This disclosure relates to an improved positioning system for supporting and heating a patient during medical treatment.
Vacuum actuated positioning aids or devices are utilized in the operating room for positioning patients in the supine, prone and lateral positions. They are frequently used when the patient is in the lateral position, i.e., on his or her side, for a multitude of surgical procedures, such as brain, chest, kidney, shoulder and hip surgery, to name a few. The devices typically comprise a flexible air impervious bag containing small particles or beads which consolidate into a rigid mass when the bag is evacuated.
More specifically, devices of this type typically are filled with thousands of tiny, elastically deformable, generally spherical, polystyrene or plastic beads. When the device is in the soft (unevacuated) condition, the beads are free to move around so that the device can be molded to the patient's body. When air is removed (using a vacuum source), atmospheric pressure forces the beads together into a solid mass, positioning yet immobilizing the patient in the selected position. Allowing air back into the device returns it to its initial soft condition, ready for re-use. These positioning devices, sometimes referred to as bean bag positioners, typically have a generally square or rectangular shape and in some cases are provided with a U-shaped shoulder cutout located centrally along one edge.
Fabric-style devices also are used for positioning patients during exam or treatment. These devices typically are wrapped around one or more sections of the patient, and include one or more wide canvas flaps with adjustable Velcro™ straps. The flaps may be detached/unwrapped to allow a particular area of the patient to be selectively exposed for treatment. Foam pads and other positioning aids also are used to reduce pressure points and provide patient support during surgery.
During surgery, a patient's body temperature may drop, especially if the patient is in a state where the hypothalamus is not operative and the patient lacks the ability to shiver to generate heat. A standard way of regulating the patient's body temperature involves blowing warm air over the patient during surgery. In one example, a disposable paper double-layered blanket is placed over the top of a patient lying on an operating table. The bottom layer of the blanket includes several holes adjacent to the patient's skin. Warm air is blown into the blanket between the two layers and the warm air passes through the holes and warms the patient. However, the warm air blowing on the patient may not be sterile and can introduce contaminants to the operating area. In addition, this kind of warming blanket only warms the top surfaces of the patient and presents a waste and cost problem since the paper blankets must be disposed of after each operation. Thus, there is a need for an improved system to warm a patient during surgery.
There is also a need for an improved positioning system for surgery, especially surgeries in which the patient is supported on an inclined surgery table as, for example, when the patient is in the Trendelenburg, Reverse Trendelenburg or Lateral Oblique positions. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved positioning and warming system for patients during surgery.
Described herein are exemplary embodiments of improved surgical positioners that not only help position a patient during surgery, but also help maintain the patient's body temperature or otherwise warm the patient during surgery.
Some exemplary surgical positioning devices disclosed herein comprise a flexible shell defining a deflatable air-tight internal region partially filled with beads and an electrical warming material, or fabric, coupled to the shell. The electrical warming material can be coupled to an internal surface of the shell that is adjacent to the patient. The warming fabric is configured to convert electrical current, such as DC current, into heat for warming the patient during surgery.
In some embodiments, the device further comprises an electrical power cord coupled at a first end to the electrical warming fabric and couplable at a second end to an electrical power source. The cord can have an intermediate portion passing through the shell at an air-tight, or hermetically sealed, seam between upper and lower shell walls. In some of these embodiments, the electrical power cord further comprises a heat controller configured to control the amount of heat produced by the electrical warming fabric and/or an AC-to-DC converter.
In some embodiments, the electrical warming fabric comprises an upper surface in contact with the lower surface of an upper wall of the shell. The device further comprising an adhesive layer positioned within the shell and covering the lower surface of the electrical warming fabric. The adhesive layer can comprising a peripheral portion that extends beyond lateral edges of the electrical warming fabric and is adhered to the lower surface of the upper wall of the shell around the warming fabric, such that the adhesive layer separates the electrical warming fabric from the beads and secures the electrical warming fabric to the upper wall of the shell.
Some embodiments of the device are configured for human patients and others are configured for non-human animal patients.
Some exemplary methods related to the disclosed positioners comprise: positioning a surgical positioner between a patient and a support surface with the patient being in a selected position for surgery, the positioner comprising a shell, an electrical warming material coupled to an internal surface of the shell, and a plurality of beads within the shell; evacuating air from the shell such that the positioner fittingly engages lower and side portions of the patient to hold the patient in the selected position; and supplying direct electrical current to the electrical warming material to warm the patient through the shell of the positioner.
Some methods further comprise adjusting the electrical current to the electrical warming material to maintain the patient's body temperature within a selected range.
In some methods, supplying direct electrical current to the electrical warming fabric comprises converting alternating electrical current to direct electrical current.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.
General Considerations
For purposes of this description, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the embodiments of this disclosure are described herein. The disclosed methods, apparatuses, and systems should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and nonobvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another. The methods, apparatuses, and systems are not limited to any specific aspect or feature or combination thereof, nor do the disclosed embodiments require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved.
Although the operations of some of the disclosed methods are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed methods can be used in conjunction with other methods.
As used herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “at least one” encompass one or more of the specified element. That is, if two of a particular element are present, one of these elements is also present and thus “an” element is present. The terms “a plurality of” and “plural” mean two or more of the specified element.
As used herein, the term “and/or” used between the last two of a list of elements means any one or more of the listed elements. For example, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means “A,” “B,” “C,” “A and B,” “A and C,” “B and C” or “A, B and C.”
As used herein, the term “coupled” generally means mechanically, chemically, or otherwise physically coupled or linked and does not exclude the presence of intermediate elements between the coupled or associated items absent specific contrary language.
Exemplary Surgical Positioning Systems
Referring to
In another preferred embodiment, the flexible impermeable material can comprise various other materials, such as a urethane material. Desirably, the shell material can be RF weldable and/or heat sealable in order to form an air tight seal between two portions of the shell material.
The bag 12 can comprise top and bottom opposing walls 14, 16, which can be RF welded, heat sealed or otherwise joined together at their perimeters, such as at upper, lower and lateral edges 18, 20, 22, for strength and airtightness. The bag 12 can have any size and shape, such as for variously sized human patients and/or variously sized animal patients. In one embodiment for an adult human patient, the bag's width at its widest point can be about 42 inches, which exceeds the shoulder width of most patients, and the bag's length at its longest point is about 46 inches, which corresponds generally to the distance between the neck and upper thighs of an average height adult human patient. Thus, when the patient is placed in the supine position on the bag 12, as shown in
Referring again to the exemplary embodiment shown in
Lateral edges 22a, 22b each define opposed cut-out portions 28a, 28b, and opposed projecting wrist supporting portions 30a, 30b. Wrist supporting portions 30a, 30b project outwardly to increase the width of the bag in the region proximate the lower edge 20. The width of the bag across the wrist supporting portions can be about 35 inches. The wrist supporting portions may be folded upwardly to provide lateral support for the patient's wrists and hands. They help secure the patient's wrists and hands against the side of the patient's body. The cut out portions 28a, 28b give the bag a tapered waist and low profile in the vicinity of the patient's arms so as to provide easy access to the patient's wrists and forearms for insertion of an IV, surgical access to the lower lateral abdomen, access for surgical instruments and other purposes.
The lower edge 20 preferably includes a central trapezoid-like cut out 32 to provide perineal access. The cut out 32 preferably conforms to perineal access cut outs sometimes used in operating room table designs to provide access for speculums, rectal instruments and the like.
As shown in
In another embodiment, the straps can be formed of ballistic nylon. Also, instead of a Velcro®-type fastener, a buckle or other such fastening system (e.g., a D-Ring system, etc.) can be used to secure the ends of the straps to one another.
It will be appreciated that once the straps are secured to the operating table, the fixed attachment of the straps to the strap patches 34a, 34b, 34c (and effectively to the bag 12 as well), keep the bag from sliding laterally on the operating table as, for example, when the table is tilted laterally to place the patient in the Trendelenburg and Lateral Oblique position.
Before walls 14, 16 are joined together to form the enclosed bag 12, the bag is partially filled with a charge of beads 42 (
The bottom wall 16 of the bag 12 is provided with a valve 44 (
As shown in
As shown best in
The pillow preferably is made of the same material as the bag 12 itself. The pillow may be inflated by a number of conventional techniques, one of which is a hand held inflation bulb 50 (
Referring to
With reference to
The positioning system envelops the patient's shoulders and a portion of her chest, creating a narrow channel around the patient's neck and shoulders to resist the tendency of the patient to slide either laterally or longitudinally on the inclined plane formed by the operating table. The system provides substantial bulk and mass in the area of the patient's shoulders to help hold the patient in place. The system's conformity to the patient's anatomy (lower back, spine, shoulder blades, etc.) contributes to hold the patient in place.
In using the surgical positioning system, the bag 12 is centered on the operating table 40, with the pillow 46 toward the head of the operating table, and securely fastened to the table using the fastening straps 38a, 38b, 38c. The straps may be secured to the side rails of the operating table. The bag is then smoothed out so that the internal beads 42 inside are evenly distributed. The disposable waterproof slipcover 54 is then placed over the bag 12 and tucked underneath.
The patient is then placed in the supine position on the bag with the neck and head resting on the pillow 46. In the case of smaller or shorter patients, the pillow can be folded forward before the patient is placed in position. The inflation bulb 50 is then used to inflate the pillow as much as necessary to support and position the patient's head/neck, typically in a neutral position for most surgeries.
The lateral sides of the bag are then folded upwardly to engage the sides, shoulders and upper arms, forearms and wrists of the patient. The lateral and superior sides are snugly packed against the patient to accommodate the natural contours thereof and provide a generally U-shaped cradle for the patient. The top of the bag conforms to the patient's posterior. While holding the patient and bag in the desired position, air is evacuated from the interior of the bag 12. Specifically, the female portion of the evacuation valve 44 is attached to the male portion and a vacuum source is connected to the end of the female portion to evacuate air from the interior of the bag. Evacuation is continued until the bag is firm to provide contoured support for the patient. When the desired level of support is achieved, the female portion is detached from the male portion and the vacuum source is detached from the female portion. The bag retains its conforming shape. It will be appreciated that many types of known valve/hose constructions can be used to create and release the vacuum.
Once the patient is secured, the operating table 40 may be inclined to place the patient in the Steep Trendelenburg, Reverse Trendelenburg, Oblique Lateral or other inclined position for surgery. The positioning system uses different techniques to immobilize the patient in a comfortable manner while avoiding the application of significant local pressure to any specific region. The system spreads the cradling/supporting force over a relatively wide surface area of the patient's anatomy and yet provides easy access to a large surface area of the patient's anatomy, including the patient's forearms and lower lateral abdomen. Significantly, the system retains the patient in place by engaging a wide surface area of the patient in a way that eliminates pressure points. The bag's low profile in the vicinity of the patient's forearms also allows surgical instruments to swing lower along the side of the patient and allows the tips of medical instruments in the abdomen to reach the inner aspect of the anterior abdominal wall with less interference from the side restraints of conventional systems. Yet, the positioning system maintains contact with a sizable surface area of the patient's anatomy, including the patient's shoulders, upper arms, forearms, hands, hips and thighs. Such surface contact provides a friction surface and contour fit to resist the tendency of the patient to slip or slide longitudinally relative to the bag.
The bag's overall design also provides protuberances or abutments that serve as longitudinal obstructions for portions of the patient's anatomy. These obstructions resist the gravity influenced tendency of the patient to slide or slip on the inclined operating table. For example, as shown in
The bag also is designed to create narrow channels to resist sliding movement of the patient relative to the bag and the operating table. More specifically, as shown best in
Surgical positioning system 112 includes multiple chambers filled with beads 42 to further facilitate positioning and securing the patient using the positioning system. As shown in
Such chambers can be formed in a variety of manners. For example, in the embodiment shown in
As shown in
By forming a plurality of adjacent chambers of beads 42, surgical positioning system 112 can be formed with greater rigidity. As described above, in single chamber systems, the beads form a sold mass when air is removed from the chamber. As the solid mass forms, the beads conform to the patient to immobilize the patient in a desired position. In contrast, by forming multiple solid masses by separately evacuating adjacent chambers, not only do each of the solid masses conform to the patient to immobilize the patient in the desired position, but adjacent solid masses also interlock with one another to increase the rigidity of the system.
For example, by evacuating main chamber 115 first, main chamber 115 forms a solid mass that at least partially conforms to the patient. When the solid mass is formed, edges and surfaces of main chamber 115 form irregular surfaces (e.g., bends, folds, crinkles). As air is evacuated from secondary chambers 117, 119, each of those chambers also forms a solid mass that at least partially conforms to the patient. In addition, as each of those solid masses is formed, edges and surfaces of secondary chambers 117, 119 also form irregular surfaces (e.g., bends, folds, crinkles).
As seen in
Secondary chambers can be positioned on positioning system 112 where greater rigidity and strength can be particularly useful, such as at a portion on positioning system 112 where the most pressure is exerted by the patient. For example, when a patient is in the Trendelenburg position, this can be at an upper portion (e.g., shoulder region) of the positioning system 112, where a large portion of the patient's weight is directed.
As shown in
Thus, if the patient is in a Trendelenburg position, with his or her feet above the head, the downward force exerted by the patient can be at least partially countered by the frictional forces between adjacent edges and surfaces of the main chamber 115 and secondary chambers 117, 119. As each of the chambers 115, 117, 119 conform to the patient, surfaces of the chambers contact and engage with surfaces of at least one adjacent chamber to restrict relative movement between adjacent chambers.
Although the embodiment of
Multi-chambered positioning systems can be particularly useful for use with bariatric patients. Bariatric patients are those patients that exceed the physical size, shape, width, and/or weight of an average patient. It is not uncommon for bariatric patients to weigh in excess of 300 pounds and, in some cases, over 400 pounds. Due to the increased forces exerted by a bariatric patient on the support system, the additional rigidity and support provided by the friction forces between adjacent chambers can be particularly helpful to immobilize and position the patient in the manners described above.
In bariatric applications, the positioning system's preferred width at its widest point can be significantly larger than in other applications. Thus for example, instead of about 42 inches, the width of the positioning system can be about 54 inches which exceeds the shoulder width of most bariatric patients. The positioning system's preferred length can also be longer, with its longest point about 51 inches. Thus, when the bariatric patient is placed in the supine position on the positioning system 112, the lateral edges 122 can be folded up along the patient's neck, shoulders, arms, hips and upper thighs and packed snuggly against the bariatric patient's body to accommodate the natural contours thereof.
Referring again to
As in other embodiments, lateral edges 122a, 122b each define opposed cut-out portions 128a, 128b, and opposed projecting wrist supporting portions 130a, 130b. In the example, shown in
As shown in
It will be appreciated that once the straps are secured to the operating table, the fixed attachment of the straps to the strap patches 134a, 134b, 134c (and effectively to the positioning system 112 as well), keep the positioning system from sliding laterally or longitudinally on the operating table as, for example, when the table is tilted laterally while the patient in the Trendelenburg and other positions.
Additional strap and/or fastening systems can be used to further secure the patient and/or the positioning system to the table. For example, as shown in
The strap-receiving members 121 shown in
Positioning system 112 preferably is configured to wrap around and overlie at least a portion of the patient's shoulders and upper chest, as described in other embodiments and as shown, for example, in
The straps can be secured around or coupled to any available portion of the operating table. For example, the straps can be secured to a side rail or, in other embodiments, can extend around the bottom of the table and be secured to another portion of the table or to itself.
In the exemplary embodiments that include multiple chambers described above, each of the various chambers can be evacuated independently of the evacuation of other chambers. Thus, as described above, main chamber 115 can be evacuated before secondary chambers 117, 119 are sequentially or concurrently evacuated. To permit independent evacuation, each of the chambers 115, 117, 119 can have a valve 144 that communicates with the interiors of the chambers 115, 117, 119 for evacuating air therefrom. Various possible valves are described in more detail above.
A valve lock can also be provided to lock the valve after evacuation to prevent an unintentional and/or accidentally release of the negative pressure applied to the positioning system during operation.
As shown in
At least one port can be provided in one or more of the top and bottom walls 114, 116 to allow for the addition of beads to the positioning system 112. Because of the negative pressures applied to the beads, over time, the beads can deteriorate and lose some functionality. Accordingly, the port allows access to the internal chamber(s) of the system so that additional beads can be added to system. Of course, the port can also allow for the removal or exchange of beads within the positioning system. The port can comprise an opening that has a cover (e.g., a round cap) or removable member capable of allowing access to the opening. Such ports can also be schematically depicted by a square hinged member positioned along any surface of one or more chambers. Port(s) are preferably positioned on the bottom wall 116 of the positioning system so that the port(s) are not located on the side of the positioning system that contacts the patient.
As shown in
The electrical warming fabric 350 is electrically couplable to an electrical power source, such as an AC power outlet, and configured to generate heat for warming the patient. The positioner further comprises a plurality of beads 342 (see
The positioner 312 can further comprise an electrical power cord 356 coupled at a first end to the electrical warming fabric 350 and couplable at a second end to an electrical power source via a plug 362. The cord 356 can comprise an intermediate portion passing through the shell at an air-tight seam between the upper wall 314 and the lower wall 316. The power cord 356 can further comprise a heat controller 358 configured to control the amount of heat produced by the electrical warming fabric 350. The heat controller 358 can comprise a rheostatic heat controller, a digital heat controller, or other device for adjusting the current supplied to the fabric 350. The power cord 356 can further comprise an AC-to-DC converter 360 between the plug 362 and the heat controller 358. A busbar 354 can couple the first end of the cord 356 to the warming fabric 350. The busbar 354 can be configured to distribute current evenly across the fabric 350 to produce even heat production across the fabric.
The positioner 312 can further comprise at least one temperature sensor positioned within, or adjacent to, the upper wall 314 of the shell to measure the temperature at the contact surface with a patient. With the positioner 312 engaged with a patient, such a temperature sensor can be positioned between the electrical warming fabric 350 and the patient. The temperature sensor can provide feedback for the heat controller 358 to help control the amount of heat produced by the warming fabric 350 and to maintain a desired temperature at the interface of the patient and the upper wall 314. The temperature sensor can comprise a thermistor or other heat detection device.
The fabric 350 can comprise a plurality of resistive elements electrically coupled to the busbar 354 that are configured to convert electrical current into heat substantially evenly across the fabric. In one example, the electrical warming fabric 350 can comprise a semi-conductive polymeric fabric using low voltage direct current (˜48V DC). The fabric 350 can comprise a rectangular configuration in some embodiments, as shown in
As shown in the cross-sectional view of
As shown in
In some embodiments, an additional insulation layer (not shown) can be disposed between the adhesive layer 352 and the warming fabric 350 to electrically and/or thermally insulate the lower surface of the warming fabric. Such an insulation layer can comprise muslin and/or other materials.
In alternative embodiments, the electrical warming fabric 350 can be held in place against the upper wall 314 of the shell by various other means instead of using the adhesive layer 352. In some embodiments, the electrical warming fabric 350 can be positioned within a pocket formed in the upper wall 314 of the shell. For example, an additional layer of the shell material, or the like, can be coupled to the bottom surface of the upper wall 314, such as by heat sealing or RF welding, to form a pocket and the electrical warming material 350 can be positioned in the pocket. Such a pocket can be used to hold the warming fabric in place instead of the adhesive layer 352.
The top and bottom opposing walls 314, 316 can be radio frequency welded, heat sealed, or otherwise joined together at their peripheral edges for strength and airtightness. When the patient is placed in the supine position on the positioner, as shown in
The top edge 318 includes two opposed shoulder edge portions 324a, 324b, and a pillow edge portion 326 located therebetween. Adjacent to the pillow edge portion 326, the shoulder edge portions 324a, 324b have a relatively tight radius of curvature, preferably about 4⅜ inch, allowing the top edge 318 to be folded upwardly adjacent either side of the patient's head and neck for support. As top edge 318 extends laterally outwardly toward lateral edges 322, the top edge retains an arc-like curvature but the radius of curvature of shoulder edge portions 324a, 324b increases significantly to expand the width of the shell and allow the top edge (when folded) to wrap around and at least partially overlie the patient's shoulders to support and immobilize the patient's upper body. The shoulder portions 324a, 324b of the upper edge 318 terminate where lateral edges 322a, 322b begin, defining the widest point of the shell.
The pillow or headrest portion 346 is preferably hingedly attached to the rest of the shell along a lateral line 347 such that the headrest portion 346 and the shoulder portions 324 can independently conform to the patient's head and shoulders.
Lateral edges 322a, 322b each define opposed cut-out portions 328a, 328b, and opposed projecting wrist supporting portions 330a, 330b. Wrist supporting portions 330a, 330b project outwardly to increase the width of the shell in the region proximate the bottom edge 320. The wrist supporting portions may be folded upwardly to provide lateral support for the patient's wrists and hands. They help secure the patient's wrists and hands against the side of the patient's body. The cut out portions 328a, 328b give the shell a tapered waist and low profile in the vicinity of the patient's arms so as to provide easy access to the patient's wrists and forearms for insertion of an IV, surgical access to the lower lateral abdomen, access for surgical instruments and other purposes. The bottom edge 320 preferably includes a central trapezoid-like cut out 332 to provide perineal access.
The warming fabric 350 is preferably located between the hinge line 347 and the bottom cut out 332, and between the lateral cut out portions 328a, 328b, as shown in
The veterinary positioner 412 shown in
Like the human positioner 312, the veterinary positioner 412 can also comprise an electrical warming fabric 450, an adhesive layer 452 covering the warming fabric, a busbar 454, a power cord 456, a heat controller 458, an AC-to-DC converter 460, and a plug 462. The veterinary positioner 412 can further comprise a plurality of apertures 464, as shown in
Embodiments of the veterinary positioner 412 can be shaped and sized in various manners to conform to various different types of animal patients. A cross-section of the veterinary positioner 412 (not shown) would appear generally the same as the cross-section of the human positioner 312 shown in
The lateral positioner 512 shown in
It should be understood that in other embodiments not shown, the shell can have any number of other shapes and configurations for various types of patients and/or procedures without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
Like the supine positioner 312, the lateral positioner 512 can also comprise an electrical warming fabric 550, an adhesive layer 552 covering the warming fabric, a busbar 554, a power cord 556, a heat controller 558, an AC-to-DC converter 560, and a plug 562.
Each of the positioner embodiments 312, 412, 512 can further comprise straps or other devices to secure the positioner to an operating table or other support structure below the positioner, in the same manner as described above with respect to the straps 38 (see
In use, the positioners 312, 412, 512 can be used just like the embodiments 12 and 112 shown in
In alternative embodiments, the warming fabric can be coupled to a mobile DC power source, such as a battery, to provide improved mobility of the positioner.
In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosed invention may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred examples of the invention and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims. We therefore claim as our invention all that comes within the scope of these claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3212497 | Dickinson | Oct 1965 | A |
3762404 | Sakita | Oct 1973 | A |
4234982 | Bez et al. | Nov 1980 | A |
4657003 | Wirtz | Apr 1987 | A |
4862879 | Coombs | Sep 1989 | A |
4885811 | Hayes | Dec 1989 | A |
4962769 | Garcia | Oct 1990 | A |
4999867 | Toivio et al. | Mar 1991 | A |
5121756 | Koledin | Jun 1992 | A |
5154185 | Latimer et al. | Oct 1992 | A |
5443488 | Namenye et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
D362913 | Eisenberg et al. | Oct 1995 | S |
5586348 | Toivio et al. | Dec 1996 | A |
5621934 | Olkkonen et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
5626150 | Johnson et al. | May 1997 | A |
5634222 | Zwickey | Jun 1997 | A |
5647079 | Hakamium | Jul 1997 | A |
5659908 | Nishino | Aug 1997 | A |
5906205 | Hiebert | May 1999 | A |
5986243 | Campf | Nov 1999 | A |
6215111 | Rock et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6318372 | Hiebert | Nov 2001 | B1 |
7319207 | Campf et al. | Jan 2008 | B2 |
7959658 | Fields et al. | Jun 2011 | B2 |
20050060806 | Wilkinson | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20110047706 | Hiebert | Mar 2011 | A1 |
20110126355 | Hiebert | Jun 2011 | A1 |
20110191960 | Hiebert | Aug 2011 | A1 |
Entry |
---|
International Search Report from correspoding International Application No. PCT/US2013/024180, dated May 7, 2013. |
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority from International Application No. PCT/US2013/024180, dated May 7, 2013. |
Augustine Biomedical & Design; “Hot Dog®,” http://vetwarming.com/technology.php, 2 pp. (obtained Jan. 31, 2012). |
Natus, Olympic Papoose Boards, http://www.natus.com/index.cfm?pa . . . , 2 pp. (obtained Jun. 17, 2010). |
Natus, Olympic Vac-Pac, http://www.natus.com/index.cfm?pa . . . , 2 pp. (obtained Jun. 17, 2010). |
Schroer Manufacturing Company, Shor-line® catalog; “Vacu-Positioner,” 3 pp., p. G1 (1987). |
Schroer Manufacturing Company, Shore-line® catalog; “Vacu-Positioner,” p. F20 Sep. 1998). |
SW Med-Source, http://www.swmedsource.com/bean . . . , 6 pp. (obtained Jun. 17, 2010). |
ThermoGear™ Inc., http://www.thermogear.com, 1 p. (obtained Jan. 31, 2012). |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20130192608 A1 | Aug 2013 | US |