Air-bearing patient transfer system
First Claim
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1. A transfer system comprising:
- an air-bearing support having first and second longitudinal sections with a split extending therebetween, the split adapted for at least partially separating the first and second longitudinal sections;
a port in flow communication with the first and second longitudinal sections, the port configured for inflation of the air-bearing support for transfer of a body thereon; and
a selective coupling extending along the split between the first and second longitudinal sections, the selective coupling configured to attach the first and second longitudinal sections together for transfer of the body on the air-bearing support, and to at least partially detach the first and second longitudinal sections for removal of the air-bearing support from beneath the body;
wherein the selective coupling comprises a selectively releasable seam extending along the split between the longitudinal sections from a proximal end of the air-bearing support toward a distal end of the air-bearing support, the releasable seam configured to selectively detach the longitudinal sections at the proximal end and to separate the longitudinal sections along the split from the proximal end toward the distal end.
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Abstract
A transfer system includes an air-bearing support with first and second longitudinal sections. A port is provided in flow communication with the first and second longitudinal sections, and configured for inflation of the air-bearing support for transfer of a patient or other body. A selective coupling extends between the first and second longitudinal sections, adapted to attach the first and second sections together for transfer of the body on the air-bearing support, and to at least partially detach the first and second longitudinal sections for separation and removal, e.g., upon deflation of the patient support, after the transfer is accomplished.
27 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A transfer system comprising:
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an air-bearing support having first and second longitudinal sections with a split extending therebetween, the split adapted for at least partially separating the first and second longitudinal sections; a port in flow communication with the first and second longitudinal sections, the port configured for inflation of the air-bearing support for transfer of a body thereon; and a selective coupling extending along the split between the first and second longitudinal sections, the selective coupling configured to attach the first and second longitudinal sections together for transfer of the body on the air-bearing support, and to at least partially detach the first and second longitudinal sections for removal of the air-bearing support from beneath the body; wherein the selective coupling comprises a selectively releasable seam extending along the split between the longitudinal sections from a proximal end of the air-bearing support toward a distal end of the air-bearing support, the releasable seam configured to selectively detach the longitudinal sections at the proximal end and to separate the longitudinal sections along the split from the proximal end toward the distal end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A patient transfer apparatus comprising:
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an air-bearing patient support having a transverse section with first and second longitudinal sections extending therefrom; a port in flow communication with the first and second longitudinal sections via the transverse section, the port configured for inflation of the air-bearing patient support for transfer of a patient on a top surface thereof; a plurality of flow apertures disposed on a bottom surface of the air-bearing patient support, the flow apertures configured for airflow from an interior of the air-bearing patient support during the transfer; and a selectively engaged seam extending between the first and second longitudinal sections from a proximal end of the air-bearing support toward a distal end of the air-bearing support, the selectively engaged seam configured to maintain attachment of the longitudinal sections along the selectively engaged seam for transfer of the patient upon inflation on the air-bearing support, and for selective detachment of the longitudinal sections from the proximal end toward the distal end for separation and removal of the longitudinal sections upon deflation of the air-bearing support; wherein the selectively engaged seam is configured for separation and removal of the longitudinal sections to opposing sides of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A transfer system comprising:
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an air-bearing support having first and second longitudinal sections with a split extending therebetween, the split adapted for at least partially separating the first and second longitudinal sections; a port in flow communication with the first and second longitudinal sections, the port configured for inflation of the air-bearing support for transfer of a body thereon; and a selective coupling extending along the split between the first and second longitudinal sections, the selective coupling configured to attach the first and second longitudinal sections together for transfer of the body on the air-bearing support, and to at least partially detach the first and second longitudinal sections for removal of the air-bearing support from beneath the body; wherein the selective coupling comprises a selectively releasable seam extending along the split between the longitudinal sections from a proximal end of the air-bearing support toward a distal end of the air-bearing support, the releasable seam configured to selectively detach the longitudinal sections at the proximal end and to separate the longitudinal sections along the split from the proximal end toward the distal end; and one or more apertures disposed along the selectively releasable seam and configured for transverse airflow across the split between the first and second longitudinal sections upon inflation thereof.
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Specification