Abstract:
A single patient, personal use patient transfer mattress is provided including at least a substantially permanently stainable top sheet having a width, a length, and longitudinally oriented peripheral edges and a bottom sheet having the same width, the same length, longitudinally oriented peripheral edges and a plurality of perforations. The longitudinally oriented peripheral edges of the top and bottom sheets are sealingly fastened to one another. A plurality of baffles, each having a width and a length, are attached to an inner surface of the top sheet and an inner surface of the bottom sheet so as to be transversely oriented between the top sheet and the bottom. The baffles along with the widths of the top and bottom sheets define a radially-outwardly curved perimeter wall that is disposed between an edge of the baffles and the sealed peripheral edges of the top and bottom sheets. The radially-outwardly curved perimeter wall has a width y that is determined by the following relationship: d π - x 2 ≤ y where d comprises a height of the longitudinally extensive pontoon and x comprises the width of the baffles.
Abstract:
A transfer mattress includes an upper mattress having three longitudinally oriented plenums and three separate inlet/outlet valves that are each arranged in airflow communication with their respective plenum. First and second of the plenums are arranged in airflow communication with one another while a central plenum is arranged in airflow isolation from the first plenum and the second plenum so that the first and second plenums may be inflated and deflated independently of the central plenum. A lower inflatable mattress is separated by a common wall from the upper mattress. A lower inlet/outlet valve is arranged in airflow communication with a lower plenum defined by the lower inflatable mattress. A bottom wall defines a plurality of perforations so that when the lower plenum is charged with pressurized air, it escapes under pressure through the perforations to create an air bearing under the mattress. A method for transporting a patient in comfort is also provided by the invention.
Abstract:
An inflatable mattress having an inflated torso support pad, a first leg extending out from a first portion of the inflated torso support pad, and a second leg spaced from the first leg and extending out from a second portion of the inflated torso support pad. The first leg and the second leg may be spread apart or deflated and rolled upon themselves so as to provide easy access to the patient during clinical procedures. A method is provided for positioning a patient with the inflatable mattress.
Abstract:
An inflatable mattress having an inflated torso support pad, a first leg extending out from a first portion of the inflated torso support pad, and a second leg spaced from the first leg and extending out from a second portion of the inflated torso support pad. The first leg and the second leg define a gap between them to allow the legs to be spread apart for toileting or cleaning of the patient, or deflated and rolled upon themselves so as to provide easy access to the patient during clinical procedures. A method is provided for positioning a patient with the inflatable mattress. The bottom panel of the mattress has a plurality of perforations that permits the use of the mattress as a patient transfer device.
Abstract:
A double chambered transfer mattress is provided capable of partial deflation that that includes a top inflatable mattress and a bottom inflatable mattress that are separated by a common wall from one another. A selectable inlet/outlet valve is arranged for airflow communication between an interior chamber of the bottom inflatable mattress and a source of pressurized air. A one-way valve is positioned through the common wall so as to provide selective air flow communication between the top inflatable mattress and the bottom inflatable mattress so that when the inlet/outlet valve is opened, so as to deflate the bottom inflatable mattress, the one-way valve is actuated so as to prevent deflation of the top inflatable mattress.
Abstract:
An improved inflatable medical patient transfer apparatus has a combination of transverse partition members and a raised perimeter section to reduce deleterious ballooning and uneven inflation as well as quick emergency deflation and provide additional security for a patient supported upon such transfer apparatus. Additional differentially inflatable patient rolling chambers are preferably supplied on the top of the transfer apparatus to provide assistance to medical personnel in beginning to roll patients reclining or lying upon the transfer apparatus particularly in a deflated condition on a hospital bed. An improved air inlet arrangement is also provided along with certain indicia upon the surface of the transfer apparatus to expedite use by hospital personnel.
Abstract:
Air chamber-type air pallets incorporate side-to-side linked air pressurized tubes or chambers in two integrated rows, having common members for adjacent chambers under air pressurization rendered rigid over a certain extent to rigidify the air chambers thereof which form load backing chambers in place of rigid backing members conventionally employed in air pallets maintaining the load footprint borne by the air pressurized backing chambers matched by that of the developed air bearing or air film by passage of compressed air through the pattern of perforations. Preferably, linked tubes of one row are laterally offset but integrated physically to those of a second row to both limit lateral shrinkage of linked tubes extending completely across the pin hole perforations within the thin, flexible bottom sheet partially forming such air pallets. The use of upper and lower rows of tubes subject to air pressurization provides adequate separation between the load and the fixed support surface to prevent contact of the load and the fixed support surface irrespective of loss of pressurization of a given one of the tubes of either row. The air pallets are formed totally of thin, flexible sheet material, permitting deflation and transfer from one locale to another. The air pallets function as stable supports for the patient during transport over the developed air film between the patient mover and an underlying fixed support surface. A single row of linked tubes formed of two thin, flexible sheets, acting as plenum chambers and having perforations within the thin, flexible bottom sheet functions adequately to support the patient directly on the top thin, flexible sheet with the bottom tangential surfaces of the individual tubes flattening. Preferably the area of perforations for each tube is limited transversely to the flattened portions of those tubes facing the underlying fixed support surface, with the developed air film having a surface area matching that of the patient.
Abstract:
An inflatable mattress-sling having an inflatable torso support pad, a first leg extending out from a first portion of the inflatable torso support pad, and a second leg spaced from the first leg and extending out from a second portion of the inflatable torso support pad. The legs include straps attached to their inner and outer seams so as to facilitate lifting of a patient.
Abstract:
A pneumatic lift including inflatable mattresses stacked one atop another and arranged in air flow communication with one another, but with each being independently deflatable.