A patient support device includes an inflatable body having a top sheet, a bottom sheet, and a cavity formed by the top sheet and the bottom sheet, wherein the top sheet and the bottom sheet are coupled together along a peripheral edge. The device further includes a port formed at the peripheral edge to permit inflation of the cavity and configured for connection to an air output device for inflation of the cavity. The port includes an opening configured to receive a portion of the air output device and a strap configured to wrap around at least a portion of the opening to retain the portion of the air output device within the opening. The strap is configured to adjust the size of the opening to retain the portion of the air output device.

The invention comprises of a device that allows health care providers to position the body of a patient for progression of labor, for assistance in fetal resuscitation, and for other medical procedures. The device has inflatable chambers that assist the labor and delivery health care provider in turning a patient onto her right or left side while laying in bed. An inflatable positioning pad is used to further assist with the turning of a patient and/or with the shifting of a patient toward the head or the foot of the bed as needed. This device and method will allow turning to be done frequently, rapidly and safely, especially in pregnant patients with epidurals, that are overweight, or that otherwise have difficulty moving on their own.

An inflatable stretcher includes an upper and a lower cover member connected along their outer peripheral edges to define an internal air space. The lower cover member has a plurality of perforations forming an overall pattern contoured to the shape of a human body. First and second partitioning member are disposed in the air space and connected to the upper and lower cover members to divide the air space into a plurality of widthwise-extended air release passages and two lengthwise-extended air flow passages located at two lateral sides of the air release passages. A flow opening is formed between each second partitioning member and each corresponding first partitioning member. The flow openings respectively have a cross-sectional area smaller than that of each air release passage, enabling air supplied from an inflation device into the air space to produce an increased air lifting force at positions corresponding to a patient's hips.

A system for supporting a patient on an inclined surface includes an inflatable device. The inflatable device includes a top sheet of material connected to a bottom sheet of material, the top sheet and the bottom sheet defining a cavity to be inflated, wherein the bottom sheet of material is 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 support surface upon which the device is configured to rest, and an input configured for receiving air to inflate the device. The system further includes a high-friction pad attached to the top sheet of material, and at least one attachment system configured to maintain the device on a support surface.

A patient transfer device includes a chamber formed by an upper layer coupled to a lower layer, the chamber configured to be inflated and supported by a support surface in contact with the lower layer. The patient transfer device further includes a port configured for connection to an air flow device. In various embodiments, the patient transfer device includes a low-friction sheet coupled to a bottom surface of the lower layer, wherein the low-friction sheet is configured to slide against itself to facilitate sliding of the chamber relative to the support surface. In other embodiments, the patient transfer device includes at least one air-expelling region disposed within a bottom surface of the lower layer, wherein the region is configured to expel air from within the first chamber along the bottom surface of the lower layer to facilitate sliding of the first chamber relative to the support surface.

A patient transfer device includes a chamber formed by an upper layer coupled to a lower layer, the chamber configured to be inflated and supported by a support surface in contact with the lower layer. The patient transfer device further includes a port configured for connection to an air flow device. In various embodiments, the patient transfer device includes a low-friction sheet coupled to a bottom surface of the lower layer, wherein the low-friction sheet is configured to slide against itself to facilitate sliding of the chamber relative to the support surface. In other embodiments, the patient transfer device includes at least one air-expelling region disposed within a bottom surface of the lower layer, wherein the region is configured to expel air from within the first chamber along the bottom surface of the lower layer to facilitate sliding of the first chamber relative to the support surface.

An inflatable device includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet to define a cavity when inflated such that the top sheet forms a top wall of the cavity and the bottom sheet forms a bottom wall of the cavity. The device includes a cavity junction connecting the top sheet and the bottom sheet configured to separate the cavity into a first cavity and a second cavity. The device includes a first port having a first opening in fluid communication with the first cavity and configured to allow passage of air into the first cavity. The device includes a second port having a second opening in fluid communication with the second cavity and configured to allow passage of air into the second cavity. The device further includes an opening in the cavity junction configured to allow air flow from the second cavity into the first cavity.

A method of manufacturing a patient transfer system including obtaining an inflatable device, where the device includes a top sheet of material and a bottom sheet of material connected to the top sheet of material defining a cavity therebetween to be inflated. The device further includes a plurality of passages in the bottom sheet extending from the cavity to an exterior of the device, where the passages are configured to permit air to pass from the cavity to the exterior of the device. The device also including a plurality of inflation-limiting members connecting the top sheet and bottom sheet, and an input configured for receiving air to inflate the device. The method further includes providing an absorbent body pad with the inflatable device, the absorbent body pad configured to be positioned between the top sheet of material and a patient positioned on the inflatable device.

A patient support device includes an inflatable body having a top sheet, a bottom sheet, and a cavity formed by the top sheet and the bottom sheet, wherein the top sheet and the bottom sheet are coupled together along a peripheral edge. The device further includes a port formed at the peripheral edge to permit inflation of the cavity and configured for connection to an air output device for inflation of the cavity. The port includes an opening configured to receive a portion of the air output device and a strap configured to wrap around at least a portion of the opening to retain the portion of the air output device within the opening. The strap is configured to adjust the size of the opening to retain the portion of the air output device.

A patient positioning system for use with a patient on a bed includes an inflatable patient support device, and optionally, other components such as one or more wedges and/or an absorbent pad. The device includes top and bottom sheets, where the top sheet is connected to the bottom sheet to define a cavity, such that the top and bottom sheets form top and bottom walls of the cavity in use. The device further has passages extending from the cavity to an exterior of the device, through the bottom sheet, and gussets connected to the top and bottom sheets and extending across the cavity. The passages permit air to pass from the cavity to the exterior of the device and to flow between the bottom surface of the device and the surface supporting the device. Selective glide assemblies may be used to resist sliding of these components in certain directions.