Systems and methods for lifting and positioning a patient

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020060912-A1
Application number	US-201916547343-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 21, 2019
Priority date	Aug 21, 2018
Publication date	Feb 27, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

An inflatable device for lifting a patient includes an inflatable body having a top sheet and a bottom sheet attached along opposing side edges and forming at least one cavity there between, and a plurality of connecting members extending outwardly from the opposing side edges of the inflatable device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An inflatable device for lifting a patient, comprising:
an inflatable body comprising a top sheet and a bottom sheet attached along opposing side edges and forming at least one cavity there between; and a plurality of connecting members extending outwardly from the opposing side edges of the inflatable device and configured to be attached to a hoist for lifting the patient.

2 . The inflatable device of claim 1 , wherein the device is configured such that a force acting on the patient is distributed substantially evenly by the inflatable body while the patient is being lifted by the inflatable device attached to the hoist.

3 . The inflatable device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of connecting members are connected to the inflatable body only at the opposing side edges.

4 . The inflatable device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of connecting members is a support loop that extends outwardly from one of the opposing side edges in two locations.

5 . The inflatable device of claim 4 , further comprising at least one additional connecting member coupled to the support loop to form a second support loop having a different length.

6 . The inflatable device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of connecting members is a support strap that extends outwardly from one of the opposing side edges in only one location.

7 . The inflatable device of claim 1 , wherein the inflatable device is configured to be inflated while using the hoist to lift the patient.

8 . The inflatable device of claim 1 , wherein attaching a first combination of the plurality of connecting members allows for lifting the patient in a first configuration and wherein attaching a second combination of the plurality of connecting members to the hoist allows for lifting the patient in a second configuration.

9 . The inflatable device of claim 1 , further comprising a second inflatable cavity, separately inflatable from the cavity of the inflatable body.

10 . A method of lifting a patient, comprising:
positioning an inflatable device on a support surface, wherein the inflatable device comprises:
an inflatable body comprising a top sheet and a bottom sheet attached along opposing side edges and forming at least one cavity there between; and
a plurality of connecting members extending outwardly from the opposing side edges of the inflatable device and configured to be attached to a hoist for lifting the patient; and
attaching the plurality of connecting members to a hoist for lifting the patient;

11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising attaching a first combination of the plurality of connecting members for lifting the patient in a first configuration.

12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising attaching a second combination of the plurality of connecting members to the hoist allows for lifting the patient in a second configuration.

13 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
coupling an air source to the inflatable device; inflating the inflatable device; and lifting the patient from the support surface while the inflatable device is inflated.

14 . The method of claim 13 , comprising continuing the flow of air into the inflatable device to maintain inflation of the inflatable device while lifting the patient.

15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising reducing the flow of air into the inflatable device, such that the reduced flow maintains inflation to a lesser degree.

16 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising re-positioning the patient on the support surface or a second support surface and maintaining the flow of air into the inflatable device while re-positioned on the support surface or a second support surface.

17 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising re-positioning the patient on the support surface or a second support surface and removing the flow of air to the device to deflate the inflatable device.

18 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the inflatable device is configured such that a force acting on the patient is distributed substantially evenly by the inflatable body while the patient is being lifted by the inflatable device attached to the hoist.

19 . A method of lifting a patient, comprising:
positioning an inflatable device on a support surface, wherein the inflatable device comprises:
an inflatable body comprising a top sheet and a bottom sheet attached along opposing side edges and forming at least a first cavity there between;
a second cavity formed in at least a portion of the inflatable device; and
a plurality of connecting members extending outwardly from the opposing side edges of the inflatable device and configured to be attached to a hoist for lifting the patient;
attaching the plurality of connecting members to a hoist for lifting the patient; coupling an air source to the second cavity of the inflatable device; and lifting the patient from the support surface while the second cavity is inflated.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the second cavity is configured such that 10% or less of the patient's total body surface is in contact with the inflated second cavity of the device.

Assignees

• Sage Products Llc

Inventors

• Hollabaugh Curtis L
• Flores Michael P
• Ulreich Daniel R
• Bochat Corey A

Classifications

• A61G7/1015

  Cables, chains or cords · CPC title

• A61G7/1051 Primary

  Flexible harnesses or slings · CPC title

• A61G7/1061

  Yokes · CPC title

• A61G2203/70

  with special adaptations, e.g. for safety or comfort · CPC title

• A61G7/05769 Primary

  with inflatable chambers · CPC title