Inflatable Trendelenburg Transfer and Pressure Management Apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus with a high coefficient friction pad and an inflatable base for use in connection with transfer and pressure management. The inflatable base has one or more low coefficient friction areas and has one or more high coefficient friction areas disposed thereon. The base has one or more chambers capable of being disposed in fluid communication with a source of fluid for inflating the base. Inflation of the one or more chambers causes the low coefficient friction areas to contact the surgical table and deflation of the base causes the low coefficient friction areas to be removed from contact with the surgical table and casuses the high coefficient friction areas to contact the surgical table.

Claims

1. An apparatus for positioning a patient in a gravity dependent surgical position on a surgical table, the apparatus comprising: a high coefficient friction foam pad having a top surface and a bottom surface; an inflatable base, the base having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface disposed beneath and supporting the bottom surface of the foam pad, the bottom surface of the base having one or more low coefficient friction areas and having one or more high coefficient friction areas disposed thereon, the base having one or more chambers capable of being disposed in fluid communication with a source of fluid for inflating the base, wherein inflation of the one or more chambers causes the low coefficient friction areas to contact the surgical table and deflation of the base causes the low coefficient friction areas to be removed from contact with the surgical table and the high coefficient friction areas to contact the surgical table; a plurality of handles extending laterally from opposite sides of the apparatus; and, one or more straps extending laterally from opposite sides of the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more inflatable baffles in fluid communication with the chambers.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chambers are disposed around the periphery of the apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises a top layer of material having an outside surface facing outward and an inside surface facing inward and downward toward the surgical table.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the base further comprises a bottom layer of material having an outside surface facing the surgical table and an inside surface facing upward toward the top layer.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the inside surface of the top layer of the base and the inside surface of the bottom layer of the base are disposed in facing relation and are disposed in contact with each other when the base is deflated, the inside surface of the top layer and the inside surface of the bottom layer having high coefficient friction surfaces such that engagement of the surfaces prevents the top layer of the base from sliding relative to the bottom layer of the base.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pad comprises a polyurethane foam.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pad comprises a polyurethane foam having 1.8-6 PCF density with a 24-45 ILD (indentation load deflection).

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pad comprises a pneumatic foam.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pad is permanently affixed to the base.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pad is removably attached to the base.

12. An apparatus for positioning a patient in a gravity dependent surgical position on a surgical table, the apparatus comprising: a high coefficient friction pneumatic foam pad having a top surface and a bottom surface; an inflatable base, the base having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface disposed beneath and supporting the bottom surface of the foam pad, the bottom surface having one or more low coefficient friction areas and having one or more high coefficient friction areas disposed thereon, the base having one or more chambers capable of being disposed in fluid communication with a source of fluid for inflating the base, wherein inflation of the one or more chambers causes the low coefficient friction areas to contact the surgical table and deflation of the base causes the low coefficient friction areas to be removed from contact with the surgical table and the high coefficient friction areas to contact the surgical table; one or more baffles disposed in fluid communication with the one or more chambers; one or more inflation ports on the apparatus disposed in fluid communication with the source of fluid for inflating the base; a plurality of handles extending laterally from opposite sides of the apparatus; and, one or more straps extending laterally from opposite sides of the apparatus.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the chambers are disposed around the periphery of the apparatus.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the base further comprises a top layer of material having an outside surface facing outward and an inside surface facing inward and downward toward the surgical table.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the base further comprises a bottom layer of material having an outside surface facing the surgical table and an inside surface facing upward toward the top layer.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the inside surface of the top layer of the base and the inside surface of the bottom layer of the base are disposed in facing relation and are disposed in contact with each other when the base is deflated, the inside surface of the top layer and the inside surface of the bottom layer having high coefficient friction surfaces such that engagement of the surfaces prevents the top layer of the base from sliding relative to the bottom layer of the base.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pad comprises a polyurethane foam.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pad comprises a polyurethane foam having 1.8-6 PCF density with a 24-45 ILD (indentation load deflection).

19. An apparatus for positioning a patient in a gravity dependent surgical position on a surgical table, the apparatus comprising: a high coefficient friction foam pad having a top surface and a bottom surface; an inflatable base, the base having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface disposed beneath and supporting the bottom surface of the foam pad, the bottom surface of the base having one or more low coefficient friction areas and having one or more high coefficient friction areas disposed thereon, the base having one or more chambers capable of being disposed in fluid communication with a source of fluid for inflating the base, wherein inflation of the one or more chambers causes the low coefficient friction areas to contact the surgical table and deflation of the base causes the low coefficient friction areas to be removed from contact with the surgical table and causes the high coefficient friction areas to contact the surgical table.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising: a first flexible wing extending from a first side of the apparatus, the first flexible wing having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface having one of a hook and loop fastening material disposed thereon, a second flexible wing extending from the first side of the apparatus, the second flexible wing having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface having one of a hook and loop fastening material disposed thereon, wherein the first and second flexible wings are configured such that the second flexible wing is capable of being wrapped upward around the arm of the patient to expose the one of a hook and loop fastening material on its bottom surface and the first flexible wing is capable of being wrapped over the second flexible wing such that the one of a hook and loop fastening material on the bottom surface of the first flexible wing engages with the one of a hook and loop fastening material on the bottom surface of the second flexible wing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

[0050] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the base of the apparatus.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the base of the apparatus in the deflated state.

[0052] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the base in the inflated state.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the base in the inflated state.

[0054] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention with arm adduction.

[0055] FIG. 8 is bottom plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7.

[0056] FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 in an inflated state.

[0057] FIG. 10 is another top perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0058] At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like reference numerals are intended to identify the same structural elements, portions or surfaces consistently throughout the several drawing figures, as such elements, portions or surfaces may be further described or explained by the entire written specification, of which this detailed description is an integral part. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, debris, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this invention. As used in the following description, the terms horizontal, vertical, left, right, up and down, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof, (e.g., horizontally, rightwardly, upwardly, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms inwardly and outwardly generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or of rotation, as appropriate.

[0059] Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, one embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus 20 for moving a patient before, during, and after a surgical procedure on a surgical table in a surgical theater. The apparatus 20 may be provided with a high coefficient friction pad 23 having a top surface 26 and a bottom surface 29 disposed opposite from the top surface 26. The pad 23 provides a support surface for a patient. The pad 23 may be constructed of a polyurethane foam commonly referred to as a pneumatic foam. A fast recovery, compressible and resilient foam provides a high degree of traction and support for the patient during gravity dependent positions on the surgical table.

[0060] The pad 23 of the present invention may comprise a pneumatic foam that is a foam that remains flexible at low temperatures in contrast to memory foam. The foam remains flexible at low temperatures because of its conventional foam chemistry (non-viscoelastic). The foam improves pressure reduction in cooler environments like the operating room and can function without efficacy loss across a temperature gradient of 0 to 100 degrees F. The foam may comprise a polyurethane foam with the following ingredients: polyether, polyol MDI, water, silicone, surfactant, amine, catalyst blue and pigment. The pneumatic foam may comprise a polyurethane foam available by product number HRJZ12250BUM from Rogers Foam Corporation in Somerville, MA. The foam may have a density of 2.35-2.65 pounds per cubic foot (PCF). The foam may have a 25% IFD (15?15?9) of 12-17. Additional properties may include: Tensile psl=6 (min.); Elongation %=120 (min); Tear, ppi=0.5 (min); Comfort factor=1.6 (min); Hysteresis %=25 (max); and ball rebound 20-25%.

[0061] The bottom surface 29 of the pad 23 is disposed above and supported by a base 32 (FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 1, the pad 23 may be disposed directly on the base 32 with no layers in between. The apparatus 20 may be provided with a plurality of handles 35a-d and 36a-d (FIG. 2) extending from opposite sides 65, 68 of the apparatus 20. The apparatus 20 may also be provided with one or more lateral straps 38a, 38b that may be used for securing the apparatus 20 in position on the surgical table, for example, by attaching the lateral straps 38a, 38b to the rails of the surgical table.

[0062] The base 32 may be made of a sturdy, flexible material. The material may be a nonwoven layered material such as SMS (spun-melt-spun), similar celluloid material, or the like. The handles 35a-d and 36a-d may be formed by loops of material attached to the sides 65, 68 of the base 32. The handles 35a-d and 36a-d are sized to receive the hand of a provider such that a provider on each side of the device can grasp the handles 35a-d or the handles 36a-d with their hands in order to move the base 32 along the length of the surgical table to position or re-position the patient as necessary during a surgical procedure. Alternatively, two providers on each side can each grab a pair of handles to move heavier patients. The base 32 has a top surface 33 (FIG. 3) and a bottom surface 34 (FIG. 4).

[0063] The base 32 may be provided with a reinforcing substrate sheet (not shown) to provide additional structural support for the pad 23. The reinforcing substrate sheet may be constructed of a condensed foam or biodegradable cardboard piece that may be inserted between layers of the material that comprise the base 32.

[0064] The apparatus 20 with a pneumatic foam pad 23 is preferable to foam by itself because the extra support provided by the combination of the base 32 and the foam pad 23 prevents the foam from bunching up under the patient when lifting and/or repositioning the patient. It also allows the provider to pull back in case the patient was not positioned correctly. The apparatus 20 provides structure so that the foam pad 23 does not elongate, tear, or create laxity during movement or positioning of the patient in gravity dependent positions.

[0065] A pair of inlet ports 41, 44 may be provided at one end of the apparatus 20. The ports 41, and 44 may have a valve disposed thereon for connecting to a fluid source such that the fluid is in communication with a chambers 90, 93, 96, and 99 and a network of baffles 102, 105, 108, 111, 114, and 117, defined in the base 32. The inflation and deflation of the chambers 90-99 and baffles 102-108 are described in greater detail herein. The fluid may be used for inflating and deflating portions of the base for heating and pressure management purposes or for moving the patient on the surgical table.

[0066] In one embodiment, the present invention allows the user to move both pad 23 and patient simultaneously, allowing them to always be placed at the top of the surgical table for airway management, and then easily moved to lithotomy via manual lifting and sliding or via a lifting apparatus.

[0067] The present invention may have reinforced structural material with low friction and high enough strength needed to reduce the impact of sheer forces or sliding in the event a low friction material is under the pad. This allows the current design to be used with a typical hover device. The current embodiments mechanical anchors would be placed within the hover products existing handle structure and to the surgical tables bedrail, mattress or table itself, thus allowing the existing moveable pad lift system to serve the structural utility needed to reduce the impact of sheer forces from sliding.

[0068] Turning to FIGS. 3-6, underneath the pad 23, the base 32 may be provided with recessed high coefficient friction material areas 71, 74, 77, 80, 83 and 86 that move away from engagement with the surgical table when the base 32 is inflated to move a patient. When the base 32 is inflated, chambers 90, 93, 96, 99 and baffles 102, 105, 108, 11, 114, and 117 are inflated such that low coefficient friction areas covering the chambers 90-99 and baffles 102-117 extend outward and come into contact with the surgical table to provide for sliding and movement due to the low coefficient friction surfaces. Additional baffles 150, 153 (FIG. 6) may extend substantially perpendicular to the remaining baffles. When the base 32 is deflated, the high coefficient friction areas 71-86 reengage with the table and dramatically reduce traditional general low friction potential for sliding.

[0069] In use, while the base 32 is inflated the friction is reduced to the point of being able to slide patient. When the base 32 is inflated, the surfaces 71-86 that make contact with the surgical table that act as high friction brakes are lifted off and disengage with the surgical mat/mattress/table top.

[0070] While the base 32 is deflated, the friction surfaces 71-86 on the bottom of the apparatus 20 re-engage with the surgical mat/mattress/table tap and prevent the apparatus 20 from sliding.

[0071] While the base 32 is deflated, friction surfaces within the base 32 prevent the top fabric surface 33 that makes contact with the patient from sliding relative to the bottom fabric surface 34 that makes contact with the surgical table top. As a result, the slack created by the top and bottom fabric surface is prevented from sliding in relation to each other as they are stuck together until inflation.

[0072] This interior friction surface prevents the patient from sliding with the top fabric of the apparatus 20 once the apparatus 20 is deflated and fixed into position and the table top is tilted/inclined in any direction. After deflating, the apparatus 20 is locked into place on the surgical table and the patient is prevented from sliding any further due to the interior high friction surfaces.

[0073] Another embodiment of the invention allows controlled selective inflation using ambient air or other gas (such as but not limited to Nitrogen (N2), clean dry air (CDA), Oxygen (02), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), etc.) or fluid conveyed to desired sections/areas of the apparatus 20 needed to reduce pressure perioperatively to reduce tissue injury potential. This inflation pressure would be set low enough to manipulate tissue forces between the patient and the surgical table without impacting the surgical field or internal areas of surgical care and exposure.

[0074] Another embodiment allows for air or other fluid to cool or warm the patient via separate ports to any matter of internal bladders placed within the apparatus 20. This configuration allows for patient cooling or warming that would support the surgical procedure.

[0075] The present invention may also provide a combined utility of patient transfer and patient tissue injury reduction, while selectively reducing or increasing the required force to lift or slide a patient as desired.

[0076] The foam pad 23 may be attached to the base 32 by pressure sensitive adhesive or spray adhesives or any other attachment method as will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure. A high friction polyurethane or pneumatic foam pad 23 may be joined to the nonwoven base 32 via spray adhesive or pressure sensitive adhesive. All of the adhesives are FDA approved.

[0077] The present invention provides a combined element allowing the user to select desired high friction or low friction function of the bottom surface of the inflatable pad for use in facilitating ease of lifting/sliding a patient during positioning or affixing the patient in place during a gravity dependent positioning tilt of the surgical table. This combination allows for control of patient positioning needed to move a patient from stretcher to table, and inter-station changes on the surgical table needed for anesthesia airway access or lithotomy.

[0078] The present invention provides a combined element of a modular high friction material system with a reusable inflatable transfer device where the upper modular pad has a series of drapes needed to preserve the cleanliness of the underlying inflatable device so staff can use after surgery to transfer the patient back to the stretcher. The upper pad may be removable by rolling the patient with the pad's handles back and forth to remove the pad, then placing patient supine on the underlying inflatable product to transfer to the stretcher.

[0079] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a combined element of an integrated or removable upper modular patient support pad and an inflatable transfer device with a series of inner bladder chambers or baffles that allows selective air flow needed to minutely change the patient's pressure interaction with the surgical table, thus reducing pressure injury potential.

[0080] Yet another advantage of the invention is that it provides a combined or separate element of an inflatable patient transfer device that can be used as an intermittent pressure management utility device under patients not undergoing gravity dependent or omnidirectional bed rotation, or when the patient is supine using ambient air or other gas (such as but not limited to Nitrogen (N2), clean dry air (CDA), Oxygen (O2), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), etc.) or liquid of desired sections/areas of the device needed to reduce pressure perioperatively needed to reduce tissue injury potential.

[0081] Also, the invention provides a combined or separate element of an inflatable transfer patient device that is used to warm or cool the patient during surgery.

[0082] Turning to FIGS. 7-10, a first flexible wing 200 may extend from the first side 65 of the apparatus 20. The first flexible wing 200 has a top surface 203 (FIG. 10) and a bottom surface 206. The bottom surface 206 may be provided with one of a hook and loop fastening material 209. The hook and loop fastening material 209 may be disposed in strips attached to the bottom surface 206. A second flexible wing 212 also may extend from the first side 65 of the apparatus 20. The second flexible wing 212 has a top surface 215 and a bottom surface 218. The bottom surface 215 may be provided with one of a hook and loop fastening material 221. The one of hook and loop fastening material 209 is configured to engage with the one of a hook and loop fastening material 221.

[0083] The first and second flexible wings 200, 212 are configured such that the second flexible wing 212 is capable of being wrapped upward around the arm of the patient to expose the one of a hook and loop fastening material 221 on its bottom surface 218. The first flexible wing 200 is capable of being wrapped over the second flexible wing 212 such that the one of a hook and loop fastening material 209 on the bottom surface 206 of the first flexible wing 200 engages with the one of a hook and loop fastening material 221 on the bottom surface 218 of the second flexible wing 212. First and second flexible wings 200, 212 may also extend from the opposite side 68 of the apparatus.

[0084] The present invention contemplates that many changes and modifications may be made. Therefore, while the presently-preferred form of the inflatable Trendelenburg and pressure management apparatus has been shown and described, and several modifications and alternatives discussed, persons skilled in this art will readily appreciate that various additional changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined and differentiated by the following claims.