Inflatable support
Inventors
Davis, David T. • Werkheiser, Jason K. • Englebert, III, John F.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11298282-B2
Publication Date
2022-04-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
An inflatable patient support includes a top panel defining a first perimeter and a bottom panel defining a second perimeter. The second perimeter of the bottom panel is coupled to the first perimeter of the top panel. An internal wall is coupled between the top panel and the bottom panel to define a first chamber and a second chamber. The internal wall defines at least one passage therethrough that allows fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber. The first chamber and the second chamber are inflatable.
Core Innovation
An inflatable patient support includes a top panel defining a first perimeter and a bottom panel defining a second perimeter, where the second perimeter of the bottom panel is coupled to the first perimeter of the top panel. In a deflated state, the top panel and bottom panel define a substantially flat profile with a substantially rectangular outer perimeter, and in an inflated state they define a rounded profile configured to provide lateral stability, with a first arm section and a second arm section.
An internal wall is coupled between the top panel and the bottom panel to define a first chamber and a second chamber. The internal wall defines at least one passage therethrough that allows fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber, and the first chamber is configured to be inflated at a first inflation rate and the second chamber at a second inflation rate such that the first chamber is substantially inflated prior to inflation of the second chamber.
The first chamber includes the first arm section and the second arm section. The first arm section and second arm section are configured to position a patient in the center of a patient seating area defined between the first arm section and the second arm section when the first arm section and second arm section are inflated, and the patient seating area is defined by a shape and perimeter of a portion of the top panel and the bottom panel only in the inflated state.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set covers an inflatable patient support and a method of positioning a patient, using staged inflation of first and second inflatable chambers coupled by passages to center a patient within an arm-section-defined seating area while transitioning from a substantially flat deflated profile to a rounded laterally stable inflated profile. The claims emphasize first-chamber-first inflation and fluid communication between chambers, with additional independent coverage for radiolucent material and an inflation valve providing air flow at different rates.
Inflatable patient support with internal wall passages and staged chamber inflation for centered patient seating
An inflatable patient support with a top panel and a bottom panel coupled by an internal wall that defines a first chamber and a second chamber, the internal wall defining at least one passage that allows fluid communication between the chambers, wherein the first chamber is inflatable at a first inflation rate before the second chamber is inflated at a second inflation rate, and wherein the first arm section and the second arm section position a patient in the center of a patient seating area defined between the arm sections only in the inflated state.
Method of positioning a patient using staged inflation via internal wall passage fluid communication
A method of positioning a patient on an inflatable patient support in which a first chamber is inflated at a first rate and a second chamber is inflated at a second rate by air flow from the first chamber through at least one passage defined in the internal wall, such that the first chamber is substantially inflated prior to inflation of the second chamber, and wherein first arm section and second arm section position the patient in the center of a patient seating area defined between the arm sections only in the inflated state.
Radiolucent inflatable support with internal wall passages and first-rate-before-second-rate inflation
An inflatable support with a top panel and a bottom panel defining a substantially flat profile in a deflated state and a rounded profile configured to provide lateral stability in an inflated state, an internal wall coupled between the top panel and bottom panel defining a first chamber and a second chamber with at least one passage providing air flow between the chambers, each of the top panel, the bottom panel, and the internal wall comprising a radiolucent material, and an inflation valve configured to provide air flow from an inflation device such that a portion defining the first chamber inflates at a first rate and a portion defining the second chamber inflates at a second rate, with the first chamber substantially inflated prior to inflation of the second chamber to position a patient centered in a seating area defined by portions of the top panel and bottom panel only in the inflated state.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage centers on an inflatable patient support with top and bottom panels and an internal wall that creates first and second inflatable chambers connected by at least one passage for fluid communication. The claims require staged inflation such that the first chamber is substantially inflated prior to the second chamber, and tie this staged inflation to positioning the patient centered within an arm-section-defined seating area that is defined only in the inflated state; one independent claim further requires radiolucent material for the top panel, bottom panel, and internal wall.
Stated Advantages
Provides lateral stability in the inflated state.
Positions a patient in the center of a patient seating area when the arm sections are inflated.
Reduces imaging artifacts by using radiolucent material.
Documented Applications
Positioning a patient using an inflatable patient support in staged inflation to center the patient within a seating area and provide lateral stability.
Imaging procedures.
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