A method for hip distraction includes positioning a patient on a patient pad placed on a surgical table; and applying a distraction force to a leg of the patient that is sufficient to distract a hip joint of the patient, wherein the distraction force is opposed by a slide-resisting friction force provided by the patient pad and the patient pad is sufficiently stiff to resist bunching while providing the slide-resisting friction force.

Disclosed is a transfer device having a device body, a transfer platform including a platform plate, and a platform lateral actuator. The platform lateral actuator is configured to selectively move the platform plate laterally relative to the device body, such that the platform plate can be moved between a plurality of positions including (i) a stowed position in which the platform plate is retracted relative to the device body, (ii) a first extended position in which a first transverse edge of the platform plate is a leading edge that extends outward from a first side of the device body, and (iii) a second extended position in which a second transverse edge of the platform plate is a leading edge that extends outward from a second side of the device body. The transfer device also a treatment system configured to apply a cleaning and/or disinfecting treatment.

A transfer device includes an extendable transfer platform. The transfer platform includes a fixed plate, a moveable plate, and at least one platform actuator configured to selectively move the moveable plate relative to the fixed plate between a retracted position and an extended position in which a leading edge of the moveable plate is located distally from a leading edge of the fixed plate. The transfer platform also includes a transfer belt having a first end secured to a first driven roller, and a second end secured to a second driven roller. The transfer device also includes a platform support structure secured to the transfer platform for supporting the transfer platform above a floor surface. The platform support structure includes at least one support actuator configured to selectively move the transfer platform relative to the floor surface between a lowered position and a raised position.

A system and method for positioning an article under a person are provided. The system includes an apparatus having a first cover structure and a second cover structure, each having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface is movable in a first direction and the second surface moves in a second opposite direction. A coupling structure couples the first cover structure and the second cover structure, spacing them to enable the article to be positioned therebetween. The first and second directions of the first and second cover structures are substantially aligned. Movement of the first surfaces of the first and second cover structures in the first direction causes the second surfaces of the first and second cover structures to move the article positioned therebetween in the second direction by the second surfaces.

A method for hip distraction includes positioning a patient on a slide-resisting pad placed on a surgical table; tilting the surgical table so that the patient is in a first degree of inclination; applying a distraction force to a leg of the patient while the patient is in the first degree of inclination so that a hip joint of the patient is distracted, wherein the distraction force is opposed by a combination of a slide-resisting friction force provided by the slide-resisting pad and a gravitational force attributable to the first degree of inclination; reducing the tilt of the surgical table in accordance with a reduction of the distraction force over time so that the patient is in a second degree of inclination; and performing at least a portion of a surgical procedure on the distracted hip joint while the patient is in the second degree of inclination.

The invention comprises a patient transfer apparatus and method of use. The patient transfer apparatus in one form is a lateral transfer board having a board core, a two sided board covering, around which a tubular sheet rotates. The facing sides of the board covering and tubular sheet are coated with a material such as silicon to provide a low coefficient of friction. Two board handles are attached to each end. The materials of the lateral transfer board, including the board core, the sheets, and the plastic handles may have antimicrobial properties.

A method for hip distraction includes positioning a patient on a slide-resisting pad placed on a surgical table; tilting the surgical table so that the patient is in a first degree of inclination; applying a distraction force to a leg of the patient while the patient is in the first degree of inclination so that a hip joint of the patient is distracted, wherein the distraction force is opposed by a combination of a slide-resisting friction force provided by the slide-resisting pad and a gravitational force attributable to the first degree of inclination; reducing the tilt of the surgical table in accordance with a reduction of the distraction force over time so that the patient is in a second degree of inclination; and performing at least a portion of a surgical procedure on the distracted hip joint while the patient is in the second degree of inclination.

A patient positioning device facilitates the placement of a patient in the prone position on the bolsters of a medical table or bed more quickly. The patient positioning device facilitates the surgeon's removal of their arms from underneath the patient once the patient has been properly positioned in the prone position on the medical table or bed (e.g., without shifting the patient out of place). Additionally, the patient positioning device inhibits (e.g., prevents) the surgeon's arms from coming into contact with the patient's skin.

An apparatus is configured for use with a chair having a supporting surface, and includes a bottom member adapted to be placed above the supporting surface of the chair. The bottom member includes a cushioning member in the form of a bladder. The bladder includes at least two internal chambers. A first of the at least two internal chambers extends from a rear edge disposed inwardly proximate a center of the bladder and a second of the at least two internal chambers extends peripherally around three inner sides of the first internal chamber. The apparatus further includes a top member having a bottom surface positioned in confronting relation to the bottom member and a top surface opposite the bottom surface.

A patient transfer system is provided. The patient transfer system comprises a lifting mechanism, an actuator unit attached to the lifting mechanism, two conveyors attached to the actuator unit such that they extend from the actuator unit in a forklift fork-like manner, wherein the conveyors respectively have a conveyor belt and opposite reversing ends reversing the conveyor belt. The actuator unit is configured to move the conveyors such that the reversing ends facing each other are linearly movable towards and apart from each other.