Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR BOOSTING TRANSFERRING,
TURNING AND POSITIONING A PATIENT
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent
Application No. 62/326,548, filed April 22, 2016. This application is also a
continuation-
in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 14/942,604, filed November 16, 2015
which is a
continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 14/829,361, filed August 18, 2015.
The above-
mentioned applications are herein incorporated by reference in their
entireties.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention generally relates to an apparatus, system, and
method for
boosting, transferring, turning, and positioning a person on a bed or the
like, and, more
particularly, to an inflatable patient support device having a gripping
surface, an absorbent
pad, and/or a wedge for use in turning and positioning a person, utilizing
airflow, high and
low friction surfaces to transfer or boost, and selective glide assemblies to
allow, assist, or
resist movement of the components of the system in certain directions, as well
as systems
and methods including one or more of such apparatuses.
[0003] Nurses and other caregivers at hospitals, assisted living facilities,
and other
locations often care for patients with limited or no mobility, many of whom
are critically ill
or injured and/or are bedridden. These patients are dependent upon
nurses/caregivers to
move, and are at risk of forming pressure ulcers (bed sores) due to their
inability to move.
Pressure ulcers develop due to pressure on a patient's skin for prolonged
periods of time,
particularly over areas where bone or cartilage protrudes close to the surface
of the skin
because such pressure reduces blood flow to the area eventually resulting in
tissue death.
The risk of forming a pressure ulcer is exacerbated by skin surface damage
caused by
frictional forces and shearing forces resulting from the patient's skin
rubbing or pulling
against a surface and excessive heat and moisture, which causes the skin to be
more fragile
and therefore more susceptible to damage.
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[0004] One area in which pressure ulcers frequently form in an immobile
patient lying on
his/her back is over the sacral bone (the "sacrum"), because the sacrum and
supporting
mattress surface exert constant and opposing pressure on the skin, resulting
in the
aforementioned reduction in blood flow. Furthermore, skin in the sacral region
is often
more susceptible to damage due to shear and friction resulting from the
patient being
pushed or pulled over the surface of the mattress to reposition him/her, or
from sliding
down over the surface of the bed when positioned with his/her upper body in an
inclined
position for pulmonary reasons.
[0005] Existing devices and methods often do not adequately protect against
pressure
ulcers in bedridden patients, particularly pressure ulcers in the sacral
region. One effective
way to combat sacral pressure ulcers is frequent turning of the patient, so
that the patient is
alternately resting on one side or the other thus avoiding prolonged pressure
in the sacral
region. A protocol is often used for scheduled turning of a bedridden patient
and dictates
that a patient should be turned Q2, or every two hours, either from resting at
a 30 angle on
one side to a 30 angle on the other side, or from 30 on one side to 0
/supine (lying on
his/her back) to 30 on the other side. However, there are several barriers to
compliance
with this type of protocol, resulting in patients not being turned as often as
necessary, or
positioning properly at a side-lying angle, to prevent pressure ulcers. First,
turning patients
is difficult and time consuming, typically requiring two or more caregivers.
Second,
pillows are often stuffed partially under the patient to support the patient's
body in resting
on his or her left or right side; however, pillows are non-uniform and can
pose difficulties in
achieving consistent turning angles, as well as occasionally slipping out from
underneath
the patient. Third, patients who are positioned in an inclined position on the
bed often slide
downward toward the foot of the bed over time, which can cause them to slip
off of any
structures that may be supporting them. Additionally, this requires the
nurse/caregiver to
frequently "boost" the patient back up to the head of the bed, which, like
turning, can be
difficult and time-consuming, and once again may result in shearing/friction
of the patient's
skin. Further, many patient positioning devices cannot be left under a patient
for long
periods of time, because they do not have sufficient breathability and/or
compatibility with
certain bed functions such as low-air loss (LAL) technology and can be easily
stained when
soiled.
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[0006] Moreover, caregivers often need to move patients to or from a bed
surface for
transport, treatment, or examination of the patient. Patients who are
unconscious, disabled,
or otherwise unable to move under their own power often require the assistance
of multiple
caregivers to accomplish this transfer. The patient transfer process has
traditionally relied
upon one or more of several methods, including the use of folded bedsheets
("drawsheets")
or rigid transfer boards in concert with the exertion of strong pushing or
pulling forces by
the caregivers to accomplish the move. The process may be complicated by the
size of the
patient, the patient's level of disability, and/or the patient's state of
consciousness.
[0007] In addition to being difficult and time-consuming, turning,
positioning, transferring
and/or boosting patients, types of "patient handling" activities, can result
in injury to
healthcare workers who push, pull, or lift the patient's body weight. For
healthcare
workers, the most prevalent cause of injuries resulting in days away from work
is
overexertion or bodily reaction, which includes motions such as lifting,
bending, or reaching
and is often related to patient handling. These injuries can be sudden and
traumatic, but are
more often cumulative in nature, resulting in gradually increasing symptoms
and disability
in the healthcare worker.
[0008] In recognition of the risk and frequency of healthcare worker injuries
associated
with patient handling, safe patient handling procedures and/or protocols are
often
implemented in the healthcare setting. These protocols stress that methods for
moving
patients should incorporate a form of assistive device to reduce the effort
required to handle
the patient, thus minimizing the potential for injury to healthcare workers.
Such assistance
may be accomplished, for example, with the use of low-friction sheets or air
assisted patient
transfer devices that utilize forced air to reduce the physical exertion
needed from
healthcare workers to accomplish the task of moving a patient.
[0009] The present disclosure seeks to overcome certain of these limitations
and other
drawbacks of existing devices, systems, and methods, and to provide new
features not
heretofore available.
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SUMMARY
[0010] The following presents a general summary of aspects of the invention in
order to
provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an
extensive overview
of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of
the invention or to
delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents
some
concepts of the invention in a general form as a prelude to the more detailed
description
provided below.
[0011] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a system for use with a bed
having a
frame and a supporting surface supported by the frame, which includes an
inflatable patient
support device. The device includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet, where the
top sheet is
connected to the bottom sheet to define a cavity configured to be inflated,
such that the top
sheet forms a top wall of the cavity in use, and the bottom sheet forms a
bottom wall of the
cavity in use. The device further has a plurality of passages extending from
the cavity to an
exterior of the device, through the bottom sheet, and a plurality of gussets
connected to the
top sheet and the bottom sheet and extending across the cavity. The passages
are
configured to permit air to pass from the cavity to the exterior of the device
and to flow
between a bottom surface of the device and a supporting surface upon which the
device is
configured to rest. This airflow reduces friction between the device and the
surface on
which the device rests. The gussets may serve to limit inflation of the device
and at least
partially define the shape and contour of the device when inflated.
[0012] According to one aspect, the device further includes a port in
communication with
the cavity and with the exterior of the device, configured for connection to
an air output
(e.g., an air pump) for inflation of the cavity. The port may include an
opening configured
to receive a portion of the air output and a retaining mechanism configured to
retain the
portion of the air output within the opening.
[0013] According to another aspect, the device further includes a piece of a
directional
stitching material connected to the bottom surface of the device and
positioned to cover at
least one of the passages. The directional stitching material is air-permeable
to allow air
passing through the passage to escape to the exterior of the device. In one
configuration,
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the directional stitching material is oriented to resist sliding of the device
with respect to the
supporting surface toward a head edge or a foot edge of the device.
[0014] According to a further aspect, the device further includes a piece of
air-permeable
material connected to the bottom surface of the device and positioned to cover
at least one
of the passages, and wherein the piece of air-permeable material is configured
to allow air
passing through the passage(s) to escape to the exterior of the device. In one
configuration,
the piece of air-permeable material may have directional friction properties,
e.g., being
configured to provide greater resistance to sliding of the device with respect
to the
supporting surface in at least one direction as compared to at least one other
direction.
[0015] According to yet another aspect, the top sheet forms the top wall of
the cavity and
a top surface of the device, and the bottom sheet forms the bottom wall of the
cavity and the
bottom surface of the device. The top sheet and the bottom sheet may be formed
of a single
piece that folded over at one edge, or formed as separate pieces which are
joined together
around their edges, among other configurations.
[0016] According to a still further aspect, the top sheet has a high friction
material on a
top surface thereof, wherein the high friction material has a greater
resistance to sliding than
a material of the bottom sheet.
[0017] According to an additional aspect, the system includes the device and
further
includes a wedge comprising a wedge body having a base wall, a ramp surface,
and a back
wall, with the ramp surface and the base wall forming an apex at a front end
of the wedge.
The wedge is configured to be positioned under the device such that the base
wall confronts
the supporting surface and the ramp surface confronts the bottom surface of
the device. The
system may include multiple such wedges, and in one embodiment, two wedges are
included.
[0018] Additional aspects of the disclosure relate to a system as described
above, with an
inflatable device that includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet, where the top
sheet is
connected to the bottom sheet to define a cavity configured to be inflated,
such that the top
sheet forms a top wall of the cavity in use, and the bottom sheet forms a
bottom wall of the
cavity in use. The device also includes a plurality of passages extending from
the cavity to
an exterior of the device, through the bottom sheet, and a piece of air-
permeable material
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connected to the bottom surface of the device and positioned to cover at least
one of the
passages. The passages are configured to permit air to pass from the cavity to
the exterior
of the device and to flow between a bottom surface of the device and a
supporting surface
upon which the device is configured to rest. The piece of air-permeable
material is
configured to allow air passing through the passage(s) to escape to the
exterior of the
device. The device/system may also include any of the additional components
and/or
configurations described above.
[0019] According to one aspect, the device further includes a port in
communication with
the cavity and with the exterior of the device, configured for connection to
an air output for
inflation of the cavity.
[0020] According to another aspect, the air-permeable material is a
directional stitching
material configured to have a greater resistance to sliding in at least one
direction as
compared to at least one other direction. In one configuration, the
directional stitching
material may be oriented to resist sliding of the device with respect to the
supporting surface
toward a head edge or a foot edge of the device.
[0021] According to a further aspect, the device includes a plurality of
pieces of air-
permeable material, each connected to the bottom surface of the device and
positioned to
cover at least one of the passages. Each piece of air-permeable material is
configured to
allow air passing through the passage(s) to escape to the exterior of the
device. In one
configuration, each piece of the air-permeable material is a directional
stitching material as
described above.
[0022] According to yet another aspect, the top sheet has a high friction
material on a top
surface thereof, where the high friction material has a greater resistance to
sliding than a
material of the bottom sheet.
[0023] Further aspects of the disclosure relate to a system as described
above, with an
inflatable device that includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet, where the top
sheet is
connected to the bottom sheet to define a cavity configured to be inflated,
such that the top
sheet forms a top wall of the cavity in use, and the bottom sheet forms a
bottom wall of the
cavity in use. The device also includes a plurality of passages extending from
the cavity to
an exterior of the device, through the bottom sheet, where the passages are
configured to
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permit air to pass from the cavity to the exterior of the device and to flow
between a bottom
surface of the device and a supporting surface upon which the device is
configured to rest.
The device further includes a port in communication with the cavity and with
the exterior of
the device, configured for connection to an air output for inflation of the
cavity, and a valve
located within the cavity, between the top and bottom sheets, wherein the
valve is in
communication with the port and the cavity. The valve includes a pocket
located between
the top and bottom sheets, the pocket having an entrance opening in
communication with
the port to receive air from the port and an exit opening in communication
with the cavity.
The exit opening is spaced from the entrance opening, such that airflow
through the port is
configured to pass through the valve by flowing from the port into the
entrance opening,
through the pocket, and out through the exit opening, to enter the cavity. The
device/system
may also include any of the additional components and/or configurations
described above.
[0024] According to one aspect, the port further includes an opening
configured to receive
a portion of the air output and a retaining mechanism configured to retain the
portion of the
air output within the opening. In some aspects, the retaining mechanism is an
elastic
member that is adjustable to adjust the port opening.
[0025] According to another aspect, the device further includes a piece of a
directional
stitching material connected to the bottom surface of the device and
positioned to cover at
least one of the passages, where the directional stitching material is air-
permeable to allow
air passing through the passage(s) to escape to the exterior of the device.
[0026] According to a further aspect, the top sheet has a high friction
material on a top
surface thereof, wherein the high friction material has a greater resistance
to sliding than a
material of the bottom sheet.
[0027] According to a further aspect, a port sock includes a first open end
and a second
open end configured to connect to an air output (e.g., an air pump) at the
second open end.
The first end has a first opening configured to be couple with the inflatable
body and in
fluid communication with the cavity of the device, and the second end has a
second opening
including the port configured to connect to the air output. In one aspect, the
second opening
has retaining mechanism configured to hold the shape of the second opening
such as an
elastic member. The port sock also includes side pockets configured to receive
an oblong
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lip of a nozzle connected to the air output. The oblong lip may be a C-shaped
clip
configured to attach to an existing lip of a nozzle. The oblong lip may have a
shape where
one axis is longer than the other. The oblong lip may be substantially
symmetrical. The port
sock further includes side handles configured to stretch the retaining
mechanism of the
second opening such that the size of the second opening is adjustable. In some
aspects, the
C-shaped clip is removable. In still other aspects, the C-shaped clip is
manufactured as a
single, unitary component with the nozzle forming the oblong lip.
[0028] Still further aspects of the disclosure relate to a system as described
above, with an
inflatable device that includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet, where the top
sheet is
connected to the bottom sheet to define a cavity configured to be inflated,
such that the top
sheet forms a top wall of the cavity in use, and the bottom sheet forms a
bottom wall of the
cavity in use, as well as a port in communication with the cavity and with the
exterior of the
device, configured for connection to an air output for inflation of the
cavity. The device
also includes a plurality of passages extending from the cavity to an exterior
of the device,
through the bottom sheet, where the passages are configured to permit air to
pass from the
cavity to the exterior of the device and to flow between a bottom surface of
the device and a
supporting surface upon which the device is configured to rest. The device
further includes
a piece of air-permeable material connected to the bottom surface of the
device and
positioned to cover at least one of the passages, where the piece of air-
permeable material is
configured to allow air passing through the passage(s) to escape to the
exterior of the
device. The system also includes a wedge including a wedge body having a base
wall, a
ramp surface, and a back wall, with the ramp surface and the base wall forming
an apex at
the front end of the wedge. The wedge is configured to be positioned under the
device such
that the base wall confronts the supporting surface and the ramp surface
confronts the
bottom surface of the device. The system may further include multiple such
wedges, and in
one embodiment, two wedges are included. The device/system may also include
any of the
additional components and/or configurations described above.
[0029] According to one aspect, the air-permeable material is a directional
stitching
material configured to have a greater resistance to sliding in at least one
direction as
compared to at least one other direction. In one configuration, the ramp
surface of the
wedge has a ramp engagement member, and the wedge is configured to be
positioned under
the device such that the ramp engagement member engages the piece of air-
permeable
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material to create a directional gliding assembly configured to have a greater
resistance to
sliding between the ramp engagement member and the piece of air-permeable
material that
is greater in a first direction extending parallel to the front end of the
wedge and smaller in a
second direction extending from the front end toward the back wall of the
wedge. The
directional gliding assembly may further be configured to have a greater
resistance to
sliding between the ramp engagement member and the piece of air-permeable
material that
is greater in a third direction extending from the back wall toward the front
end of the
wedge and smaller in the second direction. It is understood that the ramp
engagement
member may include multiple different engagement members with resistances to
sliding in
different directions in one embodiment.
[0030] According to another aspect, the device further includes a plurality of
gussets
connected to the top sheet and the bottom sheet and extending across the
cavity.
[0031] According to a further aspect, the system further includes an absorbent
body pad
configured to be placed in contact with the top surface of the device, such
that the body pad
rests beneath a patient lying on the device.
[0032] According to yet another aspect, the system further includes an air
pump having an
air output configured for connection to the port for inflation of the device.
The pump may
have an attachment mechanism configured for attaching the pump to a structure.
For
example, the attachment mechanism may be a T-shaped bar that is connected to
the pump
by a hinge and has two arms with hooks at the ends thereof for hanging the
pump from a
structure such as a bed rail.
[0033] Other aspects of the disclosure relate to a method for use with a
system as
described herein and/or individual components of such systems, such as the
inflatable
device, wedges, etc. For example, the method may include placing an inflatable
device as
described herein above a supporting surface of a bed and beneath a patient
positioned on the
bed, and inflating the device, such as by using an air pump as described
above. According
to one aspect, the method may also include using the device to move the
patient on the bed,
or from the bed to another surface. An absorbent body pad may also be placed
between the
patient and the device.
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[0034] According to another aspect, the method may include inserting a wedge
or wedges
as described herein beneath the device and beneath the patient by moving the
wedge away
from a side edge of the bed and toward and under the patient. After insertion,
the ramp
surface of the wedge supports the patient in an angled position. The ramp
surface of the
wedge may have an engagement member that engages the bottom surface of the
device
(e.g., another engagement member on the device) to form a selective gliding
assembly that
resists movement of the device in a first direction away from the side edge of
the bed and/or
from the back wall toward the front end of the wedge, and permits movement of
the device
in a second direction toward the side edge of the bed and/or from the front
end toward the
back wall, such that a first pull force necessary to create sliding movement
of the wedge in
the first direction is greater compared to a second pull force necessary to
create sliding
movement of the wedge in the second direction. This permits the wedge to be
inserted
underneath the device, but resists the device sliding down the ramp surface of
the wedge.
Additionally or alternately, the base wall of the wedge may have an engagement
member
that engages a surface of the bed to form a selective gliding assembly that
resists movement
of the wedge with respect to the surface of the bed in a first direction away
from the patient
and toward the side edge of the bed, and permits movement of the wedge with
respect to the
surface of the bed in a second direction from the side edge of the bed toward
the patient to
ease insertion of the wedge beneath the device, such that a first pull force
necessary to
create sliding movement of the wedge in the first direction is greater
compared to a second
pull force necessary to create sliding movement of the wedge in the second
direction. The
device (along with the patient) may be pulled slightly toward the side edge of
the bed to
properly position the patient after insertion of the wedge.
[0035] Another method for use with a system as described herein and/or
individual
components of such systems, such as the inflatable device, wedges, etc. may
include placing
above a supporting surface an inflatable device comprising an inflatable body
formed by a
top sheet and a bottom sheet disposed in connection with the top sheet to form
a cavity
having the top sheet as a top wall and the bottom sheet as a bottom wall, and
at least one
port having a port opening in fluid communication with the cavity and
configured to
provide an air input for air for inflating the cavity, wherein the at least
one port comprises
an elastic member for adjusting a size of the port opening. The method may
further include
placing a patient above the inflatable device, adjusting the port opening to
receive a nozzle
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of an air pump, and inflating the device using the air pump. The method may
further include
using the device to change a position of the patient on the support surface.
[0036] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from
the
following description taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of
example,
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a system for use in
turning and
positioning a patient, according to aspects of the disclosure, with a patient
shown in broken
lines;
[0039] FIG. 2 is a partially-exploded perspective view of the system of FIG.
1;
[0040] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of an
inflatable device
of the system of FIG. 1;
[0041] FIG. 4 is a partially-broken away top elevation view of the inflatable
device of
FIG. 3, with some internal detail shown in broken lines;
[0042] FIG. 5 is a bottom elevation view of the inflatable device of FIG. 3,
with some
internal detail shown in broken lines;
[0043] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a caregiver inserting wedges of the
system of FIG.
1 underneath the inflatable device of FIGS. 1-5;
[0044] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of a wedge of the system of FIG. 1;
[0045] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the wedge of FIG. 7;
[0046] FIG. 8A is a side view of the wedge of FIG. 7;
[0047] FIGS. 8B-8D are side views of additional embodiments of a wedge that is
usable
in connection with the system of FIG. 1;
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[0048] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the inflatable device of FIGS. 1-5 with
an air output
connected to a port on the inflatable device;
[0049] FIG. 10 is a magnified view of the port of the inflatable device shown
in FIG. 9;
[0050] FIG. 11 is a magnified view of the port of the inflatable device shown
in FIGS. 9-
10, with the air output in position for insertion into the port;
[0051] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the inflatable device of FIGS. 1-
5;
[0052] FIG. 13 is a magnified view of a portion of the inflatable device as
shown in FIG.
12;
[0053] FIGS. 14-17 are bottom elevation views of additional embodiments of
inflatable
devices configured for use with the system of FIG. 1, according to aspects of
the disclosure;
[0054] FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view of various selective glide assemblies
of the
system of FIG. 1, with arrows schematically illustrating directions of free
movement and
directions of resistance to movement between the components of the system;
[0055] FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view of one engagement member of a
selective glide
assembly of the system of FIG. 1;
[0056] FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a
device for use
with a system for turning and positioning a patient, according to aspects of
the disclosure;
[0057] FIG. 21 is a top view of the device of FIG. 20;
[0058] FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the device of FIG. 20;
[0059] FIG. 23 is a cross-section view of the device of FIG. 20;
[0060] FIG. 24 is a magnified portion of the cross-section view of FIG. 23;
[0061] FIG. 25 is a magnified cross-section view of another embodiment of a
device for
use with a system for turning and positioning a patient, according to aspects
of the
disclosure;
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[0062] FIG. 26 is a top view of another embodiment of a device for use with a
system for
turning and positioning a patient, according to aspects of the disclosure;
[0063] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a pump according to aspects of the
present
disclosure;
[0064] FIG. 28 is a side view of the pump of FIG. 27;
[0065] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a portion of a pump according to
aspects of the
present disclosure;
[0066] FIG. 30 is a top elevation view of another embodiment of a device for
use with a
system for turning and positioning a patient, according to aspects of the
disclosure;
[0067] FIG. 31 is a top plan view of a portion of the device of FIG. 30;
[0068] FIG. 32 is a magnified side view of a port of the device of FIG. 30;
[0069] FIG. 33 is a top plan view of an air output connected to the port of
FIG. 32;
[0070] FIG. 34 is a top plan view of the air output of FIG. 33 connected to a
second port
of the device of FIG. 30; and
[0071] FIG. 35 is a top plan view of a pocket connected to the port of the
device of FIG.
30.
[0072] FIG. 36 is a top view of a port sock connected to the inflatable body
of the device
of FIG. 30
[0073] FIG. 37 is a front view of an opening of a port sock of FIG. 36
connected to the
inflatable body of the device of FIG. 30.
[0074] FIG. 38 is a perspective view of an exploded assembly of a nozzle and a
C-shaped
clip.
[0075] FIG. 39 is a perspective view of an assembly having a nozzle and a C-
shaped clip
installed on the nozzle.
[0076] FIG. 40 is a top view of a nozzle, and a C-shaped clip.
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[0077] FIG. 41 is a perspective view of nozzle with an oblong lip formed
integrally with
the nozzle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0078] While this invention is capable of embodiment in many different forms,
there are
shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, certain
embodiments of the
invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be
considered as an
example of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the
broad aspects of
the invention to the embodiments illustrated and described.
[0079] In general, the disclosure relates to a system or apparatus, including
an inflatable
patient support device, an absorbent body pad configured to be placed over the
device, and
one or more wedges configured to be placed underneath the device to support
the patient in
various positions, where the wedge(s) and the device form one or more
selective gliding
assemblies, as well as systems including one or more of such devices and
methods utilizing
one or more of such systems and/or devices. Various embodiments of the
invention are
described below.
[0080] Referring now to the figures, and initially to FIGS. 1-6, there is
shown an example
embodiment of a system 10 for use in turning and positioning a person resting
on a surface,
such as a patient lying on a hospital bed. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 10
includes an
inflatable patient support device (hereinafter, "device") 20, an absorbent
body pad 40
configured to be placed over the device 20, and one or more wedges 50
configured to be
placed under the device 20. The patient can be positioned on top of the body
pad 40, with
the body pad 40 lying on the device 20, and one or more wedges 50A,B
optionally
positioned underneath the device 20.
[0081] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the system 10 is configured to be placed on a
bed 12 or
other support apparatus for supporting a person in a supine position. The bed
12 generally
includes a frame 14 and a supporting surface 16 supported by the frame 14, as
shown in
FIGS. 1-2 and 6, and has a head 13, a foot 17 opposite the head 13, and
opposed sides or
edges 19 extending between the head 13 and the foot 17. The supporting surface
16 can be
provided by a mattress 18 or similar structure, and in various embodiments,
the mattress 18
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can incorporate air pressure support, alternating air pressure support and/or
low-air-loss
(LAL) technology. These technologies are known in the art, and utilize a pump
motor or
motors (not shown) to effectuate airflow into, over and/or through the
mattress 18. For beds
having LAL technology, the top of the mattress 18 may be breathable so that
the airflow can
pull heat and moisture vapor away from the patient. The bed 12 may also
include one or
more bed sheets (such as a fitted sheet or flat sheet), as well as pillows,
blankets, additional
sheets, and other components known in the art. Further, the bed 12 may be an
adjustable
bed, such as a typical hospital-type bed, where the head 13 (or other parts)
of the bed 12 can
be raised and lowered, such as to incline the patient's upper body. It is
understood that the
system 10 and the components thereof can be used with other types of beds 12
as well.
[0082] In example embodiments described herein, the system 10 has one or more
selective
gliding assemblies 60 positioned between components of the system 10 to permit
sliding of
the components relative to each other in certain directions and to resist
sliding of the
components relative to each other in at least one direction. The selective
gliding assemblies
60 are formed by one or more directionally-oriented engagement members
positioned
between the components and configured to engage the components to permit and
limit
sliding in specified directions. In general, these directionally-oriented
engagement
members are configured to have a resistance to sliding in at least one
direction that is
greater than their resistance to sliding in at least one other direction.
[0083] One type of engagement member that is usable in connection with the
apparatus 10
is a stitched material 45 with a directional stitching pattern that extends
along a particular
direction, such as a herringbone or zig-zag stitching pattern (see FIG. 19),
to assist in
allowing the engagement member to glide along one axis and to resist gliding
along another
axis. As seen in FIG. 19, the herringbone stitching pattern shown is
relatively open, with
links 45A forming angles of 90 or greater, such that each link 45A in the
stitching pattern
extends a greater distance along axis A than along axis B. In one embodiment,
the links
45A may form angles of approximately 120 , approximately 110 -180 (straight
line), or
90 or greater with respect to each other. Other directional stitching
patterns may be
utilized, including other directional stitching patterns with links 45A that
are oriented and/or
sized differently. In one example, the engagement member 62 may have stitching
in the
form of a plurality of parallel or substantially parallel lines extending
generally in a single
direction. The directional stitching material 45 as shown in FIG. 19 permits
sliding in
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directions generally along the axis A, or in other words, along the directions
in which the
stitching pattern extends. The directional stitching material 45 as shown in
FIG. 19 resists
sliding in directions generally along the axis B, or in other words, across
the stitches and/or
transverse to the directions in which the stitching pattern extends.
[0084] One example of a stitched material usable as the directional stitching
material 45 is
a loop material (e.g. as used in a hook-and-loop connection), with a
directional stitching
pattern located on the reverse side of the loop material. This loop material
may be
connected to a component of the system 10 with the loop side facing inward and
the reverse
side facing outward to form the surface of the engagement member. The
directional
stitching material 45 may be formed of a different material in another
embodiment,
including, without limitation, a variety of different fabric materials. It is
understood that
such materials may include a directional stitching pattern. The directional
stitching material
45 may be connected to a component of the system 10 in a surface-to-surface,
confronting
relation to form a layered structure in one embodiment, such as by stitching,
adhesive, sonic
welding, heat welding and other techniques, including techniques familiar to
those skilled in
the art.
[0085] As used in some embodiments described herein, two pieces of a
directional
stitching material 45, such as shown in FIG. 19, can be used in engagement
with each other,
with the axes A and B of the stitching patterns of the two pieces in
alignment, to provide
increased resistance to sliding along the axis B. The two pieces of
directional stitching
material 45 may be the same type of material or different types of material in
various
embodiments, and may have the same or different stitching patterns. This
directional
stitching material 45 may also be used in connection with other directionally-
oriented
engagement members to achieve increased resistance to sliding in selected
directions. In
various uses, the directional stitching material 45 may have a directional
stitching pattern
that extends primarily in the lateral or width direction of the system 10
(i.e. between side
edges 23), or primarily in the longitudinal or length direction of the system
10 (i.e. between
the front edge 23 and rear edge 23).
[0086] Other materials having directionally oriented textures, patterns, etc.,
extending in a
specified direction may be usable in connection with the apparatus 10 as
engagement
members. For example, such a material may have a ridged or other textured
structure. The
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directionally oriented texture may have a shape and/or orientation that is
similar to one of
the embodiments of the directional stitching patterns described above. Such a
textured
structure may be created by various techniques, including weaving, texturing
(e.g. physical
deformation), or application of a substance such as by printing, deposition,
etc., among
other techniques. Such other materials may function in the same manner as the
directional
stitching material 45 discussed above.
[0087] Another type of engagement member that is usable in connection with the
system
is a directional glide material, such as a brushed fiber material or other
brushed fabric
material, which may have fibers that lie facing a specific direction. In
general, a directional
glide material resists gliding in a single direction and permits relatively
free gliding in the
opposite direction and along an axis perpendicular to the single direction of
resistance, such
that the resistance to gliding in the single direction is significantly higher
than any of these
three other directions identified. Additionally, a directional glide material
may have
structural characteristics to create this resistance and freedom for gliding
in specific
directions, such as structural elements that are directionally oriented. For
example, the
directional glide material may include projecting structures, e.g., ridges,
fibers, bristles, etc.,
that extend non-perpendicularly from the surface of a substrate, a majority or
substantial
entirety of which are oriented (e.g., angled, curved, etc.) in the same
general direction. One
embodiment of an engagement member made of a directional glide material may be
a
brushed nylon fiber material (e.g. lint brush material) with about 44-48 wales
per inch and
about 54-58 courses per inch in one embodiment. Another type of directional
glide material
may be used in other embodiments, including various ridged fabric and non-
fabric
materials, such as a flexible ratchet material as used in a zip-tie. The
directional glide
material may be connected to a component of the system 10 in a surface-to-
surface,
confronting relation to form a layered structure in one embodiment, such as by
stitching,
adhesive, sonic welding, heat welding and other techniques, including
techniques familiar to
those skilled in the art. This directional glide material can be used in
connection with a
directional stitching material 45 as shown in FIG. 19 to create a selective
gliding assembly
60 with a "one-way" glide arrangement. This can be done by engaging the
directional glide
material with the directional stitching material, with the single direction of
resistance of the
directional glide material being aligned with the axis along which the
stitching pattern
extends. This arrangement allows the engagement members to glide with the
grain of the
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directional glide material, while resisting gliding in other directions,
including the opposite
direction along the same axis as the gliding direction (i.e., along one of
directions A in FIG.
18 or 19).
[0088] As described herein with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the
system may
use selective gliding assemblies 60 to create directional gliding between the
wedges 50 and
the underside of the device 20 and/or between the wedges 50 and the bed 12.
These
selective gliding assemblies 60 may include one or more pieces of directional
stitching
material 45 and/or one or more pieces of directional glide material 49, as
illustrated
schematically in FIG. 18 and described in greater detail elsewhere herein. In
other
embodiments, selective gliding assemblies 60 may be used to create directional
gliding
between one or more of the above sets of components and/or between one or more
other
components of the system 10.
[0089] An example embodiment of the inflatable patient support device 20 is
shown in
greater detail in FIGS. 1-6. In general, the device 20 is flexible and
foldable when in the
non-inflated state (e.g., FIGS. 4-5), and has a top surface 21 and a bottom
surface 22
defined by a plurality of peripheral edges 23. The device 20 is configured to
be positioned
on the bed 12 so that the bottom surface 22 is above the supporting surface 16
of the bed 12
and faces or confronts the supporting surface 16, and is supported by the
supporting surface
16. As used herein, "above," "below," "over," and "under" do not imply direct
contact or
engagement. For example, the bottom surface 22 being above the supporting
surface 16
means that that the bottom surface 22 may be in contact with the supporting
surface 16, or
may face or confront the supporting surface 16 and/or be supported by the
supporting
surface 16 with one or more structures located between the bottom surface 22
and the
supporting surface 16, such as a bed sheet as described above. Likewise,
"facing" or
"confronting" does not imply direct contact or engagement, and may include one
or more
structures located between the surface and the structure it is confronting or
facing.
[0090] As seen in FIGS. 3-5, the device 20 in this embodiment is an irregular
hexagonal
shape, having a rectangular main body portion with three peripheral edges 23
and a
narrowed or tapering head portion 39 with three additional peripheral edges
23. The shape
of the device 20 may be different in other embodiments, including a
rectangular shape. The
device 20 generally includes an inflatable body 30 that includes an internal
cavity 31
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configured to be inflated with air or another gaseous substance. The
inflatable body 30 is
defined by at least a top sheet 26 forming a top wall of the cavity 31 and a
bottom sheet 27
forming a bottom wall of the cavity 31, with the top sheet 26 and the bottom
sheet 27
connected together to define the cavity 31 between them. In the embodiment
shown in
FIGS. 1-6 and 12-13, the top and bottom sheets 26, 27 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
other
embodiments, the top and bottom sheets 26, 27 may 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,
or the top and/or bottom sheets 26, 27 may be formed of multiple pieces. Both
the top and
bottom sheets 26, 27 may be formed of the same material in one embodiment,
although
these components may be formed of different materials in another embodiment.
It is
understood that either or both of the sheets 26, 27 may have a single layer or
multiple layers
that may be formed of the same or different materials.
[0091] Additionally, the sheet material(s) of the top and bottom sheets 26, 27
may have
properties that are desirable for a particular application. For example, the
sheets 26, 27 may
be breathable fabrics or other materials that have sufficient resistance to
air passage to retain
inflation of the inflatable body 30, while maintaining sufficient
breathability to allow
passage of heat and moisture vapor away from the patient, thereby enabling the
device 20 to
be left beneath a patient indefinitely. Such a device 20 may be used in a
complementary
manner with low air-loss beds, as mentioned above. The material(s) of the top
and bottom
sheets 26, 27 may also include specific frictional properties, as described
herein.
Additionally, the material of the top and bottom sheets 26, 27 may have
greater
permeability to water vapor (i.e., breathability) than its permeability to
liquid or air. For
example, the top and/or bottom sheets 26, 27 may be formed of a material that
is liquid
repellant and/or impermeable and may have little to no air permeability, while
being
permeable to moisture vapor. In one embodiment, the top and bottom sheets 26,
27 may be
formed of polyester and/or nylon (polyamide), for example, a coated nylon
taffeta material,
which can provide these properties. The coating on the sheets 26, 27 has a
higher
coefficient of friction than the sheet material itself, creating a
configuration with a high-
friction material 24 (the coating) on one surface and a low-friction material
25 (the sheet
material) on the opposite side, as described in greater detail elsewhere
herein.
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[0092] The inflatable body 30 of the device 20 may include one or more
inflation-limiting
members to create a specific inflated shape 20 for the device. In the
embodiment illustrated
in FIGS. 1-6 and 12-13, the inflatable body 30 has a plurality of gussets 32
connected to the
top sheet 26 and the bottom sheet 27 and extending across the cavity 31. The
gussets 32 in
one embodiment are U-shaped in cross-section, having a base 32A connected to
one of the
top and bottom sheets 26, 27, with two arms 32B extending across the cavity 31
between
the top and bottom sheets 26. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 and 12-13, the
device 20
includes U-shaped gussets 32 where the base 32A is connected to the bottom
sheet 27, and
each of the arms 32B is connected at opposite ends to the bottom sheet 27 and
the top sheet
26. The gussets 32 are elongated, such that the U-shaped cross-section is
extended in a
direction between the side edges 23 and generally parallel to the head and
foot edges 23 of
the device 20. In this configuration, the base 32A and the two arms 32B of
each gusset 32
are formed as generally planar sheet structures that are under tension when
the device 20 is
inflated, and the arms 32B form walls extending between the top and bottom
sheets 26, 27.
The gussets 32 may be connected to the sheets 26, 27 by stitching in one
embodiment, and
other connection techniques described herein may additionally or alternately
be used as
well. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 and 12-13, the gussets 32 are connected
along
connection lines 33 that extend in a direction between the side edges 23 and
generally
parallel to the head and foot edges 23 of the device 20. The connection lines
33 may be
formed by stitching, adhesive, welding, and/or other connection techniques or
combinations
of such techniques. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12-13, the ends 32C of
the arms
32B of the gussets 32 are hemmed and stitched to the top sheet 26 along the
connection
lines 33, and additional stitching is used to connect the base 32A to the
bottom sheet 27 to
form connection lines 33 on the bottom sheet 27. The gussets 32 limit
inflation of the
inflatable body 30, to give the device 20 a mattress-like shape when inflated.
The device 20
includes seven gussets 32 and fourteen total gusset arms 32B in the embodiment
illustrated
in FIGS. 1-6 and 12-13, but may include a different number of gussets 32 in
another
embodiment, such as to create a different inflated configuration or depending
on the size of
the device 20 and/or the width/spacing of the gussets 32. In other
embodiments, the device
20 may include a different configuration of gussets 32, or the device 20 may
include a
different type of inflation-limiting structure, such as threads, wires, narrow
strips of
material, etc., that connect the top and bottom sheets 26, 27 to limit
inflation. For example,
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in one embodiment (as shown in FIG. 25), the gussets 32 may include only a
single arm
32B and no base 32A
[0093] The fully inflated device 20 has a shape that is defined by the
configuration of the
edges 23 of the device 20 and the size, shape, and configurations of the
gussets 32, among
other factors. In one embodiment, the top surface 21 of the device 20 has a
peripheral
cushion 34 around at least some of the edges 23 of the device 20 and a central
area 35 at
least partially surrounded by the peripheral cushion 34. For example, in the
embodiment as
shown in FIG. 2, the peripheral cushion 34 extends along all edges 23 of the
device 20, so
that the central area 35 is surrounded on all sides by the peripheral cushion
34. In another
embodiment, the peripheral cushion 34 may extend only on the left and right
side edges 23
of the device 20, so that the cushion 34 borders the left and right sides of
the central area 35.
The peripheral cushion 34 is raised with respect to at least a portion of the
central area 35 in
the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, to resist sliding or rolling of the patient
70 off of the
device 20 when the device is inflated. The central area 35 also includes
swells 36 extending
between the stitching lines 33 of the gussets 32. The bottom surface 22 of the
device 20
may have a similar structure when inflated, with a peripheral cushion 34
bordering a central
area 35 with swells 36, where at least a portion of the central area 35 is
recessed with
respect to the cushion 34. It is understood that the inflated device 20 may
have a different
shape when under force, e.g., when a patient 70 is positioned on top of and
compressing the
device 20.
[0094] The device 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 and 12-13 includes a
plurality of passages
37 in the bottom sheet 27 that permit air to pass from the cavity 31 to the
exterior of the
device 20. The passages 37 extend from the cavity 31 through the bottom sheet
27 to the
exterior of the device 20 on the bottom surface 22. Air passing through the
passages 37 is
forced between the bottom surface 22 of the device 20 and the surface upon
which the
device 20 sits (e.g., the supporting surface 16 of the bed 12), reducing
friction between the
bottom surface 22 and the supporting surface. Passage of air through the
passages 37 is
illustrated in FIG. 13. This permits easier movement of the device 20 when a
patient 70 is
positioned on the device 20, as described in greater detail elsewhere herein.
The passages
37 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 and 12-13 are located within the central
area 35 on the
bottom surface 22, between the stitching lines 33 of the gussets 32.
Additionally, in one
embodiment, some or all of the passages 37 are located immediately below the
bases 32A of
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one or more of the gussets 32. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 and 12-13, all
but one of the
gussets 32 have passages 37 beneath their bases 32A, and all of the passages
37 are located
beneath one of the gussets 32. In other embodiments, all of the gussets 32 may
have
passages 37 beneath their bases 32A, or at least a majority of the gussets 32
may have
passages beneath their bases 32A. In a further embodiment, at least some (or
all) of the
passages 37 may be located between the gussets 32. In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 12-
13, the gussets 32 (or at least the bases 32A thereof) are made from an air-
permeable
material, such that air passes through the bases 32A of the gussets 32 and
downward
through the passage(s) 37. The gusset bases 32A in this configuration can
function to limit
the air flow through the passages 37 to maintain a desired level of inflation
of the device 20,
as well as to diffuse the air flowing out of the passages 37 to improve the
friction-reducing
properties created by the air escaping through the passages 37. As used
herein, an "air-
permeable material" is a material that permits air to pass through, without
the necessity for
manually forming holes, passages, perforations, slits, openings, etc., in the
material, such as
by mechanical and/or laser cutting methods.
[0095] In other embodiments, the gussets 32 may be made from a material with
limited or
no air permeability. In such embodiments, air can pass through the passages 37
by passing
around the lateral ends of the gussets 32 and/or through perforations that
have been formed
in the gusset bases 32A, or the gussets 32 may not include a base 32A, as
shown in FIG. 25.
The embodiment in FIG. 25 includes gussets 32 that are formed as arms 32B
connected to
the top and bottom sheets 26, 27, without any base 32A covering the passage
37. The
device 20 in FIG. 25 has a piece 47 of an air-permeable material that is
separate from the
gussets 32 to cover the passage 37, in order to achieve the airflow limiting
and diffusion
functions described above. The separate piece 47 of the air-permeable material
in FIG. 25
is shown as covering a single passage 37, however in other embodiments, one
piece 47 of
the air-permeable material may cover multiple passages 37, and the device 20
may include a
single piece 47 of the air-permeable material that covers some or all of the
passages 37 in
one embodiment. It is understood that in various embodiments, some or all of
the passages
37 generally have some form of air-permeable material covering in order to
limit and
diffuse airflow through the passage 37, which may include portions of gussets
32, separate
pieces 47 of air-permeable material, other structures, and/or combinations of
such
structures. The embodiment in FIGS. 1-13 has air-permeable material covering
the passage
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37 on both the inner and outer surfaces of the bottom sheet 27, but the device
20 may
include air-permeable material on only the inner or outer surface of the
bottom sheet 27 in
another embodiment.
[0096] As described herein, some embodiments include at least one piece of an
air-
permeable material covering some or all of the passages 37, such as the
embodiments of
FIGS. 1-13, FIGS. 20-24, and FIG. 26, where the air-permeable gussets 32 cover
some or
all of the passages 37, and the embodiment of FIG. 25, where a separate piece
47 of air-
permeable material covers some or all of the passages 37. The permeability of
such air-
permeable materials can limit or govern the rate of airflow through each
passage 37. In one
embodiment, the permeability of the air-permeable material covering the
passage(s) 37 is
configured so that airflow through the passages 37 is sufficiently restricted
to keep the
device 20 inflated, while also being sufficiently large to permit an effective
amount of air to
pass through the passage(s) 37 to provide friction reduction between the
device 20 and the
supporting surface 16. When an air-permeable fabric is used in this structure,
the
"tightness" of the warp or weave of the material and the resultant sizes of
the interstices
between the fabric threads influence the permeability of the fabric. Thus, in
one
embodiment, an air-permeable fabric material may be used that has a suitable
average
interstice size to provide the desired level of permeability and airflow. A
rip-stop nylon
fabric material is one example of an air-permeable material that can be used
for the gussets
32 and/or other pieces 47 covering the passages 37.
[0097] The overall permeability of the materials covering each passage 37
(including the
gusset 32, the separate piece 47 of air-permeable material, and/or the cover
38, depending
on configuration) permits an overall airflow rate of about 36-46 CFM (cubic
feet per
minute) through the passage 37 in one embodiment, or an overall airflow rate
of 39-43 CFM
in another embodiment, e.g., an airflow rate of about 41 CFM. In one
embodiment, this
overall airflow rate may result from a combination of a gusset 32 or piece 47
of air-
permeable material and a cover 38 as described herein. In such an embodiment,
the gusset
32 or piece 47 of air-permeable material may have a lower permeability than
the cover 38,
as described herein, such as a permeability of 39-47 CFM, a permeability of 41-
45 CFM, or
a permeability of about 43 CFM, in various examples. The higher-permeability
cover 38
may have a permeability of 300-500 CFM, or 350-440 CFM, or about 390 CFM, in
various
examples. It is understood that these airflow rates are calculated free of
extrinsic
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restrictions, e.g., the bottom surface 22 of the device 20 being placed
against a supporting
surface 16 in use may affect the actual airflow rates through the passages 37
in use, which is
not reflected in the reported figures.
[0098] As described herein, in one embodiment, some form of air-permeable
material
covers all of the passages 37 and limits the airflow through each passage 37,
so that the
airflow rate through each of the passages 37 is restricted. It is understood
that in such an
embodiment, the size of the passage 37 may affect the overall airflow rate
through each
passage 37, such as in the embodiment of FIGS. 20-24, which includes passages
37 of
different sizes. All of the passages 37 in this configuration may be covered
with the same
air-permeable material, or different air-permeable materials with similar
permeabilities, in
one embodiment. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 12-13 and 23-26, at least some
of the
passages 37 may be covered by multiple pieces of air-permeable material, e.g.,
the gusset 32
and the cover 38 in FIGS. 12-13, 23-24, and 26, and the piece 47 and the cover
38 in FIG.
25. In such a configuration, the two different pieces of air-permeable
material covering
each passage 37 may have different permeabilities, such that the material with
the lower
permeability governs the airflow rate through the passage 37. In other words,
a passage 37
may be covered by two pieces of air-permeable material, where the first piece
has a lower
permeability value than the second piece and permits a lower airflow rate than
the second
piece. In the embodiments of FIGS. 12-13 and 23-26, the permeability of the
material on
the inner surface of the bottom sheet 27, i.e., the gussets 32 and the pieces
47, is lower than
the permeability of the material on the bottom surface 22, i.e., the covers
38. Thus, the
permeability of the gussets 32 and the pieces 47 in these embodiments govern
the airflow
rate through the passages 37. In another embodiment, the device 20 may have an
air-
permeable piece connected to the bottom surface 22 that functions to limit the
airflow
through the passage 37, optionally with a second, higher-permeability piece
also connected
to the bottom sheet 27, either on the inner surface of the bottom sheet 27 or
on the bottom
surface 22 above or below the first piece of air-permeable material. Further,
it is understood
that the permeability of any materials covering the passages 37 may be greater
than the
overall permeability of the materials defining the cavity 31, e.g., the top
and bottom sheets
26, 27 in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-26.
[0099] The passages 37 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 and 12-13 are arranged
in
laterally-extending rows and are all circular in shape, varying in size. As
seen in FIGS. 4-5,
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the passages 37 nearest the head and foot edges 23 of the device 20 are
smaller than the
passages 37 closer to the middle of the device 20, with the larger passages 37
being
arranged into three lateral rows of three passages 37 and one lateral row of
two passages 37.
The device 20 may have other configurations of passages 37 in other
embodiments,
including different shapes, sizes, numbers, and/or arrangements of passages
37. For
example, FIGS. 14-17 illustrate potential alternate configurations of passages
37 in the
device 20. FIG. 17 illustrates a configuration with a combination of circular
passages 37 as
in FIGS. 1-6 and diamond-shaped passages 37 that are elongated in the lateral
(side-to-side)
direction. The device 20 in FIG. 17 has two large diamond passages 37, and two
additional
diamond passages 37 that are progressively smaller toward the foot edge 23 of
the device
20. FIG. 15 illustrates a configuration with lateral rows of circular passages
37 that have
different sizes, with a smaller passage 37 in the center and larger passages
37 on each side
of the smaller passage 37. FIG. 16 illustrates a configuration with lateral
rows of circular
passages 37 that have different sizes, with the largest passage in the center
and additional
passages 37 on both sides of the largest passage 37, growing progressively
smaller toward
the side edges 23. FIG. 14 illustrates a configuration similar to that of
FIGS. 1-6, but with
passages 37 that are smaller in size and fewer in number. It is noted that the
sizes and
arrangement of the passages 37 may place passages 37 occupying a greater
aggregate
surface area in the areas designed to be positioned beneath the upper body and
torso of the
patient 70, as these areas will typically support greater weight and can
benefit from an
increased volume of air forming the air cushion in those areas. Still further
configurations
are possible.
[0100] In one embodiment, the device 20 may further include covers 38 that
cover at least
some of the passages 37, where the covers 38 are air-permeable and permit air
to flow
through them to form the air cushion beneath the device 20. The covers 38 may
be
connected to the bottom surface 22 of the device 20 by stitching the cover 38
to the bottom
sheet 27 around the perimeter of each cover 38 in one embodiment. Other
connection
techniques may be used in other embodiments, including any technique(s)
described herein.
The covers 38 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 are rectangular in shape, but may
have a
different shape in other embodiments. Additionally, in the embodiment of FIGS.
1-6 and
12-13, each cover 38 covers all of the passages 37 in a lateral row, and each
cover 38 is
positioned beneath a single gusset 32 and is aligned with said gusset 32, but
not all passages
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37 are covered by a cover 38. In other embodiments, the size, arrangement, and
number of
the covers 38 may be different. For example, in one embodiment, a cover 38 may
cover
multiple passages 37 that are spaced from each other in the head-toe direction
on the device
20, and in another embodiment, the device 20 may have a single cover 38 or a
pair of covers
38 covering some or all of the passages 37. As described herein, some or all
of the covers
38 may be formed of a directional stitching material 45, which is configured
to interact with
contacting surfaces of the wedge(s) 50A-B and/or the bed 12 to limit sliding
of the device
20 in one or more directions. The covers 38 may therefore extend sufficiently
close to both
of the side edges 23 of the device 20 that they will engage the ramp
surface(s) 52 of the
wedge(s) 50A-B in use. The covers 38 may be positioned beneath the upper body,
torso,
sacral area, and thigh areas of the patient 70, to ensure contact with the
wedge(s) 50A-B.
The covers 38 may further limit ingress of dust, dirt, debris, etc., into the
passages 37, and
the covers 38 can also function to limit the air flow through the passages 37
and diffuse the
air flowing out of the passages 37, as similarly discussed above with respect
to the gussets
32. The use of two different materials covering the passages 37 in this
embodiment may
enhance this functionality. It is understood that the devices 20 in FIGS. 14-
17 may include
covers 38 that are similar to the covers 38 in FIGS. 1-6 and 12-13 discussed
herein.
[0101] In other embodiments, the covers 38 may be formed from a different
material, such
as a different type of fabric material that may or may not have directional
friction
properties. For example, in one embodiment, the device 20 may utilize covers
38 covering
one or more of the passages 37 that are not made of a material with
directional friction
properties, and the device 20 may have separate pieces of the directional
stitching material
45 positioned elsewhere on the bottom surface 22. In a further embodiment, the
device 20
may not utilize any covers 38, and the device 20 may further have pieces of
the directional
stitching material 45 positioned elsewhere on the bottom surface 22.
[0102] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the top surface 21 of the
device 20 has
at least a portion formed of a high-friction or gripping material 24, and the
bottom surface
22 has at least a portion formed of a low-friction material 25. In one
embodiment, both the
top and bottom sheets 26, 27 are made from the low-friction material 25, such
as by using a
low-friction sheet material, and the high-friction material 24 may be
connected to at least
the top sheet 26. For example, the high-friction material 24 may be or include
a coating
applied to the inflatable body 30, such as a spray coating. In the embodiment
of FIGS. 1-6,
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both the top and bottom sheets 26, 27 include the coating of the high friction
material 24,
with the coating on the top sheet 26 facing outward to form part of the top
surface 21 of the
device 20 and the coating on the bottom sheet 27 facing inwardly to form a
surface of the
cavity 31. This coating may be a polyurethane coating that is waterproof
and/or breathable
in one embodiment. This inward-facing high-friction coating 24 on the bottom
sheet 27 can
resist slipping of the top and bottom sheets 26, 27 with respect to each
other. In another
embodiment, only the top sheet 26 has the coating of the high-friction
material 24. In
another embodiment, the high-friction material 24 may be in the form of one or
more pieces
of high-friction sheet material connected to the top surface 21 of the
inflatable body 30 in a
surface-to-surface, confronting relation to form a layered structure, in
various embodiments.
For example, the high friction material 24 may be a knitted material, which
can enhance
comfort, and may be made of polyester and/or another suitable material. The
material 24
can then be treated with a high friction substance, such as a hot melt
adhesive or appropriate
plastic, which can be applied as a discontinuous coating to promote
breathability. In a
further embodiment, the portion of the inflatable body 30 forming the top
surface 21 (e.g.,
top sheet 26) may be formed of the high-friction material 24, while the
portion of the
inflatable body 30 forming the bottom surface 22 (e.g., bottom sheet 27) may
be formed of
the low-friction material 25. It is noted that the high-friction material 24
may form or cover
the entire top surface 21 of the device 20 in one embodiment, or may only form
or cover a
portion of the top surface 21 in another embodiment, e.g., the low-friction
material 25 may
form a portion of the top surface 21, with the edges of the high-friction
material 24 being
recessed from the edges 23 of the device 20. Similarly, the low-friction
material 25 may
form at least a portion of the bottom surface 22 of the device 20.
[0103] As described in greater detail below, the low-friction material 25
permits sliding of
the device 20 in contact with the supporting surface 16 of the bed 12, which
may include a
fitted bed sheet 15 or other sheet, and the high-friction material 24 provides
increased
resistance to slipping or sliding of the patient and/or the body pad 40 on
which the patient
may be lying, in contact with the device 20. The low-friction material 25 may
also have rip-
stop properties, and may have suitable structural strength and stability to
form the primary
structural component of the device 20. The high-friction and/or low-friction
materials 24,
25 can also be treated with a water repellant, such as polytetrafluoroethylene
(PTFE). In
other embodiments, the high-friction and/or low-friction materials 24, 25 may
include any
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combination of these components, and may contain other components in addition
to or
instead of these components.
[0104] Generally, the high friction material 24 has a coefficient of friction
that is higher
than the coefficient of friction of the low friction material 25. In one
embodiment, the
coefficient of friction for the high friction material 24 is about 8-10 times
higher than the
coefficient of friction of the low friction material 25. In another
embodiment, the
coefficient of friction for the high friction material 24 is between 5 and 10
times higher, or
at least 5 times higher, than the coefficient of friction of the low friction
material 25. The
coefficient of friction, as defined herein, can be measured as a direct
proportion to the pull
force necessary to move either of the materials 24, 25 in surface-to-surface
contact with the
same third material, with the same normal force loading. Thus, in the
embodiments above,
if the pull force for the high friction material 24 is about 8-10 times
greater than the pull
force for the low friction material 25, with the same contact material and
normal loading,
the coefficients of friction will also be 8-10 times different. It is
understood that the
coefficient of friction may vary by the direction of the pull force, and that
the coefficient of
friction measured may be measured in a single direction. For example, in one
embodiment,
the above differentials in the coefficients of friction of the high friction
material 24 and the
low friction material 25 may be measured as the coefficient of friction of the
low friction
material 25 based on a pull force normal to the side edges 23 (i.e. proximate
the handles 28)
and the coefficient of friction of the high friction material 24 based on a
pull force normal to
the top and bottom edges 23 (i.e. parallel to the side edges 23).
[0105] Additionally, the coefficient of friction of the interface between the
high-friction
material 24 and the body pad 40 is greater than the coefficient of friction of
the interface
between the low friction material 25 and the bed sheet or supporting surface
16. It is
understood that the coefficients of friction for the interfaces may also be
measured in a
directional orientation, as described above. In one embodiment, the
coefficient of friction
for the interface of the high friction material 24 is about 8-10 times higher
than the
coefficient of friction of the interface of the low friction material 25. In
another
embodiment, the coefficient of friction for the interface of the high friction
material 24 is
between 5 and 10 times higher, or at least 5 times higher, than the
coefficient of friction of
the interface of the low friction material 25. It is understood that the
coefficient of friction
for the interface could be modified to at least some degree by modifying
factors other than
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the device 20. For example, a high-friction material (e.g., substance or
surface treatment)
may be applied to the bottom surface 44 of the pad 40, to increase the
coefficient of friction
of the interface, which may be done in addition to, or in place of, using the
high-friction
material 24 on the device 20. An example of a calculation of the coefficients
of friction for
these interfaces is described in greater detail in U.S. Patent Application
Publication No.
2012/0186012, published July 26, 2012, which is incorporated by reference
herein in its
entirety and made part hereof, which calculation is made using a rip-stop
nylon material as
the low friction material 25 and a knitted material treated with a hot melt
adhesive as the
high friction material 24. The relative coefficients of friction of the high
friction material
24 and the low friction material 25 used in the example calculation are also
described in the
aforementioned publication.
[0106] In an alternate embodiment, the device 20 may not utilize a high
friction surface,
and instead may utilize a releasable connection to secure the pad 40 in place
with respect to
the device 20. For example, the device 20 and pad 40 may include complementary
connections, such as hook-and-loop connectors, buttons, snaps, or other
connectors. In a
further embodiment, the device 20 may be used without a pad 40, with the
patient 70
directly in contact with the top surface 21 of the sheet, and the high-
friction material 24 can
still resist sliding of the patient on the device 20.
[0107] In one embodiment, the device 20 further has a directional stitching
material 45
connected to the bottom surface 22, which may be in the form of one or more
additional
pieces of sheet material that is formed partially or entirely of the
directional stitching
material 45. Additionally, the one or more additional pieces of the
directional stitching
material 45 may form at least a portion of the bottom surface 22 of the device
20, with the
edges of each piece being recessed from the edges 23 of the device 20, and
with the pieces
of the directional stitching material 45 being spaced from each other. In the
embodiment of
FIGS. 1-6, the device 20 has the covers 38 formed of the directional stitching
material 45,
and the material of the covers 38 allows airflow through while also providing
directional
friction properties as discussed herein. The covers 38 may be connected to the
device 20 by
stitching in one embodiment, but may have additional or alternate connections
in other
embodiments, including any connections described herein. In another
embodiment, the
device 20 may have separate pieces of directional stitching material 45 on the
bottom
surface 22, and the covers 38 may be made of a different type of material, or
may be absent.
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[0108] The directional stitching material 45 on the bottom surface 22 of the
device 20,
e.g., the covers 38 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, forms engagement members
61 of a
selective gliding assembly 60 (which may be referred to as "sheet engagement
members"),
to permit movement of the device 20 in desired directions and resist movement
of the
device 20 in undesired directions. It is understood that in another
embodiment, the device
20 may have one or more such engagement members 61 on the bottom surface 22
that are
not configured as covers 38 for the passages 37, and such an embodiment may
additionally
have covers 38 that may or may not be formed of a directional glide material
45, or such an
embodiment may have no covers 38. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the axis B
(along
which gliding is resisted) is oriented to extend between the top and bottom
edges 23 and
parallel to the side edges 23, and the axis A (along which gliding is allowed)
is oriented to
extend between the side edges 23 and parallel to the top and bottom edges 23,
as shown in
FIGS. 18-19. When the wedge(s) 50A-B are inserted in position as shown in FIG.
6, then
relative to the wedge(s) 50A-B, the axis B is oriented to extend parallel to
at least one of the
front end 57 (or the apex 55) and the back wall 53 of the wedge and/or between
the side
walls 54, and the axis A is oriented to extend between the front end 57 and
the back wall 53
of the wedge and/or parallel to the side walls 54. This arrangement is
illustrated
schematically in FIG. 18. In a further embodiment, one or more of the
engagement
members 61 may be formed of a different directionally-oriented material,
and/or may be
oriented to allow/resist gliding in different directions. For example, if the
orientations of
the engagement members 61 as depicted in FIG. 18 are turned 90 , then movement
in a
direction extending between the side edges 23 and parallel to the top and
bottom edges 23
would be resisted, and movement in a direction extending between the top and
bottom edges
23 and parallel to the side edges 23 would be allowed.
[0109] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the device 20 may also
include one
or more handles 28, 48 to facilitate pulling and other movement of the device
20. Such
handles 28, 48 may be configured for multiple different types of movement,
including
"boosting" the patient 70 on the bed 12 (i.e., moving the patient 70 toward
the head 13),
positioning the patient 70 on the bed 12, pulling the patient 70 up onto the
wedges 50A-B,
moving the patient 70 from one bed 12 or other surface to another, etc. As
shown in FIGS.
1-6, the device 20 has handles 28 formed by strips 29A-B of a strong material
that are
connected (e.g., stitched) in periodic fashion to the bottom surface 22 at or
around both side
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edges 23 of the device 20, as well as the top edge 23 of the device. The non-
connected
portions can be separated slightly from the device 20 to allow a user's hands
76 to slip
underneath, and thereby form the handles 28. The handles 28 formed by the
strips 29A on
the side edges 23 of the device 20 are useful for pulling the device 20
laterally, to move the
patient 70 laterally on the bed 12. The device 20 also includes handles 48 in
the form of
flaps that are connected (e.g., stitched) to the bottom surface 22 of the
device 20 and extend
outwardly from the device 20. The handles 48 extend generally outward from the
side
edges 23 of the device 20, and in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the device 20
has two
handles 48 on each side. The handles 48 may also include strips 29A of the
same material
as the handles 28, to provide a point for gripping. In other embodiments, a
larger or smaller
number of handles 48 may be used. The handles 28, 48 may be useful for moving
the
device 20 and the patient 70 in many different ways, including pulling the
device 20
laterally, turning the patient 70, and/or pulling the device 20 toward the
head 13 of the bed
12 to "boost" the patient 70 and device 20 if they begin to slide toward the
foot 17 of the
bed 12, which may tend to happen especially when the patient 70 is inclined.
In particular,
the handles 48 extending from the sides 23 of the device 20 are constructed to
facilitate
rolling of the patient 70, and the wide base of the handles 48 spreads the
force exerted on
the device 20 over a larger area, which puts less pressure on the patient 70
during rolling.
In other embodiments, the device 20 may include a different number or
configuration of the
handles 28, 48 as described above. Further, the handles 28, 48 may be
connected to the
device 20 in a different way, such as by heat welding, sonic welding,
adhesive, etc. Other
types of handles may be utilized in further embodiments.
[0110] The device 20 may be inflated by connection to an air output 81 as
illustrated in
FIGS. 1-6 and 9-11. The device 20 may include one or more inflation ports 80
for
connection to the air output 81. It is understood that a device 20 with
multiple ports 80 may
include ports 80 on one or more different edges 23 of the device 20, and that
the port(s) 80
may be along any edge 23 of the device 20. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 and
9-11, the
device 20 includes two inflation ports 80, each located along one of the side
edges 23 of the
device 20, proximate the foot edge 23. Generally, only one of the inflation
ports 80 is used
at a time, and the dual ports 80 provide for use in diverse arrangements,
although both ports
80 could be used simultaneously. In one embodiment, each of the ports 80
includes an
opening 82 configured to receive a portion of the air output 81 and a
retaining mechanism
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83 configured to retain the portion of the air output 81 within the opening
82. The retaining
mechanism 83 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 and 9-11 is a strap that wraps
around the
opening 82 and fastens to itself by a hook-and-loop fastener, as illustrated
in FIGS. 9-11.
Other fasteners could be used, such as snaps, buttons, ties, etc. The air
output 81 illustrated
in FIGS. 1-6 and 9-11 is a hose that may be connected to a pump 90 (see FIGS.
27-29) that
pumps air through the air output 81. As shown in FIGS. 1-6 and 9-11, the air
output 81
(hose) is received within the opening 82, and the retaining mechanism 83
(strap) is fastened
to secure the air output 81 in place.
[0111] The device 20 may also have a valve 84 in communication with the port
80, as
illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 and 9. The valve 84 in this embodiment is formed by a
pocket 85
that is positioned within the cavity 31 and has an entrance opening 86 in
communication
with the opening 82 of the port 80 and at least one exit opening 87 in
communication with
the cavity 31. The pocket 85 may be formed by one or more sheets 88 of
flexible material
that are folded and/or connected together to define the pocket 85 in the
desired shape.
Additionally, the pocket 85 may be connected to the inner surfaces of the
cavity 31 by
stitching or another technique described herein. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3-
5 and 9, the
pocket 85 is stitched to the inside of the device 20 only around the port 80,
and the rest of
the pocket 85 is free within the cavity 31. The exit opening(s) 87 may be
spaced from the
entrance opening 86 so that air must flow through the pocket 85 to reach the
cavity 31. In
this configuration, airflow through the port 80 passes through the valve 84 by
flowing from
the port 80 through the entrance opening 86, then through the pocket 85 and
out through the
exit opening 87 into the cavity 31. The pocket 85 in the embodiment of FIGS. 3-
5 and 9
has two branches 89 extending away from each other, e.g., to form an L-shape,
and the exit
openings 87 are located near the ends of the branches 89 to space them from
the entrance
opening and from each other 86. The valve 84 may perform multiple functions.
For
example, the pocket 85 may compress when there is no inward airflow through
the entrance
opening 86, thus resisting or preventing reverse airflow through the valve 84
and the port 80
when the port 80 is not being used for inflation (i.e., when another port 80
is being used).
As another example, the valve 84 reduces noise and dispersion of the air
during inflation.
As a further example, the pocket 85 may also protect the air output 81 from
contact with
dirt, dust, debris, and other matter that may be present within the cavity 31.
As yet another
example, the positioning of the exit openings 87 in the embodiment illustrated
in FIGS. 3-5
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and 9 makes it difficult or impossible for the patient's leg to rest on top of
both of the exit
openings 87 of a single valve 84, which could impede air flow through the
valve 84. In
other embodiments, the valve 84 may be differently configured, such as by
having a
different shape, a greater or smaller number of exit openings 87, etc. It is
understood that
the valve 84 and other inflation components of the system 10 are described for
use with air,
but may be used with any suitable gas. Accordingly, terms such as "air" and
"airflow" as
used herein may refer to any suitable gas.
[0112] One embodiment of the pump 90 is shown in FIG. 29. The pump 90 in this
embodiment has a hose (not shown) that functions as the air output 81, as
described above.
Additionally, the pump 90 has an attachment mechanism 91 that is configured to
releasably
attach the pump 90 to a structure 92, such as a railing of the bed 12. The use
of the
attachment mechanism 91 may prevent the pump 90 from moving around during use
and
potentially dislodging the air output 81 from the port 80 and may keep the
pump 90 out of
the way of caregivers who may try to maneuver around the bed 12 to deliver
care to the
patient 70. In the embodiment of FIG. 29, the attachment mechanism 91 is a T-
shaped bar
that is connected to the pump by a hinge 93 and has two arms 94 with hooks 95
at the ends
thereof. These hooks 95 allow either arm to be connected to a structure 92 to
hang the
pump 90 from the structure 92, as shown in FIG. 29. In other embodiments, the
pump 90
may include a differently configured attachment mechanism 91.
[0113] Another embodiment of the pump 90 is shown in FIGS. 27-28. In this
embodiment, the pump 90 is configured for sitting on the floor or other
surface in multiple
different configurations. The pump 90 in FIGS. 27-28 includes wheels 96 for
mobility, and
the wheels 96 are placed along the longest dimension of the pump 90, such that
the pump 90
is configured to sit in a low-profile configuration when sitting on the wheels
96. This low-
profile configuration may permit the pump 90 to sit under the bed 12 and out
of the way
when not in use. The pump 90 also includes a standing base 97 configured to
support the
pump 90 in a standing configuration so that the wheels 96 do not contact the
ground and the
pump 90 does not move freely. The base 97 may also be configured to provide a
structure
for the power cord 98 to wrap around, as shown in FIGS. 27-28. The pump 90 may
further
include a strap 99 for holding the air output hose 81 when not in use and/or
to function as an
attachment mechanism 91 for attachment to a structure 92, such as the bed 12.
In another
embodiment, the pump 90 may include a clip or other form of attachment (not
shown) that
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can be used to hold the air output hose 81 in place This clip or attachment
may be magnetic,
so as to hold the air output hose 81 in place by attraction to a metal wire or
other metallic
material used in the air output hose 81. It is understood that in other
embodiments, the
pump 90 may include a combination of features of the embodiment in FIG. 29 and
the
embodiment in FIGS. 27-28, or may include additional features. For example, in
other
embodiments, the pump 90 of FIGS. 27-28 may include an attachment mechanism
91, such
as a carabiner clip (not shown) or an attachment mechanism 91 configured as in
the
embodiment of FIG. 29, or the pump 90 of FIG. 29 may include wheels 96 or a
standing
base 97 as in the embodiment of FIGS. 27-28. As another example, the pump 90
may
include one or more switches (not shown) for powering the pump 90 on/off and
potentially
other controls as well. Such a switch or switches may include one or more hard-
wired
switches and/or remote switches (e.g., an RF switch).
[0114] The body pad 40 is typically made from a different material than the
device 20 and
contains an absorbent material, along with possibly other materials as well.
The pad 40
provides a resting surface for the patient, and can absorb fluids that may be
generated by the
patient. The pad 40 may also be a low-lint pad, for less risk of wound
contamination, and is
typically disposable and replaceable, such as when soiled. The top and bottom
surfaces 42,
44 may have the same or different coefficients of friction. Additionally, the
pad 40
illustrated in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-2 is approximately the same width
and slightly
shorter in length as the device 20, and both the device 20 and the pad 40 are
approximately
the same width as the bed 12 so that the edges 23 of the device 20 and the
edges of the pad
40 are proximate the side edges of the bed 12, but may be a different size in
other
embodiments.
[0115] In one embodiment, the pad 40 may form an effective barrier to fluid
passage on
one side (e.g., the underside 44), in order to prevent the device 20 from
being soiled, and
may also be breathable, in order to permit flow of air, heat, and moisture
vapor away from
the patient and lessen the risk of pressure ulcers (bed sores). The device 20
(or at least the
top sheet 26 thereof) may also be breathable to perform the same function, as
described
above. A breathable device 20 used in conjunction with a breathable pad 40 can
also
benefit from use with a LAL bed 12, to allow air, heat, and moisture vapor to
flow away
from the patient more effectively, and to enable creation of an optimal
microclimate around
the patient. The pad 40 may have differently configured top and bottom
surfaces 42, 44,
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with the top surface 42 being configured for contact with the patient and the
bottom surface
44 being configured for contact with the device 20.
[0116] The system 10 may include one or more wedges 50A-B that can be
positioned
under the device 20 to provide a ramp and support to slide and position the
patient slightly
on his/her side, as described below. FIGS. 2 and 6-8A illustrate example
embodiments of
wedges 50A-B that can be used in conjunction with the system 10. The wedge 50A-
B has a
body 56 that can be triangular in shape, having a base wall or base surface
51, a ramp
surface 52 that is positioned at an oblique angle to the base wall 51, a back
wall 53, and side
walls 54. In this embodiment, the base wall 51 and the ramp surface 52 meet at
an oblique
angle to form an apex 55 at the front end 57 of the wedge 50A-B, and the back
wall 53 is
positioned opposite the front end 57 and the apex 55 and approximately
perpendicular to the
ramp surface 52. The apex 55 may be the smallest angle of any of the corners
of the wedge
50A-B, in one embodiment. It is understood that the term "apex" does not
necessarily
imply that the surfaces (e.g., the base wall 51 and the ramp surface 52)
directly join to form
a point or an angular edge, and that the "apex" as described herein may be an
identifiable
surface (e.g., rounded, beveled, flattened, etc.). FIGS. 8B and 8C illustrate
example
embodiments of wedges 50A-B that have an apex 55 that is flattened or beveled
(FIG. 8B)
or significantly rounded (FIG. 8C). The side walls 54 in this embodiment are
triangular in
shape and join at approximately perpendicular angles to the base wall 51, the
ramp surface
52, and the back wall 53. In this embodiment, the surfaces 51, 52, 53, 54 of
the wedge body
56 are all approximately planar when not subjected to stress, but in other
embodiments, one
or more of the surfaces 51, 52, 53, 54 may be curved or rounded. FIG. 8D
illustrates an
example embodiment of a wedge 50A-B where the ramp surface 52 has a curved
contour.
Any of the edges between the surfaces 51, 52, 53, 54 of the wedge body 56 may
likewise be
curved or rounded, including at the apex 55.
[0117] The wedge body 56 in this embodiment is at least somewhat compressible
or
deformable, in order to provide greater patient comfort and ease of use. Any
appropriate
compressible material may be used for the wedge body 56, including various
polymer foam
materials, such as a polyethylene and/or polyether foam. A particular
compressible material
may be selected for its specific firmness and/or compressibility, and in one
embodiment, the
wedge body 56 is made of a foam that has relatively uniform compressibility.
In another
embodiment, the wedge body 56 may be made partially or completely from a
different
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material, including substantially non-compressible materials. For example, the
wedge body
56 may be made entirely from a substantially non-compressible material, or the
wedge body
56 may have a substantially non-compressible core with a shell of a
compressible material
around the core, in various embodiments.
[0118] The wedge 50A-B is configured to be positioned under the device 20 and
the
patient, to position the patient at an angle, as described in greater detail
below. In this
position, the base wall 51 of the wedge 50A-B faces downward and engages or
confronts
the supporting surface 16 of the bed 12, and the ramp surface 52 faces toward
the device 20
and the patient and partially supports at least a portion of the weight of the
patient. The
angle of the apex 55 between the base wall 51 and the ramp surface 52
influences the angle
at which the patient is positioned when the wedge 50A-B is used. In one
embodiment, the
angle between the base wall 51 and the ramp surface 52 may be up to 45 , or
between 15
and 35 in another embodiment, or about 30 in a further embodiment, as shown
in FIG.
8A. Positioning a patient at an angle of approximately 30 is currently
clinically
recommended, and thus, a wedge 50A-B having an angle of approximately 30 may
be the
most effective for use in positioning most immobile patients. If clinical
recommendations
change, then a wedge 50A-B having a different angle may be considered to be
the most
effective. The wedge 50A-B may be constructed with a different angle as
desired in other
embodiments. It is understood that the device 20 may be usable without the
wedges 50A-B,
or with another type of wedge, including any commercially available wedges, or
with
pillows in a traditional manner. For example, the device 20 may be usable with
a single
wedge 50A-B having a greater length, or a number of smaller wedges 50A-B,
rather than
two wedges 50A-B, in one embodiment. As another example, two wedges 50A-B may
be
connected together by a narrow bridge section or similar structure in another
embodiment.
It is also understood that the wedge(s) 50A-B may have utility for positioning
a patient
independently and apart from the device 20 or other components of the system
10, and may
be used in different positions and locations than those described and
illustrated herein.
[0119] In one embodiment, the wedges 50A-B may have a directionally-oriented
material
(e.g., a directional stitching material 45, directional glide material, etc.)
covering at least a
portion of the ramp surface 52, and potentially other surfaces as well. In the
embodiments
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6-8, the wedges 50A-B have the directional
stitching material 45
covering the ramp surface 52. In another embodiment, the directional stitching
material 45
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may additionally or alternately cover the base wall 51, the back wall 53,
and/or the side
walls 54. The directional stitching material 45 in this embodiment forms an
engagement
member 62 (which may be referred to as a "ramp engagement member") of a
selective
gliding assembly 60 on the ramp surface 52. In this embodiment, the
directional stitching
material 45 on the ramp surface 52 has the axis B (along which gliding is
resisted)
extending between the side walls 54 and parallel to the front end 57 and/or
the apex 55, as
illustrated in FIG. 18. Accordingly, the axis A (along which gliding is
allowed) extends
perpendicular to the front end 57 and/or the apex 55 and parallel to the side
walls 54 in this
embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 18. In this arrangement, the directional
stitching material
45 resists movement of the wedges 50A-B in directions parallel to the ramp
surface 52 and
perpendicular to the side walls 54, as described in greater detail herein.
Similarly, the
directional stitching material 45 resists movement of another surface in
contact with the
directional stitching material 45 (e.g., the bottom surface 22 of the device
20) relative to the
wedges 50A-B in directions along to the ramp surface 52 (i.e., parallel to the
front end 57,
the apex 55 and/or the back wall 51) and perpendicular to the side walls 54.
The directional
stitching material 45 also engages the engagement members 61 of the
directional stitching
material 45 on the bottom surface 22 of the device 20 to enhance the selective
gliding effect
of the selective gliding assembly. This arrangement is illustrated
schematically in FIG. 18.
The other surfaces (e.g., the base wall 51, the back wall 53, and the side
walls 54) of the
wedges 50A-B are covered by a wrapping material 43 in the embodiment of FIGS.
2 and 6-
8. This wrapping material 43 may be a taffeta fabric or other suitable
material. In another
embodiment, one or more of these surfaces may not be covered by any material,
so that the
inner material of the wedges 50A-B is exposed, or one or more of these
surfaces may be
partially covered by a material.
[0120] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6-8, the wedges 50A-B
also have
engagement members 64 in the form of patches of a directional glide material
49 located on
one or more surfaces. The wedges 50A,B illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6-8 have
engagement
members 64 of the directional glide material 49 located on the ramp surface 52
and the base
wall 51 (which may also be referred to as a "ramp engagement member" and a
"base
engagement member," respectively). In another embodiment, one of the wedges
50B may
have an engagement member 64 of the directional glide material 49 located on
the ramp
surface 52, but not on the base wall 51. Each of the engagement members 64 in
this
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embodiment have the directional glide material 49 oriented so that the
direction C of
allowed movement of another surface with respect to the base wall 51 or the
ramp surface
52 extends from the front end 57 and/or the apex 55 toward the back wall 53,
as illustrated
in FIG. 18. For example, for a brushed nylon fiber material, the fibers would
be angled
toward the back wall 53, so that gliding over the engagement member 64 in the
direction C
from the front end 57 and/or the apex 55 toward the back wall 53 is free,
while gliding in
the opposite direction D from the back wall 53 toward the front end 57 and/or
the apex 55 is
resisted. It is understood that this gliding is explained above with respect
to the movement
of another surface in contact with the directional glide material 49 (e.g.,
the bottom surface
22 of the device 20 or the bed sheet 15) relative to the wedge 50A-B. This
same directional
relationship can alternately be expressed as resisting movement of the wedge
50A-B with
respect to the other surface in a direction from the front end 57 and/or the
apex 55 toward
the back wall 53 (e.g., resisting the wedge 50A-B from moving away from the
patient),
while allowing free gliding of the wedge 50A-B with respect to the other
surface in a
direction from the back wall 53 toward the front end 57 and/or the apex 55
(e.g., allowing
easy insertion of the wedge 50A-B beneath the device 20).
[0121] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6-8, the patches of the
directional
glide material 49 covered only a portion of the surfaces 51, 52 on which they
were located,
such that the edges of the directional glide material 49 are spaced from the
edges of the
respective surfaces on which they are located. In this configuration, the
amount of the
directional glide material 49 is sufficient to provide good resistance to
unwanted slipping,
but is not excessively expensive and leaves part of the directional stitching
material 45 on
the ramp surface 52 exposed to provide further functionality. For example, in
one
embodiment, the directional glide material 49 may cover approximately 20-40%
of the
surface area of the respective surface on which it is disposed, and in another
embodiment,
the directional glide material 49 may cover approximately 25-30% of the
respective surface.
In other embodiments, the directional glide material 49 may be located, sized,
and/or
oriented differently, and generally cover at least a portion of the surfaces
on which they are
located. Additionally, each of the patches of the directional glide material
49 may have a
border to help resist abrasion, fraying, and or other wear, as shown in FIGS.
7-8. Such a
border may be created by stitching (e.g., serge stitch), addition of a durable
material, or
other technique. Further, each of the patches of the directional glide
material 49 may be
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connected to the wedge 50A-B by stitching, adhesive or other bonding, and/or
other
techniques. The engagement members 64 may have other configurations in other
embodiments, including using different types of directionally-oriented
materials.
[0122] As described above, the engagement members 62 of the directional
stitching
material 45 on the ramp surfaces 52 of the wedges 50A-B engage the engagement
members
61 of the directional stitching material 45 on the bottom surface 22 of the
device 20 to
enhance the selective gliding effect of the selective gliding assembly 60.
This engagement
resists movement of the device 20 with respect to the wedges 50A-B along the
axis B, and
particularly, in the direction from the top edge 23 to the bottom edge 23 of
the device 20, or
in other words, from the head 13 to the foot 17 of the bed 12. In one
embodiment, the
directional stitching material 45 sliding upon another piece of the same
material provides a
resistance to sliding along the axis B on both pieces of material that is at
least 3X greater
(e.g., 3.6X in one embodiment) than the resistance to sliding along the axis A
on both pieces
of material. In other embodiments, the directional stitching material 45
sliding upon
another piece of the same material provides a resistance to sliding along the
axis B on both
pieces of material that is at least 2X greater, or at least 2.5X greater, than
the resistance to
sliding along the axis A on both pieces of material. These and all other
relative
measurements of resistance to sliding described herein may be calculated using
ASTM
D1894. Additionally, the engagement members 64 of the directional glide
material 49
engage the engagement members 61 of the directional stitching material 45 on
the bottom
surface 22 of the device 20 to resist movement of the device 20 with respect
to the wedges
opposite to the direction C, from the back wall 53 toward the front end 57
and/or the apex
55 of the wedges 50A-B, or in other words, to resist sliding of the device 20
down the slope
of the ramp surface 52. In one embodiment, the directional stitching material
45 sliding
upon the directional glide material 49 along the axis A of the material 45 and
in the
direction D of the material 49 provides a resistance to sliding that is at
least 3X greater (e.g.,
3.5X in one embodiment) than the resistance to sliding along the axis A and in
the direction
C. In another embodiment, the directional stitching material 45 sliding upon
the directional
glide material 49 along the axis A of the material 45 and in the direction D
of the material
49 provides a resistance to sliding that is at least 2X greater, or at least
2.5X greater, than
the resistance to sliding along the axis A and in the direction C.
Additionally, in one
embodiment, the directional stitching material 45 sliding upon the directional
glide material
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49 along the axis B of the material 45 (perpendicular to the directions C and
D of the
material 49) provides a resistance to sliding that is at least 3.5X greater
(e.g., 4.1X in one
embodiment) than the resistance to sliding along the axis A and in the
direction C. In
another embodiment, the directional stitching material 45 sliding upon the
directional glide
material 49 along the axis B of the material 45 (perpendicular to the
directions C and D of
the material 49) provides a resistance to sliding that is at least 2X greater,
at least 2.5X
greater, or at least 3X greater, than the resistance to sliding along the axis
A and in the
direction C.
[0123] The combination of these engagements between the engagement members 61,
62,
64 creates a selective gliding assembly 60 with a "one-way" gliding
arrangement between
the device 20 and the wedges 50A-B, where the device 20 can only freely move
in the
direction C toward the back walls 53 of the wedges 50A-B, which allows the
device 20 and
the patient 70 to be pulled up onto the ramp surfaces 52 of the wedges 50A-B
without
resistance, as described herein. The engagement member 64 of the directional
glide
material 49 on the base wall 51 of the wedge 50A,B also resists sliding of the
wedge 50A,B
away from the front end 57 and/or the apex 55, or in other words, resists
sliding of the
wedge 50A,B out from underneath the device 20. In one embodiment, the
directional glide
material 49 sliding against a typical bed sheet material in the direction D
provides a
resistance to sliding that is at least 2.5X greater (e.g., 2.9X in one
embodiment) than the
resistance to sliding in the direction C. Additionally, in one embodiment, the
directional
glide material 49 sliding against a typical bed sheet material perpendicular
to the directions
C and D (i.e. toward the foot 17 of the bed 12) also provides a resistance to
sliding that is at
least 2.5X greater (e.g., 2.5X in one embodiment) than the resistance to
sliding in the
direction C. The base walls 51 of the wedges 50A-B may also include a material
or feature
to offer some resistance to sliding of the wedges 50A-B along the axis B in
one
embodiment, and particularly, in the direction from the top edge 23 to the
bottom edge 23 of
the device 20, or in other words, from the head 13 to the foot 17 of the bed
12. For
example, a directional stitching material 45 or another directionally-oriented
material may
be used for this purpose. The resistance to sliding provided by such material
may be less
than the resistance of the selective gliding assemblies 60 between the device
20 and the
ramp surfaces 52 of the wedges 50A-B, such that the device 20 will not be
encouraged to
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slide relative to the wedges 50A-B, and the device 20, the pad 40, the wedges
50A-B, and
the patient 70 may move together without slipping relative to one another.
[0124] As described herein, the selective gliding assemblies 60 can resist
movement in
one or more directions and allow free movement in one or more different
directions, which
may be transverse or opposed to each other. It is understood that the
"resistance" to sliding
may be expressed using a difference in pull force necessary to create sliding
movement
between the same pieces of material in different directions. For example, if a
selective
gliding assembly is considered to "resist" sliding in one direction and
"allow" sliding in
another direction, this may be determined by having a relatively greater pull
force necessary
to create sliding movement between two engaging materials in the former
direction and a
relatively smaller pull force necessary to create sliding movement between the
same two
materials in the latter direction. The difference in resistance may be
expressed
quantitatively as well, such as described elsewhere herein. In one embodiment,
a selective
gliding assembly 60 may resist movement in one direction and may allow
movement in
another direction that is opposed (i.e., angled 180 to) the first direction.
In another
embodiment, a selective gliding assembly 60 may resist movement in one
direction and may
allow movement in another direction angled 90 to the first direction. In a
further
embodiment, a selective gliding assembly 60 may allow movement in one
direction and
may resist movement in at least two other directions angled 90 and 180 to
the first
direction. Still further types of directional gliding assemblies 60 may be
constructed using
materials as described herein and/or additional materials with directional
properties.
[0125] In other embodiments, the apparatus 10 may include a different type of
supporting
device other than the wedges 50A-B illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6-8, such as a
different type
or configuration of wedge or a different type of supporting device. For
example, the
wedges 50A-B may be joined together to form a single wedge in one embodiment,
which
may include a gap at the sacral area. As another example, the system 10 may
include a
supporting device in the form of a pillow or cushion. It is understood that
any supporting
device for turning patients 70 that may be included with the system 10 may
include any of
the features of the wedges 50A-B described herein, including the engagement
members 62,
64 for forming selective glide assemblies 60.
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[0126] FIGS. 20-24 illustrate another embodiment of an inflatable patient
support device
20 for use in connection with a system or apparatus 10 as described above. It
is understood
that the device 20 in FIGS. 20-24 may be used in connection with the wedges
50A-B, the
absorbent body pad 40, and other components of the system 10 as described
elsewhere
herein, and the use of the device 20 of FIGS. 20-24 in connection with these
other
components is not illustrated or described in detail herein for the sake of
brevity.
Additionally, the device 20 of FIGS. 20-24 includes many components and
features that are
similar or identical to the components and features of the device 20 described
herein with
respect to other embodiments, e.g., the embodiment in FIGS. 1-13. Such similar
or
identical components are referred to using similar reference numbers and may
not be
described again in detail with respect to FIGS. 20-24, for the sake of
brevity. Thus, it is
understood that the device 20 in FIGS. 20-24 may include any of the
components, features,
or variations thereof described elsewhere herein with respect to other
embodiments.
[0127] The top and bottom sheets 26, 27 of the device 20 in the embodiment of
FIGS. 20-
24 have rectangular shapes, giving the device 20 a rectangular outer shape,
such that the
head edge 23 is straight, rather than angular in shape. The device 20 of FIGS.
20-24 has the
gusset 32 most proximate to the head edge 23 of the device 20 spaced more
closely to the
head edge 23, as compared the similarly-positioned gusset 32 in the embodiment
of FIGS.
1-13. As a result, the device 20 in FIGS. 20-24 undergoes a comparatively
smaller degree
of inflation near the head edge 23, as shown in FIG. 23, creating a sloping
shape between
the head edge 23 and the closest gusset 32 when the device is inflated. This
configuration
permits the patient's head to rest more comfortably and naturally on the
device 20.
[0128] The device 20 in the embodiment of FIGS. 20-24 is smaller than the
device 20 in
FIGS. 1-13, allowing greater freedom of movement of the device 20 and the
patient when
placed on a bed 12. Fewer gussets 32 are included in this embodiment relative
to the device
of FIGS. 1-13, due at least partially to the smaller size. As illustrated in
FIGS. 20-23, the
device has five gussets 32 and ten total gusset arms 32B, as opposed to the
seven gussets 32
and fourteen total gusset arms 32B in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-13. The
heights of the
gusset arms 32B are also smaller in the embodiment of FIGS. 20-24, relative to
the
embodiment of FIGS. 1-13, creating a shorter inflation height and a relatively
larger
peripheral cushion 34, which may improve stability. The spacing between the
gussets 32 in
the embodiment of FIGS. 20-24 is equal or substantially equal to the spacing
between the
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gusset arms 32B (i.e., the width of the gusset bases 32A). Additionally, the
lateral ends of
the gussets 32 in the embodiment of FIGS. 20-24 are spaced inwardly from the
side edges
23 of the device 20 to create the peripheral cushion 34, as in the embodiment
of FIGS. 1-13.
The device 20 in the embodiment of FIGS. 20-24 includes four covers 38, with
one cover
38 positioned over each of four passages 37. The covers 38 in this embodiment
are made of
an air-permeable material with directional friction properties (e.g., a
directional glide
material 45), and the covers 38 may have any or all of the capabilities
identified herein with
respect to the covers 38 in FIGS. 1-13, including the ability to function as
engagement
members 61 for a selective gliding assembly 60.
[0129] The passages 37 in the device 20 of FIGS. 20-24 are diamond-shaped or
otherwise
tapered in width from the center of each passage 37 to the ends of the passage
37, similar to
the configuration shown in FIG. 17. In another embodiment, the passages 37 may
have a
different shape (i.e., other than a diamond) that has a width that is greater
proximate the
center of the device 20 and smaller proximate the side edges 23 of the device
20. Such a
tapered-width configuration assists in airflow control, to prevent excess air
loss when lifting
of the side edges 23 of the device 20. Normally, the passages 37 are pressed
against the
supporting surface 16 of the bed 12, which limits airflow through the passages
37 to
maintain inflation of the device 20. When a portion of the device 20 is
lifted, part of the
passage 37 will not be covered by any surface, allowing increased airflow
through the
passage 37. When the passages 37 have a tapered width as shown in FIGS. 20-24,
lifting a
portion of the device 20 near one of the side edges 23 (which is frequently
done during use,
such as to insert the wedges 50A-B) will only uncover a small area of the
passage 37, thus
limiting air escape. At the same time, the overall size of the passage 37
provides the desired
overall level of airflow through the passage 37 to ensure proper inflation and
a suitable air
cushion for moving the device 20. Additionally, the device 20 in FIGS. 20-24
has larger
passages 37 in the area configured to be positioned under the upper body and
torso of the
patient and smaller passages 37 in the areas configured to be positioned under
the head and
the lower body of the patient. As described above, this creates a passage 37
configuration
with a greater aggregate surface area of passages 37 in the areas designed to
be positioned
beneath the upper body and torso of the patient 70, as these areas will
typically support
greater weight and can benefit from an increased volume of air forming the air
cushion in
those areas.
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[0130] The structure and function of the device 20 in FIGS. 20-24 is, in other
aspects,
generally similar to the structure and function of the other embodiments in
FIGS. 1-19
described herein. In particular, the device 20 in FIGS. 20-24 is configured
for use with the
wedges 50A-B and the pump 90 in the same manners described elsewhere herein.
[0131] FIG. 26 illustrates another embodiment of an inflatable patient support
device 20
for use in connection with a system 10 as described above. It is understood
that the device
20 in FIG. 26 may be used in connection with the wedges 50A-B, the absorbent
body pad
40, and other components of the system 10 as described elsewhere herein, and
the use of the
device 20 of FIG. 26 in connection with these other components is not
illustrated or
described in detail herein for the sake of brevity. Additionally, the device
20 of FIG. 26
includes many components and features that are similar or identical to the
components and
features of the device 20 described herein with respect to other embodiments,
e.g., the
embodiments in FIGS. 1-13 and FIGS. 20-24. Such similar or identical
components are
referred to using similar reference numbers and may not be described again in
detail with
respect to FIG. 26, for the sake of brevity. Thus, it is understood that the
device 20 in FIG.
26 may include any of the components, features, or variations thereof
described elsewhere
herein with respect to other embodiments.
[0132] The device 20 in FIG. 26 has gussets 32 that extend lengthwise in the
head-to-foot
direction (i.e., substantially parallel to the side edges 23), rather than in
the lateral (side-to-
side) direction as in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-17 and 20-24. The device 20
in this
embodiment has three gussets 32 with a total of six gusset arms 32B extending
between the
top and bottom sheets 26, 27. The total area covered by the gussets 32 and the
spacing
between the gussets 32 and the edges 23 of the device 20 in the embodiment of
FIG. 26 are
similar to that of the embodiment in FIGS. 20-24, such that a peripheral
cushion 34 of
similar size is formed around the central area 35. Additionally, the gussets
32 are closer to
the head edge 23 than the foot edge 23 in the embodiment of FIG. 26, in order
to form a
sloping shape between the head edge 23 and the ends of the gussets 32 when the
device 20
is inflated.
[0133] The device 20 in the embodiment of FIG. 26 has passages 37 that are
positioned
beneath the bases 32A of the gussets 32, so that the gussets 32 cover the
passages 37 as in
the embodiments of FIGS. 1-13 and 20-24 described above. The passages 37 in
this
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embodiment are illustrated as round passages 37 arranged in lateral rows,
similar to the
passages 37 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-13. In other embodiments, the
passages 37 may
be shaped and/or placed in a different configuration, and additional pieces 47
of air
permeable material may be used to cover the passages 37 or portions of the
passages 37 as
necessary, such as shown in FIG. 25. For example, the gussets 32 may not
include bases
32A in one embodiment, and any or all of the passages 37 may be covered with
additional
pieces 47 of air permeable material. The device 20 in the embodiment of FIG.
26 also has
air permeable covers 38 on the bottom surface 22 covering all of the passages
37, with each
cover 38 extending laterally to cover a row of three passages 37. The covers
38 in the
embodiment of FIG. 26 may have any or all of the capabilities identified
herein with respect
to the covers 38 in FIGS. 1-13 and 20-24, including the ability to function as
engagement
members 61 for a selective gliding assembly 60.
[0134] The structure and function of the device 20 in FIG. 26 is, in other
aspects,
generally similar to the structure and function of the other embodiments in
FIGS. 1-25
described herein. In particular, the device 20 in FIG. 26 is configured for
use with the
wedges 50A-B and the pump 90 in the same manners described elsewhere herein.
[0135] FIGS. 30-35 illustrate another embodiment of an inflatable patient
support device
20 for use in connection with a system 10 as described herein. It is
understood that the
device 20 in FIGS. 30-35 may be used in connection with the wedges 50A-B, the
absorbent
body pad 40, and other components of the system 10 as described elsewhere
herein, and the
use of the device 20 of FIGS. 30-35 in connection with these other components
is not
illustrated or described in detail herein for the sake of brevity.
Additionally, the device 20
of FIGS. 30-35 includes many components and features that are similar or
identical to the
components and features of the device 20 described herein with respect to
other
embodiments, e.g., the embodiments in FIGS. 1-13 and FIGS. 20-26. Such similar
or
identical components are referred to using similar reference numbers and may
not be
described again in detail with respect to FIGS. 30-35, for the sake of
brevity. Thus, it is
understood that the device 20 in FIGS. 30-35 may include any of the
components, features,
or variations thereof described elsewhere herein with respect to other
embodiments. For
example, it is understood that the embodiment of FIGS. 30-35 is similar or
identical to the
embodiment of FIGS. 20-24 in structure and function except as otherwise
described herein.
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[0136] The device 20 in FIGS. 30-35 has inflation ports 80 that are located
and configured
differently in some aspects from the ports 80 described with respect to other
embodiments
herein. The ports 80 in FIGS. 30-35 are located at the corners where the left
and right side
edges 23 and the foot edge 23 of the device 20 meet, and the opening 82 of
each port is
formed across said corners at an angle. In the embodiment shown, the openings
82 are
formed at 45 angles and extend inwardly at 45 angles, and the corners of the
top sheet 26
and the bottom sheet 27 are folded inwardly onto the top and bottom surfaces
21, 22 of the
device 20, respectively, to create this configuration. The retaining mechanism
83 in the
embodiment of FIGS. 30-35 is a stretchable or elastic member that is located
around at least
a portion of each opening 82. The elastic member of the retaining mechanism 83
is
schematically illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 32, and is provided in the
form of an elastic
ring, a compressible 0-ring, or other such structure. Such an elastic member
may be
included in an annular pocket or cavity formed around the opening 82 by a
separate piece
65 of sheet material being stitched or otherwise connected around the opening
82. FIGS.
33-34 illustrate an air output 81 being inserted in the two openings 82 at the
left and right
corners of the device 20.
[0137] The device 20 in FIGS. 30-35 also includes a valve 84 that is
constructed similarly
to the valve 84 of the embodiment of FIGS. 3-5 and 9 and the embodiment of
FIGS. 20-24
discussed above, and this valve 84 may include any of the features (including
alternate
features) described above with respect to those embodiments. The valve 84 in
this
embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 35 and is formed by a pocket 85 that is
positioned within
the cavity 31 of the device 20 and has an entrance opening 86 in communication
with the
opening 82 of the port 80 and at least one exit opening 87 in communication
with the cavity
31, as similarly described herein with respect to other embodiments. The
entrance opening
86 in this embodiment is located at the corner of the pocket 85 in order to
correspond to the
location of the opening 82 on the device 20. The pocket 85 in the embodiment
of FIG. 35
has two branches 89 extending away from each other, e.g., to form an L-shape,
and the exit
openings 87 are located near the ends of the branches 89 to space them from
the entrance
opening 86 and from each other. The pocket 85 in this embodiment is formed by
one or
more sheets 88 of flexible material that are folded and/or connected together
to define the
pocket 85 in the desired shape. In the embodiment of FIG. 35, the pocket 85 is
stitched to
the inside of the device 20 only around the port 80, and the rest of the
pocket 85 is free
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within the cavity 31. The retaining mechanism 83 (elastic member) and the
separate piece
65 of material positioned around each opening 82 are connected to the pockets
85 at the
entrance openings 86 in this embodiment, although these structures may be
connected
directly to the top and/or bottom sheets 26, 27 in another embodiment. The
valve 84 in the
embodiment of FIG. 35 functions in substantially the same manner as the valve
84
described herein with respect to other embodiments.
[0138] All or some of the components of the system 10 can be provided in a
kit, which
may be in a pre-packaged arrangement, as described in U.S. Patent Application
Publication
No. 2012/0186012, published July 26, 2012, which is incorporated by reference
herein in its
entirety and made part hereof. For example, the device 20 (deflated) and the
pad 40 may be
provided in a pre-folded arrangement or assembly, with the pad 40 positioned
in
confronting relation with the top surface 21 of the device 20, in
approximately the same
position that they would be positioned in use, and the device 20 and pad 40
can be pre-
folded to form a pre-folded assembly. This pre-folded assembly can be unfolded
when
placed beneath a patient. It is understood that different folding patterns can
be used. The
pre-folded device 20 and pad 40 can then be unfolded together on the bed 12,
as described
below, in order to facilitate use of the system 10. Additionally, the device
20 and the pad 40
can be packaged together, by wrapping with a packaging material to form a
package, and
may be placed in the pre-folded assembly before packaging. The one or more
wedges 50
and/or the pump 90 may also be included in the package, in one embodiment.
Other
packaging arrangements may be used in other embodiments.
[0139] As shown in FIGS. 36-37, the device 20 may also include a port sock 120
having a
first opening 121 and a second port opening 122. The first opening 121 is
configured to
attach or connect to the inflatable body of the device 20 or to valves 84
(e.g., by sewing first
opening 121 to ports 80 or to valves 84). The port sock 120 is connected to
the device 20 in
such a way that the port at second port opening 122 may not be flush with side
and foot
edges 23 of device 20. In other words, when port sock 120 is attached to
device 20, port
sock 120 may extend out from the device 20. Extending port sock 120 out from
the device
20 prevents port sock 120 or port 80 from bunching up and ensures that device
20 remains
flat. Port opening 122 of port sock 120 may have a retaining mechanism 123,
which is
provided in the form of an elastic ring. Side handles 124 (e.g., straps or
tabs) are disposed
at or along an edge of port opening 122 of port sock 120. Side handles 124 are
configured
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to allow for pulling retaining mechanism 123 to stretch open port opening 122
so that a
nozzle 81 can be inserted into port opening 122. Side handles 124 allow for
easier insertion
of a nozzle into port opening 122 without stretching port opening 122 to a
completely
unstretched state. Side handles 124 are also configured to allow for pulling
retaining
mechanism 123 to open port opening 122 such that the nozzle can be easily
removed. Port
sock 120 also includes side pouches 125 configured to engage with a nozzle 81
or an
attachment to the nozzle 81, as described below. The side pouches 125 are a
portion of the
port sock 120 having an increased diameter relative to the port opening 121
and/or 122. In
the embodiment shown, the side pouches 125 are two oppositely disposed peak-
shaped
portions, formed by an increase in diameter from the port opening 122 to a
maximum pouch
diameter, and then decreasing back down to the diameter of the port opening
121.
[0140] A nozzle 81 which is configured to be disposed within port opening 122
is show in
FIGS. 38-40. Nozzle 81 is similar or identical to nozzle 81 shown in FIGS. 33-
34. A clip
100 is configured to be disposed on a lip 81a of nozzle 81 or otherwise around
a distal
portion of the nozzle 81 to form an oblong lip on the nozzle 81. Clip 100 may
have a C-
shape such that it can be easily put on and taken off of the nozzle 81. Clip
100 has any
suitable configuration or design. For example, clip 100 includes extended side
portions
(e.g., flanges) 111 disposed along a front surface of clip 100 and which may
be configured
to bend away from the front surface of clip 100 and a protrusion 110 which may
extend out
and away from the top surface of clip 100. Clip 100 is configured such that
when clip 100
is installed on nozzle 81 and nozzle 81 is placed in port sock 122, the
extended side portions
(e.g., flanges) 111 of clip 100 are disposed within side pouches 125 of port
sock 120. Clip
100 is configured such that when it is installed on nozzle 81, protrusion 110
of clip 100
wraps around an outer surface of nozzle 81 in a secure fit. Alternatively,
protrusion 110 of
clip 100 is configured to snap into an inner surface of nozzle 81. Clip 100 is
configured to
prevent unintentional disengagement of nozzle 81 from opening 82 or valves 84
due to an
increased dimension relative to the port opening 122. Additionally, the
downward bend of
extended side portions 111 are configured to prevent unintentional
disengagement of nozzle
81 from opening 82. Also, clip 100 is configured to prevent nozzle 81 from
rotating relative
to port opening 122 when nozzle 81 is disposed within port opening 122 because
of the
corresponding shape of the clip 100 with the side pouches 125 which allow
positioning of
the clip 100 in the port sock 120 in substantially only that orientation. In
some aspects, clip
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100 may be removable. In some aspects, clip 100 is manufactured as a single,
unitary
component with nozzle 81, giving the nozzle an oblong lip 101, as shown in
FIG. 41.
Further, as shown in FIG. 41, nozzle 81 includes, for example, a threaded
portion 81b,
configured to make nozzle 81 securably attachable to an air input or output
(e.g., pump 90).
[0141] An example embodiment of a method for utilizing the system 10 is
illustrated in
part in FIG. 6 with respect to the embodiment in FIGS. 1-13. It is understood
that the other
embodiments shown and described herein, e.g., as in FIGS. 14-26 and FIGS. 30-
37, may be
utilized in the same or a similar method, with the same or similar
functionality. As
described above, the device 20 and the pad 40 may be provided as a pre-folded
assembly,
and the device 20 and pad 40 together may be placed beneath the patient in a
pre-folded
state. Examples of methods for placing the device 20 and the pad 40 beneath
the patient
and for removing and replacing the pad 40 are shown and described in U.S.
Patent No.
8,789,533, which is incorporated by reference herein. Once the device 20 and
the pad 40
are placed beneath the patient 70, the device 20 can be inflated, by
connecting the air output
81 to one of the inflation ports 80 and then fastening the retaining mechanism
83 to secure
the connection. Air can then be pumped into the device 20 through the air
output 81.
Deflation can be accomplished by simply shutting off and/or removing the air
output 81.
[0142] FIG. 6 illustrates an example embodiment of a method for placing the
patient in an
angled resting position by placing two wedges 50A-B under the patient 70
resting on an
inflated device 20. The method is used with a patient 70 lying on a bed 12 as
described
above, having a bed sheet (e.g., a fitted sheet) on the supporting surface 16,
with the device
20 and pad 40 of the system 10 lying on top of the bed sheet and the patient
70 lying on the
pad 40. In this embodiment, the wedges 50A-B are positioned on top of the bed
sheet, such
that the bed sheet contacts the base wall 51 of the wedge 50A-B, and the ramp
surfaces 52
of the wedges 50A-B contact the device 20. It is understood that no bed sheet
or other
cover for the mattress 18 may be present in some embodiments, in which case
the wedges
50 can be placed directly on the mattress 18. As shown in FIG. 6, the edge of
the device 20
is lifted, and the wedges 50A-B are inserted from the side of the bed 12 under
the device 20
toward the patient 70. The patient 70 may be rolled all the way onto his/her
side for
insertion of the wedges 50A-B in one embodiment. At this point, at least the
apex 55 of
each wedge 50A-B may be pushed toward, next to, or at least partially under
the patient 70.
The selective gliding assemblies 60 between the wedges 50A-B and the bottom
surface 22
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of the device 20 do not resist such insertion and allow free gliding of the
wedge toward the
patient and away from the side edge of the bed. This insertion technique may
position the
patient to the desired angle with no further movement of the patient 70
necessary. In one
embodiment, the wedges 50A-B should be aligned so that the wedges are spaced
apart with
one wedge 50A positioned at the upper body of the patient 70 and the other
wedge 50B
positioned at the lower body of the patient 70, with the patient's sacral area
positioned in the
space between the wedges 50A-B. It has been shown that positioning the wedges
50A-B in
this arrangement can result in lower pressure in the sacral area, which can
reduce the
occurrence of pressure ulcers in the patient 70. The wedges 50A-B may be
positioned
approximately 10cm apart in one embodiment, or another suitable distance to
provide space
to float the sacrum, or in other words, to have minimal force on the sacrum.
[0143] Once the wedges 50A-B and the support 80 have been inserted, the
patient 70 may
be in the proper angled position. If the patient 70 requires further turning
to reach the
desired angled position, the user 74 (such as a caregiver) can pull the
patient 70 toward the
wedges 50A-B and toward the user 74, such as by gripping the handles 28, 48 on
the device
20, as shown in FIGS. 1-2. This moves the proximate edge of the device 20
toward the
back walls 53 of the wedges 50A-B and toward the user 74, and slides the
patient 70 and at
least a portion of the device 20 up the ramp surface 52, such that the ramp
surface 52
partially supports the patient 70 to cause the patient 70 to lie in an angled
position. During
this pulling motion, the selective gliding assemblies 60 between the ramp
surfaces 52 of the
wedges 50A-B and the device 20 do not resist movement of the device 20, the
engagement
member 64 on the base wall 51 of the wedge 50A resists movement of the wedge
50A
toward the user 74 (i.e., away from the patient 70 and toward the side edge of
the bed 12),
and the high friction surface 24 of the device 20 resists movement of the pad
40 and/or the
patient 70 with respect to the device 20.
[0144] When the patient 70 is to be returned to lying on his/her back, the
wedges 50A-B
can be removed from under the patient 70. The device 20 may be pulled in the
opposite
direction in order to facilitate removal of the wedges 50A-B and/or to
position the patient 70
closer to the center of the bed 12. The patient 70 can be turned in the
opposite direction by
inserting the wedges 50A-B under the opposite side of the device 20, from the
opposite side
of the bed 12, and optionally pulling the device 20 in the opposite direction
to move the
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patient 70 up the ramp surfaces 52 of the wedges 50A-B, in the same manner
described
above.
[0145] Once the wedges 50A-B are positioned beneath the patient 70 and the
device 20,
the various selective gliding assemblies 60 resist undesirable movement of the
patient 70
and the device 20. For example, the selective gliding assemblies 60 between
the ramp
surfaces 52 of the wedges 50A-B and the bottom surface 22 of the device 20
resist slipping
of the device 20 down the ramp surfaces 52, and also resist slipping of the
device 20
downward toward the foot 17 of the bed 12, and further resist slipping of the
wedges 50A-B
rearward away from the patient 70 and toward the side edge of the bed 12. As
another
example, the selective gliding assemblies 60 on the base walls 51 of the wedge
50A-B resist
slipping of the wedge 50A rearward away from the patient 70 and toward the
side edge of
the bed 12. These features in combination provide increased positional
stability to the
patient 70 as compared to existing turning and/or positioning systems, thereby
reducing the
frequency and degree of necessary repositioning. The patient 70, the pad 40,
the device 20,
and the wedges 50A-B tend to move "together" on the bed 12 in this
configuration, so that
these components are not unacceptably shifted in position relative to each
other. This, in
turn, assists in maintaining the patient 70 in optimal position for greater
periods of time and
reduces strain and workload for caregivers. To the extent that repositioning
is necessary,
the handles 28, 48 on the device 20 are configured to assist with such
repositioning in a
manner that reduces strain on caregivers. It is understood that the wedges 50A-
B may be
used in connection with the device 20 when the device 20 is in the inflated or
non-inflated
state. The selective glide assemblies 60 between the device 20 and the wedges
50A-B will
function similarly in either state.
[0146] As described above, in some embodiments, the wedges 50A-B may have an
angle
of up to approximately 45 , or from approximately 15-35 , or approximately 30
. Thus,
when these embodiments of wedges 50A-B are used in connection with the method
as
shown and described herein, the patient 70 need not be rotated or angled more
than 45 ,
35 , or 30 , depending on the wedge 50A-B configuration. The degree of
rotation can be
determined by the rotation or angle from the horizontal (supine) position of a
line extending
through the shoulders of the patient 70. Existing methods of turning and
positioning
patients to relieve sacral pressure often require rolling a patient to 90 or
more to insert
pillows or other supporting devices underneath. Rolling patients to these
great angles can
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cause stress and destabilize some patients, particularly in patients with
critical illnesses or
injuries, and some critical patients cannot be rolled to such great angles,
making turning of
the patient difficult. Accordingly, the system 10 and method described above
can have a
positive effect on patient health and comfort. Additionally, the angled nature
of the wedges
50A-B can allow for more accurate positioning of the patient 70 to a given
resting angle, as
compared to existing, imprecise techniques such as using pillows for support.
Further, the
selective gliding assemblies 60 resist undesired slipping with respect to the
wedges 50A-B,
which aids in maintaining the same turning angle.
[0147] The use of the system 10 and methods described above can decrease the
number of
pressure ulcers in patients significantly. The system 10 reduces pressure
ulcers in a variety
of manners, including reducing pressure on sensitive areas, reducing shearing
and friction
on the patient's skin, and managing heat and moisture at the patient's skin.
The system 10
can reduce pressure on the patient's skin by facilitating frequent turning of
the patient and
providing consistent support for accurate resting angles for the patient upon
turning. The
system 10 can reduce friction and shearing on the patient's skin by resisting
sliding of the
patient along the bed 12, including resisting sliding of the patient downward
after the head
13 of the bed 12 is inclined, as well as by permitting the patient to be moved
by sliding the
device 20 against the bed 12 instead of sliding the patient. Additionally, as
described
above, the use of the selective gliding assemblies and high/low friction
surfaces creates a
configuration where the device 20, the pad 40, the patient 70, and the wedges
50A-B all
move "as one" on the bed, so that the patient 70 stays in the proper turned
position and less
repositioning of the patient is necessary. The system 10 can provide effective
heat and
moisture management for the patient by the use of the absorbent body pad. The
breathable
properties of the device 20 and pad 40 are particularly beneficial when used
in conjunction
with an LAL bed system. Increased breathability also permits the system 10 to
be placed
underneath the patient 70 for extended periods of time. When used properly,
pressure
ulcers can be further reduced or eliminated.
[0148] The use of the system 10 and methods described above can also have
beneficial
effects for nurses or other caregivers who turn and position patients. Such
caregivers
frequently report injuries to the hands, wrists, shoulders, back, and other
areas that are
incurred due to the weight of patients they are moving. Use of the system 10,
including the
device 20 and the wedges 50A-B, can reduce the strain on caregivers when
turning,
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positioning, boosting, and/or transferring patients. For example, existing
methods for
turning and positioning a patient 70, such as methods including the use of a
folded-up bed
sheet for moving the patient 70, typically utilize lifting and rolling to move
the patient 70,
rather than sliding. Protocols for these existing techniques encourage lifting
to move the
patient and actively discourage sliding the patient, as sliding the patient
using existing
systems and apparatuses can cause friction and shearing on the patient's skin.
The ease of
motion and reduction in shearing and friction forces on the patient 70
provided by the
system 10 allows sliding of the patient 70, which greatly reduces stress and
fatigue on
caregivers while moving and/or turning the patient 70. The combination of the
low friction
material 25 and the airflow through the passages 37 greatly reduces friction
in moving the
patient 70. In particular, these features provide decreased force necessary
for "boosting" a
patient 70 toward the head 13 of the bed 12. It has been found that the use of
an inflated
device 20 as described herein and shown in FIGS. 1-6 can reduce the peak force
necessary
to boost a supine patient a distance of 12 inches toward the head 13 of a
standard hospital
bed 12 by 60-70%, in comparison to a typical boosting procedure using a folded-
over bed
sheet to move the patient. It has also been found that the use of an inflated
device 20 as
described herein and shown in FIGS. 1-6 can reduce the peak force necessary to
boost a
supine patient a distance of 12 inches toward the head 13 of a standard
hospital bed 12 by
55-65%, in comparison to a boosting procedure using a sheet with a low-
friction bottom
surface to move the patient. Still other benefits and advantages over existing
technology are
provided by the system 10 and methods described herein, and those skilled in
the art will
recognize such benefits and advantages.
[0149] Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and
illustrated
herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of
the individual
embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A
person of
ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments
could be
provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. It is
understood
that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing
from the spirit
or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments,
therefore, are to
be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the
invention is not to be
limited to the details given herein. The terms "first," "second," "top,"
"bottom," etc., as
used herein, are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the
embodiments in
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any way. In particular, these terms do not imply any order or position of the
components
modified by such terms. Additionally, the term "plurality," as used herein,
indicates any
number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary,
up to an
infinite number. Further, "providing" an article or apparatus, as used herein,
refers broadly
to making the article available or accessible for future actions to be
performed on the article,
and does not connote that the party providing the article has manufactured,
produced, or
supplied the article or that the party providing the article has ownership or
control of the
article. Accordingly, while specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described,
numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the
spirit of the
invention.
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