Abstract
An inflatable positioner includes a low coefficent of friction (COF) on a top surface and a high COF on a bottom surface. The inflatable positioner is slid under the patient and then inflated by an air pump. At least two positioners can be inflated and deflated with the air pump and a timer. A non-inflatable positioner may be inserted into a positioner bag with a high COF outer surface. An inflatable gusseted or non-gusseted positioner may be created from a single sheet of material or from two sheets of material. A tail may be attached to a positioner to allow thereof to be pulled under a patient's body. A strap may be attached to the positioner to allow the positioner to be secured to another object. The sheet of material may be breathable or non-breathable. A plurality of breathable vent perforations are formed through the non-breathable sheet of material.
Claims
1. An inflatable positioner comprising: a positioner body having an upper surface and a lower surface, an inflation inlet is formed in said positioner body; and a tail having a tail portion and an anchor portion, said tail portion extends from said positioner body, said anchor portion is retained on said tail portion.
2. The inflatable positioner of claim 1 wherein: a gusset is formed in said positioner body, said gusset includes a first leg and a second leg, one edge of said first leg extends from one edge of said second leg, a first layer of said positioner body extends from an opposing edge of said first leg, a second layer of said positioner body extends from an opposing edge of said second leg, said first and second legs extend into a space between said first and second layers.
3. The inflatable positioner of claim 1 wherein: said positioner body is fabricated from one of a single sheet of material and two sheets of material.
4. The inflatable positioner of claim 1 wherein: said positioner body is fabricated from one of a breathable material and a non-breathable material, if said positioner body is fabricated from a non-breathable material, a plurality of vent perforations are formed through said non-breathable material.
5. The inflatable positioner of claim 1 wherein: said tail portion is fabricated from one of a breathable material and a non-breathable material, if said tail portion is fabricated from a non-breathable material, a plurality of vent perforations are formed through said non-breathable material.
6. The inflatable positioner of claim 1 wherein: said tail has a length of at least 125 mm.
7. The inflatable positioner of claim 1 wherein: a thickness of said positioner body when uninflated has a thickness of no more than 5 mm thick.
8. The inflatable positioner of claim 1 wherein: said anchor portion is either factory or field removably attached.
9. The inflatable positioner of claim 1 wherein: said tail is wider or narrower than a width of said positioner body.
10. The inflatable positioner of claim 1 wherein: at least one of said upper and lower surfaces have a coefficient of friction of no more than 0.25.
11. An inflatable positioner comprising: a positioner body having an upper surface and a lower surface, an inflation inlet is formed in said positioner body; and a strap extends from said positioner body, wherein said strap is capable of being secured to another object.
12. The inflatable positioner of claim 11 wherein: a gusset is formed in said positioner body, said gusset includes a first leg and a second leg, one edge of said first leg extends from one edge of said second leg, a first layer of said positioner body extends from an opposing edge of said first leg, a second layer of said positioner body extends from an opposing edge of said second leg, said first and second legs extend into a space between said first and second layers.
13. The inflatable positioner of claim 11 wherein: said positioner body is fabricated from one of a single sheet of material and two sheets of material.
14. The inflatable positioner of claim 11 wherein: said positioner body is fabricated from one of a breathable material and a non-breathable material, if said positioner body is fabricated from a non-breathable material, a plurality of vent perforations are formed through said non-breathable material.
15. The inflatable positioner of claim 11 wherein: said strap is fabricated from one of a breathable material and a non-breathable material, if said strap is fabricated from a non-breathable material, a plurality of vent perforations are formed through said non-breathable material.
16. The inflatable positioner of claim 11 wherein: a thickness of said positioner body when uninflated has a thickness of no more than 5 mm thick.
17. The inflatable positioner of claim 11 wherein: at least one of said upper and lower surfaces have a coefficient of friction of no more than 0.25.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wedge shaped inflatable positioner connected to an air pump in accordance with the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a side view of a patient resting on an inflatable positioner having a shape of a half cylinder in accordance with the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an inflatable positioner retained in a positioner bag in accordance with the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an inflatable positioner with a plurality of pressure sensitive adhesive strips retained on a bottom thereof in accordance with the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an inflatable positioner with a positioner tail in accordance with the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a time operated inflation system in accordance with the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a non-inflatable positioner retained in two layers of positioner bags in accordance with the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an inflatable positioner with a positioner tail retained in a tail positioner bag in accordance with the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a compressible non-inflatable positioner retained in a compressible positioner bag with a vacuum device about to apply a vacuum to the compressible positioner bag in accordance with the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a compressible non-inflatable positioner retained in a compressible positioner bag after having a vacuum applied thereto in accordance with the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 11 is a side view of a single sheet of material before it is assembled to make a gusseted positioner without illustrating an air inlet in accordance with the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 12 is a side view of a gusseted positioner body after being assembled and inflated in accordance with the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 13 is an end view of an inflated gusseted positioner in accordance with the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 14 is a side view of an inflated gusseted positioner with a tail in accordance with the present invention.
[0048] FIG. 15 is a side view of an inflated gusseted positioner with a tail and an end view of a patient's torso resting on the inflated gusseted positioner with a tail in accordance with the present invention.
[0049] FIG. 16 is a side view of a folded over single sheet of material before it is assembled to make a pillow shaped positioner without illustrating an air inlet in accordance with the present invention.
[0050] FIG. 17 is a side view of an inflated pillow shaped positioner with a tail in accordance with the present invention.
[0051] FIG. 18 is a top view of a positioner with a strap that can be tethered to a bed frame or other object in accordance with the present invention.
[0052] FIG. 19 is a side view of two sheets of material before assembly to create a gusseted positioner body without illustrating an air inlet in accordance with the present invention.
[0053] FIG. 20 is a side view of two sheets of material before assembly to create a pillow shaped positioner body without illustrating an air inlet in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0054] With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an inflatable positioner 10 connected to an air pump 12 through an air hose 14. The inflatable positioner 10 includes at least one top surface 13 and a bottom surface 15 defining an internal cavity 17. The internal cavity 17 is capable of retaining pressurized air through an inlet 19. The inflatable positioner 10 is shown as having a wedge shape, but other shapes may also be used. The inflatable positioner 10 preferably includes a low coefficent of friction (COF) formed on a top surface 13 and a high COF on a bottom surface 15. The bottom surface 15 will resist movement relative to a mattress or a bed sheet. The top surface 15 will be slippery relative to skin of a patient 100 (or a bedsheet between the inflatable positioner 10 and the skin) to facilitate positioning of the inflatable positioner 10 relative to the patient 100. With reference to FIG. 2, an inflatable positioner 10 having a half cylinder shape is first deflated as slid under the patient 100. The inflatable positioner 10 is then inflated with the air pump 12. A portion of a patient 100 is supported by an inflated inflatable positioner 10.
[0055] With reference to FIG. 4, a pressure sensitive adhesive strip 22 may be added to the bottom surface 15 of the inflatable positioner 10 or replace the high COF surface on the bottom surface 20 of the inflatable positioner 10. A non-stick label 24 is placed on top of the adhesive strip 22 to prevent premature adhesion.
[0056] With reference to FIG. 3, an inflatable positioner 10 is retained in a positioner bag 16. The positioner bag 16 is large enough to completely receive the inflatable positioner 10. The positioner bag 16 contains the inflatable positioner 10. The positioner bag 16 preferably includes a low coefficient of friction (COF) formed on a top surface 18 and a high COF formed on a bottom surface 20. The positioner bag 16 protects the inflatable positioner 10 from contamination. The positioner bag 16 is discarded after each patient use, instead of discarding a more expensive positioner. Further, the positioner bag 16 may be fabricated from a breathable material coated on at least one side to be a germ barrier. The breathable material may be a woven or non-woven fabric. An inside surface of the positioner bag would have a low COF impervious coated surface or a low COF impervious material placed on an inside of the positioner bag to allow easy insertion of the inflatable positioner 10. Finally, a plurality of micro holes 21 may be formed through the top surface 18 of the positioner bag 16. The plurality of micro holes 21 help dry a patient's skin. The plurality of micro holes 21 would leak a little air, while allowing the positioner to be inflated.
[0057] With reference to FIG. 5, a tail inflatable positioner 25 includes the inflatable positioner 10 with a positioner tail 26 extending from a bottom surface 15 of the inflatable positioner 10. The positioner tail 26 includes a length, which is at least as long as a length of the inflatable positioner 10. The positioner tail 26 is used to help insert the tail inflatable positioner 25 under the patient 100 and keep the inflatable positioner 25 in place. A low COF is formed a top surface 30 of the positioner tail 26 and a high COF is formed on a bottom surface 28 of the positioner tail 26. The positioner tail 26 is first inserted under the patient 100 and acts as an extension of the inflatable positioner 10. The positioner tail 26 could be made inflatable.
[0058] With reference to FIG. 6, a time operated inflation system 32 preferably includes an air pump 34, a timer 36 and a diverter valve 38. The time operated inflation system 32 is used to inflate at least one inflatable positioner 10. The diverter valve 38 includes one inlet and at least two outlets. The inlet of the diverter valve 38 is connected to an outlet of the air pump 34. If only one inflatable positioner 10 is used, one of the at least two outlets is preferably covered or sealed. The timer 36 provides electrical power to the diverter valve 38 to shuttle the diverter valve 38 from a first position to a second position. When in the first position, the air pump 32 inflates a first inflatable positioner 10 through a first outlet of the diverter valve 38. When in the second position, the air pump 32 inflates a second inflatable positioner 10 (if connected) through a second outlet of the diverter valve 38. The timer 36 may be programmed to provide a preferable inflation time between 10 minutes to 3 hours. It is preferable to have an alarm sound if the air pressure to one of the inflatable positioners 10 is too low.
[0059] With reference to FIG. 7, non-inflatable positioners may be preferred over inflatable positioners by some caregivers or health care facilities. The non-inflatable positioners are made of foam, gel, or other materials. A non-inflatable positioner 40 is inserted into a high COF positioner bag 42 with an outer surface having a high COF. The high COF positioner bag 42 is inserted into a low COF positioner bag 44 having an outer surface with a low COF. After the low COF positioner bag 44 is inserted under the patient, the low COF positioner bag 44 is removed to expose the high COF bag 42. The high COF positioner bag 42 performs two functions. First, the high COF positioner bag keeps the non-inflatable positioner 40 clean, protecting it from germs, so it can be reused. Second, the high COF outer surface of the high COF positioner bag 42 holds it in place. The high COF positioner bag 42 should be kept sealed as long as it is used with the same patient. The low COF positioner bag 44 can be reused with the same patient by re-inserting the high COF positioner bag 42 and the non-inflatable positioner 40. The high and low COF positioner bags 42, 44 should be properly discarded between patients.
[0060] With reference to FIG. 8, a tail positioner bag 46 includes the positioner bag 16 with a tail bag 48 extending from one end of the inflatable positioner 10. The tail bag 48 is used to help insert the tail positioner bag 46 under the patient 100 and keep the tail positioner bag 46 in place. A low COF is formed a top surface 52 of the tail bag 48 and a high COF is formed on a bottom surface 50 of the tail bag 48. The tail inflatable positioner 25 is inserted into the tail positioner bag 46. The tail bag 48 is first inserted under the patient 100 and acts as an extension of the tail positioner bag 46. Additionally, there may be two tail bags, an inner bag would have a high COF outer surface and an outer bag would have a low COF outer surface. The tail inflatable positioner 25 is inserted into the inner bag and then the inner bag is inserted into outer bag, similar to FIG. 7.
[0061] With reference to FIG. 9, a compressible positioner system 51 includes a compressible non-inflatable positioner 54 retained in a compressible positioner bag 56. The compressible positioner bag 56 includes an inner cavity 57, a port 58, which allows air to be evacuated from the inner cavity 57 through the port 58. The port 58 is sealed with a seal cap 60 to capture vacuum. A vacuum device 62 is used to create a vacuum inside the compressible positioner bag 56 and compress the compressible non-inflatable positioner 54 as shown in FIG. 10. A low COF surface is formed on a top surface 64 of the compressible positioner bag 56 and a high COF surface is formed on a bottom surface 66 of the compressible positioner bag 56. The compressed compressible positioner bag 56 is placed under a patient and the seal cap 60 removed to allow the compressible non-inflatable positioner 54 to return to its original shape.
[0062] The positioner bags 16, 25, 42, 44, 46 and 56 are preferably fabricated from an economical material, such as plastic film. The positioner bags 16, 25, 42, 44, 46 and 56 are discarded after one patient use. A preferred value of static low coefficient is less than 0.25. A preferred value of static high friction is greater than 0.45.
[0063] FIG. 11 shows a side view of a sheet of material 1100. With reference to FIG. 12, the sheet of material 1100 will be seamed to create a gusseted positioner 1200. The gusseted positioner 1200 includes a gusseted end 1104 and a non-gusseted end 1106, which is located on an opposing end of the gusseted positioner 1200. The gusseted end 1104 includes a first leg 1108 and a second leg 1110. One edge of the first leg 1108 extends from one edge of the second leg 1110. A first layer 1112 extends from an opposing edge of the first leg 1108. A second layer 1114 extends from an opposing edge of the second leg 1110. The first and second legs 1108, 1100 extend into a space between the first and second layers 1112, 1114, when a gusseted positioner body 1204 is uninflated. An inflation inlet 1202 is preferably formed in the gusseted end 1104 of the gusseted positioner 1200. The inflation inlet 1202 is preferably an inflation tube, but other suitable inflation inlets may also be used. An end seam 1206 is formed on the non-gusseted end 1106 to seal thereof. With reference to FIG. 13, side seams 1304, 1306 are formed on opposing sides of the sheet of material 1100 to form the positioner body 1204. Once all seams have been, made the gusseted positioner body 1204 may be inflated. The gusseted positioner 1200 when in inflated has a wedge shape. However, the first leg 1108, the gusseted end 1104 and the second layer 1114 may be fabricated from three separate pieces of material.
[0064] With reference to FIG. 14, a gusseted positioner with tail 1400 includes the gusseted positioner 1200 and a tail 1402. The tail 1402 extends from the non-gusseted end 1106 of the gusseted positioner 1200. The tail 1402 includes a tail portion 1404 and an anchor portion 1406. One end of the tail portion 1404 extends from the non-gusseted end 1106 and the anchor portion 1406 extends from an opposing end of the tail portion 1404. The tail portion 1404 may be a narrow strap or wider than a width of the positioner body 1204 or any width in between. A length of the tail portion 1404 and a distance of the anchor portion 1406 is field adjustable. The anchor portion 1406 may be field attached and detached. FIG. 15 shows an end view of a patient's torso 1500 and head 1502 resting on a side view of the inflated gusseted positioner with a tail 1400. A bed 1504 or the like supports the inflated gusseted positioner. An incontinence pad may be placed between the patient and the gusseted positioner with tail 1400.
[0065] FIG. 16 shows a side view of a folded-over sheet of material 1600 with a closed end 1602. With reference to FIG. 17, the folded over sheet of material 1600 will be seamed on three open sides to create a positioner body 1704 for a positioner with a tail 1700. An inflation inlet 1702 is preferably formed in the closed end 1602 of the inflatable positioner 1700. A side seam 1706 seals one of the open sides. The positioner body 1704 includes a substantial pillow shape. With reference to FIG. 18, the positioner with tail 1700 includes the inflatable positioner 1700 and a tail 1708. The tail 1708 includes a tail portion 1710 and an anchor portion 1712. One end of the tail portion 1710 extends from an end opposite the closed end 1602 and the anchor portion 1712 extends from an opposing end of the tail portion 1710. The tail portion 1710 may be a narrow strap or wider than a width of the positioner body 1704 or any width in between. Preferably, the tail portion 1710 has a length of at least 125 mm. A length of the tail portion 1710 and a distance of the anchor portion 1712 is field adjustable. The anchor portion 1712 may be field attached and detached.
[0066] FIG. 18 shows a positioner 1200, 1700. A strap 1800 extends from the positioner body 1204, 1704. The strap 1800 extends from an end opposite the inflation inlet 1202, 1702. The strap 1800 may be tethered to a bed frame or other device to hold the positioner 1200, 1700 in place. The strap 1800 may be tied, or equipped with hook and loop fasteners, a snap, buckle or other attachment means to tether the strap 1800 to another object. A loop 1802 and a hook 1804 may be formed on the strap 1800. A plurality of vent perforations 1806 may be formed in the positioner 1200 or 1700 to let air flow out. If the plurality of vent perforations 1806 are formed in the positioner 1200, 1700, a pump must be connected to the inflation inlet 1202, 1702. The plurality of vent perforations 1806 have a preferred size of about 0.5 mm diameter. A plurality of vent perforations 1806 are also formed in the strap 1800 if an air passage is formed in the strap 1800 and if the strap material does not breathe. The positioner body 1204, 1704 may be fabricated from a breathable material, which would not require the plurality of vent perforations 1806.
[0067] FIG. 19 shows a side view of a top sheet of material 1900 positioned above a bottom sheet of material 1902. A gusset 1904 is formed in an end of the bottom sheet of material 1902. A perimeter of the top and bottom sheets of material 1900, 1902 are seamed to each other to form a gusseted positioner body. A non-gusseted end 1906 is created on an end opposite the gusset 1904. An air inlet is not shown. FIG. 20 shows a side view of a top sheet of material 2000 positioned above a bottom sheet of material 2002. A perimeter of the top and bottom sheets of material 2000, 2002 are seamed to each other to form a positioner body. The positioner body will have a substantial pillow shape. An air inlet is not shown.
[0068] The sheet of material 1100, 1600, 1900, 1902, 2000 and 2002 have a preferred coefficient of friction, which is no greater 0.25. If the sheet of material 1100, 1600, 1900, 1902, 2000 and 2002 or strap 1800 is breathable, the material preferably has a Moisture Vapor Transfer Rate measured by ASTM E96 procedure B of 500 grams/square meter/day or greater. An uninflated positioner body 1204, 1704 preferably has a thickness of no greater than 5 mm.
[0069] While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
