breathable fabrics or other materials that have sufficient breathability to allow passage of heat and moisture vapor away from the patient, while also having sufficient resistance to air passage to retain inflation.
In other embodiments, such as when the patient positioner 100 is used solely as a patient transfer device that is not left beneath a patient for an extended period of time, breathability may not be a primary concern when selecting a material for the upper patient positioner surface 101 and the lower patient positioner surface (201). In such an embodiment, factors such as durability, ease of cleaning, liquid repellence, and cost may be properties of primary concern. Some examples of materials suitable for use in constructing the upper patient positioner surface 101 and the lower patient positioner surface (201) that meet these criteria but do not provide a high degree of breathability include woven polyester and non-woven polypropylene.
In some embodiments, selection of materials for the upper patient positioner surface 101 and the lower patient positioner surface (201) may be a function of a desired amount of friction, water permeability or impermeability, air permeability or impermeability, and so forth. Some suitable materials for the upper patient positioner surface 101 and the lower patient positioner surface (201) include polyester and/or nylon (polyamide).
The upper patient positioner surface 101 and the lower patient positioner surface (201) may have coatings disposed therein, with those coatings exhibiting elevated coefficients of friction. Additives to the upper patient positioner surface 101 and the lower patient positioner surface (201) can decrease static potential, increase the coefficient of friction of the upper patient positioner surface 101, decrease the coefficient of friction of the lower patient positioner surface (201), or perform other functions.
As described above with reference to
In one or more embodiments, the high-friction pad 501 is manufactured from a high friction material. Coupling the high-friction pad 501 to the patient positioner 100 assists in maintaining the position of a patient on the patient positioner 100.
In one or more embodiments, the high-friction pad 501 is placed against the upper patient positioner surface 101. Thereafter, straps 502,503,504,505 extending from the sides of the high-friction pad 501 can be passed through the slots 114,115,116,(117) of the patient positioner 100, with hook fasteners 506,507,508,509 attached to the straps 502,503,504,505 attaching to the loop fasteners (226),(227),(228),(229) attached to the lower patient positioner surface (201) shown in
As also noted above, in one or more embodiments the inclusion of the hook fasteners 506,507,508,509 and the corresponding loop fasteners is optional. Thus, in other embodiments the straps 502,503,504,505 simply tunnel through the slots 114,115,116,(117) of the patient positioner 100 and attach directly to the procedure table. Illustrating by example, a patient positioner 3200 having no fasteners attached to its lower patient positioner surface is shown in
Once assembled, the straps 105,106,107,(108) of the patient positioner 100, as well as the straps 502,503,504,505 of the high-friction pad 501, can be wrapped around the rail of a procedure table. Optional buckles (not shown) can be used for such attachment in in one or more embodiments, while hook and loop fasteners, snaps, ties, and other attachment techniques can be used in other embodiments.
Turning briefly to
In the illustrative embodiment of
Turning now to
Turning now back to
When positioning a patient in the Trendelenburg position, reverse Trendelenburg position, or other position where a procedure table is tilted from horizontal, the high-friction pad 501 serves to increase the coefficient of friction between the patient and the patient positioner 100. The high-friction pad 501 may include a top surface that is coated with a high friction material to further increase the coefficient of friction. This increased coefficient of friction serves to maintain the patient positioning when the patient is tilted to a severe incline.
Turning now to
In one or more embodiments, a high-friction pad 501 can be included with the patient positioner 1900 to form a patient positioner system 2800. The high-friction pad 501 can be manufactured from a variety of materials, as previously described.
As previously described the patient positioner 1900 defines an inflatable body with the upper patient positioner surface 1901 and lower patient positioner surface (1902) separating when the patient positioner 1900 is filled with air to define an internal cavity that can be inflated with air or another gaseous substance in one or more embodiments.
In this illustrative embodiment, the upper patient positioner surface 1901 and the lower patient positioner surface (1902) are two separate pieces of sheet material that are connected together around their peripheries, such as by stitching and/or adhesives, or one or more other connection techniques described herein. In some embodiments, the upper patient positioner surface 1901 and the lower patient positioner surface (1902) may be connected to one another by a sidewall, or a plurality of side walls made from a flexible material that is attached at their peripheries.
Both the upper patient positioner surface 1901 and lower patient positioner surface (1902) can be manufactured from the same material in one embodiment. In other embodiments, the upper patient positioner surface 1901 and lower patient positioner surface (1902) can be manufactured from different materials. In one or more embodiments, each of the upper patient positioner surface 1901 and the lower patient positioner surface (1902) comprise a single layer of material. In other embodiments, each of the upper patient positioner surface 1901 and the lower patient positioner surface (1902) comprise multiple layers that may be formed of the same or different materials.
In one or more embodiments, the inclusion of handles 102,103,104,105 facilitates pulling and other movement of the patient positioner 1900. These handles 102,103,104,105 can be configured for multiple different types of movement, including boosting a patient onto a procedure table.
In one or more embodiments, the high-friction pad 501 is manufactured from a high friction material. Coupling the high-friction pad 501 to the patient positioner 1900 assists in maintaining the position of a patient on the patient positioner 1900.
In this illustrative embodiment, in addition to having straps 502,503,504,505 extending from the sides of the high-friction pad 501, there are also loop clips 2801,2802,2803 that correspond to the straps 502,503,504,505 on a one-to-one basis (a fourth loop clip is hidden by the high-friction pad 501 in
In one or more embodiments, each loop clip 2801,2802,2803 effectively functions as a strap buckle. In one or more embodiments, the loop clips 2801,2802,2803 do not clip onto anything. Instead, the straps 502,503,504,505 pass through the loop clips 2801,2802,2803 and then double back on themselves. Where hook and loop fasteners are included, these portions of the straps 502,503,504,505 can attach to each other with the corresponding loop clip 2801,2802,2803 positioned therebetween. While the loop clips 2801,2802,2803 are optional, their inclusion makes it easier to get tight securement between patient positioner 1900 and high-friction pad 501 compared to trying to pull two individual straps tight and then fasten them together. The assembled patient positioner 2800 with this engagement is shown in
Once assembled, the straps 502,503,504,505 of the high-friction pad 501 can be wrapped around the rail of a procedure table as shown in
Turning now to
As shown in
The patient positioner 100 may comprise one layer of air chambers 701,702,703,704,705,706,707, as shown in
In one or more embodiments, an air delivery sock 714 can be inserted into a port defined by one or more of the upper patient positioner surfaces 101 and/or the lower patient positioner surface 201. When an air hose 715 is coupled between the air delivery sock 714 and an inflation device 700, air can flow into the air chambers 701,702,703,704,705,706,707 to inflate the patient positioner 100 as shown in
In one or more embodiments, the patient positioner 100 can include a closure to seal around the air hose 715 and/or the air delivery sock 714. In one or more embodiments, the closure can be manually adjusted constrict the corresponding port around the air hose 715. The closure can also be manipulated to secure the port(s) around the air hose 715.
In one or more embodiments, the inflation device 700 is capable of providing air at a pressure in the range of approximately five to approximately twenty pounds per square inch to inflate the patient positioner 100. The air from the inflation device 700 inflates the patient positioner 100 and lifts the patient upward.
As can be seen in
Accordingly, in one or more embodiments the grippy feet 215 of each selectively engaging surface gripping zone 209,210,211,212,213,214 is centered along a stitched baffle 708, 709,710,711,712,713 that runs the length of the patient positioner 100. In one or more embodiments, the stitched baffle 709,710,711,712,713 has a height that is less than the air chambers 701,702,703,704,705,706,707 positioned between each stitched baffle 708,709,710, 711,712,713. When the patient positioner 100 is inflated, concave lacuna 801,802,803,804, 805,806 defined between the air chambers 701,702,703,704,705,706,707. Since the grippy feet 215 are centered along the stitched baffles 709,710,711,712,713, inflation of the patient positioner 100 draws the grippy feet 215 into the concave lacuna 801,802,803,804,805,806, thereby causing them to effectively “retract” and disengage the surface of the procedure table upon which the patient positioner 100 is placed. As the material supporting the selectively engaging surface gripping zones 209,210,211,212,213,214 is configured to be a very low friction surface, this fact, combined with the air bearing created by air escaping from the air exit holes 202, allows the patient positioner 100 to slide easily along the surface of the procedure table.
While the air hose 715 and/or the air delivery sock 714 is one explanatory way of inflating the patient positioner 100, embodiments of the disclosure are not so limited. Turning briefly to
Turning now to
In one or more embodiments, the upper patient positioner surface 101 also includes a substrate layer 903. In one or more embodiments, the substrate layer 903 is manufactured from plastic or nylon. Other materials suitable for use in the upper patient positioner surface 101 will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
Similarly, the lower patient positioner surface 201 can comprise, for example, plastic or nylon. In one or more embodiments, the lower patient positioner surface 201 comprises a lower friction material than does the upper patient positioner surface. Illustrating by example, in one or more embodiments the lower patient positioner surface 201 is configured to have a kinetic friction force ranging from about 10-70 pound-feet when passed over a cotton hospital bedsheet. This range works well in practice as it corresponds to the force required to continue moving a two-hundred-pound object positioned on the patient positioner 100 across the bedsheet at a constant rate after initiating motion of the object. In one or more embodiments, the upper surface of the high friction layer 902 may create a higher frictional force with the patient than the lower surface of the lower patient positioner surface 201 creates with a procedure table 900.
As shown in
As shown in
By contrast, turning now to
In this illustrative embodiment, as shown in the magnified view 1000, half of the grippy feet 215 of each selectively engaging surface gripping zone of the one or more selectively engaging surface gripping zones situate on a first side of the concave lacuna 801 when the plurality of air chambers is in the inflated state. Another half of the grippy feet 215 of the each selectively engaging surface gripping zone of the one or more selectively engaging surface gripping zones situate on a second side of the concave lacuna when the plurality of air chambers is in the inflated state.
This causes the grippy feet 215 to disengage the procedure table 900. Meanwhile, the air exit holes (202), which are situated centrally on the apices of the plurality of air chambers, create an air bearing between the patient positioner 100 and the procedure table 900. This disengagement of the grippy feet 215, since they are beneath the apices of the air chambers, combined with the air bearing created by air escaping from the air exit holes (202), allows the patient positioner 100 to slide easily along the surface of the procedure table 900.
In
To correct this problem, turning now to
In one or more embodiments, the low-tack pressure sensitive adhesive 1104 is configured as a strip of double-sided tape or another removable adhesive. In other embodiments, the low-tack pressure sensitive adhesive 1104 is configured as a polyurethane-based gel having adhesive qualities, and as such, acting as an adhesive, having a shear strength sufficient to prevent sliding or slippage of the upper patient positioner surface 1101 relative to the lower patient positioner surface 1102 when the patient positioner 1100 is in the deflated condition. Thus, if a patient 901 is placed atop the patient positioner 1100, the low-tack pressure sensitive adhesive 1104 will keep the upper patient positioner surface 1101 from translating relative to the lower patient positioner surface 1102.
While the low-tack pressure sensitive adhesive 1104 is shown being positioned on the interior of the patient positioner 1100 in this illustrative embodiment, in other embodiments the low-tack pressure sensitive adhesive 1104 is placed on the exterior of the patient positioner 1100 as well. Of course, a combination of interior low-tack pressure sensitive adhesive 1104 and exterior low-tack pressure sensitive adhesive could be used as well.
In particular, the adhesive qualities of the low-tack pressure sensitive adhesive 1104 prevent slippage but have a low enough level of tack that they still allow a person to manually adjust the upper patient positioner surface 1101 relative to the lower patient positioner surface 1102 when desired. Illustrating by example, in one or more embodiments the upper patient positioner surface 1101 can be lifted away from the lower patient positioner surface 1102, thereby separating the layers of low-tack pressure sensitive adhesive 1104. The upper patient positioner surface 1101 and lower patient positioner surface 1102 can then be repositioned. When they connect again, the low-tack pressure sensitive adhesive 1104 will keep them from shearing relative to each other.
When the patient positioner 1100 is in the deflated condition, the grippy feet 215 engage the procedure table 900 to prevent the patient positioner 1100 from sliding along the procedure table 900. However, as shown in
Another situation that can be mildly irritating and that is contemplated by embodiments of the disclosure is shown in
Here, the procedure table 1300 is narrower than the patient positioner 100. Accordingly, when the patient positioner 100 is deflated, a portion 1301 of the patient positioner 100 hangs over the side of the procedure table 1300.
To remedy this problem, turning now to
Turning now to
In this illustrative embodiment, the table covering portion 1501 has disposed thereon another area of grippy feet 1502 that selectively engage a patient when positioned upon the patient positioner 1500. In one or more embodiments, the one or more bed strap webbings 106,107,108,109 each comprise hook and loop fasteners 1503,1504,1505,1506. Accordingly, the one or more bed strap webbings 106,107,108,109 can be folded 1507 back upon themselves to attach the patient positioner 1500 to a procedure table 1601, as shown in
As shown in
Turning now to
In one or more embodiments, this step 2501 comprises coupling an upper patient positioner surface to a lower patient positioner surface, defining one or more inflation ports in one or both of the upper patient positioner surface and/or lower patient positioner surface, defining air exit holes in the lower patient positioner surface, and creating stitched baffle (or baffles connected another way) between the lower patient positioner surface and the upper patient positioner surface.
In one or more embodiments, the air exit holes are configured as columns situated centrally between the stitched baffles, as previously described. This positions the air exit holes at apices of the air chambers defined between the stitched baffles when the patient positioner is inflated. Handles and straps can be attached to the patient positioner at step 2501 as well. In one or more embodiments, the air exit holes are positioned along the one or more air cambers between the selectively engaging surface gripping zones that are applied at step 2502.
At step 2502, the method 2500 comprises selectively engaging surface gripping zones of grippy feet to the lower patient positioner surface. In one or more embodiments, each selectively engaging surface gripping zone is centrally situated along the stitched baffles such that retracts within a concave lacuna when the patient positioner is inflated. In one or more embodiments, the grippy feet are applied in alternating, offset rows of three grippy feet along the stitched baffles. Other placement configurations will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
At step 2503, the method 2500 optionally applies a band of elastic, as described above with reference to
At step 2505, the patient positioner can be packaged for shipment. Optionally, step 2505 can comprise adding a high-friction pad to the package so that the packaged assembly defines a patient positioner system.
Turning now to
At 2601, a patient positioner comprises an upper patient positioner surface coupled to a lower patient positioner surface along a perimeter. At 2601, the patient positioner comprises one or more baffles coupling the upper patient positioner surface to the lower patient positioner surface interior of the perimeter with the one or more baffles defining a plurality of air chambers within the patient positioner.
At 2601, the patient positioner comprises one or more selectively engaging surface gripping zones attached to the lower patient positioner surface. At 2601, the one or more selectively engaging surface gripping zones are positioned centrally along the one or more baffles on a one-to-one basis such that grippy feet of the one or more selectively engaging surface gripping zones extend distally beyond surfaces of the plurality of air chambers when in a deflated state and retract within concave lacuna situated beneath apices of the plurality of air chambers when in an inflated state.
At 2602, the grippy feet of the one or more selectively engaging surface gripping zones of 2601 are configured to engage a procedure table upon which the patient positioner is placed when the plurality of air chambers is in the deflated state and disengage the procedure table when the plurality of chambers is in the inflated state. At 2602, the grippy feet of 2601 are made of silicone.
At 2604, the grippy feet of 2603 are arranged in alternating, offset rows along a length of each selectively engaging surface gripping zone of the one or more selectively engaging surface gripping zones. At 2605, the alternating, offset rows of 2604 each comprise three grippy feet.
At 2606, the lower patient positioner surface of 2601 also defines a plurality of air exit holes. At 2607, the plurality of air exit holes of 2606 is centrally situated along the apices of the plurality of air chambers when in the inflated state.
At 2608, the patient positioner of 2601 defines one or more slots situated within the one or more selectively engaging surface gripping zones. At 2609, the one or more slots of 2608 are centrally situated within the one or more selectively engaging surface gripping zones.
At 2610, the grippy feet of 2601 have a diameter less than one tenth of an inch. At 2611, half of the grippy feet of each selectively engaging surface gripping zone of the one or more selectively engaging surface gripping zones of 2601 situate on a first side of the concave lacuna when the plurality of air chambers are in the inflated state and another half of the grippy feet of the each selectively engaging surface gripping zone of the one or more selectively engaging surface gripping zones situate on a second side of the concave lacuna when the plurality of air chambers are in the inflated state.
At 2612, a method of constructing a patient positioner comprises attaching an upper patient positioner surface to a lower patient positioner surface. At 2612, the method comprises coupling baffles between the upper patient positioner surface and the lower patient positioner surface to define one or more air chambers between the upper patient positioner surface and the lower patient positioner surface. At 2612, the method comprises attaching selectively engaging surface gripping zones of grippy feet to the lower patient positioner surface such that the selectively engaging surface gripping zones are centrally positioned atop the baffles on a one-to-one basis.
At 2613, the attaching the selectively engaging surface gripping zones of 2612 comprises applying the grippy feet in alternating, offset rows along the baffles. At 2614, the method of 2613 further comprises configuring air exit holes in the lower patient positioner surface along the one or more air chambers between the selectively engaging surface gripping zones.
At 2615, a patient positioner comprises an upper patient positioner surface and a lower patient positioner surface coupled to the upper patient positioner surface. At 2615, the lower patient positioner surface is configured to rest against a procedure table during a procedure.
At 2615, the patient positioner comprises a plurality of grippy feet attached to the lower patient positioner surface. At 2615, the plurality of grippy feet engage the procedure table when the patient positioner is in a deflated state and disengage the procedure table when the patient positioner is in an inflated state.
At 2616, the plurality of grippy feet of 2615 is arranged in selectively engaging surface gripping zones. At 2616, the lower patient positioner surface defines a plurality of air exit holes situated between the selectively engaging surface gripping zones.
At 2617, the plurality of air exit holes of 2616 is configured to create an air bearing between the procedure table and the patient positioner when the patient positioner is in the inflated state and the grippy feet are disengaged from the procedure table. At 2618, the patient positioner of 2616 further comprises a plurality of stitched baffles coupling the upper patient positioner surface to the lower patient positioner surface. At 2618, the plurality of stitched baffle defines a plurality of air chambers within the patient positioner.
At 2619, each selectively engaging surface gripping zone of the selectively engaging surface gripping zones of 2618 are centrally positioned along a stitched baffle of the stitched baffles. At 2620, each selectively engaging surface gripping zone of 2618 comprises three columns of the grippy feet on one side of the stitched baffle and three other columns of the grippy feet on another side of the stitched baffle.
In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims below. Thus, while preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described, it is clear that the disclosure is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the following claims.
For example, with the aforementioned teachings it can be understood that other inflatable sheet architectures can be modified according to embodiments of the disclosure. Examples include that found in US Published Patent Application No. 2023/0240924 to Kea et al., published Aug. 3, 2023, which was incorporated herein by reference above. Others will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present disclosure. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims.
