Inflatable Surgical Positioning Aid

• US 20080189864A1
• Filed: 02/12/2008
• Published: 08/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NEXT Medical Products LLC
• Original Assignee: O. R. Comfort, LLC
• Inventors: Marguet, L. Henri, Delgado, Samuel, Sharrock, Nigel E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,802,333 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 5/644
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/12 Rests specially adapted therefor; Arrangements of patient-supporting surfaces rests for the surgeon A61B90/60; restraining devices A61F5/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/121 Head or neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/1235 Arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/1245 Knees, upper or lower legs
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/1255 Shoulders
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/1265 having inflatable chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/1295 having alignment devices for the patient's body
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/32 lying
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/322 lateral
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1021 Inflatable cushions

Abstract

A surgical positioning aid includes a n inflatable pillow with a non-inflatable sleeve. The non-inflatable sleeve has two substantially parallel attachment regions secured to a panel of the inflatable pillow and two open end portions to provide access between the non-inflatable sleeve and the inflatable pillow. The space between the non-inflatable sleeve and the inflatable pillow can be telescoped onto a surgical support post in proximity to an operating table. Air then can be directed into the inflatable pillow so that a patient can be supported relative to the post without creating pressure points on the patient.

Claims

1. An inflatable surgical positioning aid comprising, an inflatable pillow having first and second substantially registered panels secured to one another to define an inflatable enclosure therebetween, means for delivering air into the inflatable enclosure, and a non-inflatable sleeve having first and second spaced apart attachment regions securely affixed to the second panels and defining a post-receiving channel between the non-inflatable sleeve and the inflatable pillow.

2. The inflatable surgical positioning aid of claim 1, wherein the attachment regions for attaching the non-inflatable sleeve to the second panel are substantially parallel to one another.

3. The surgical positioning aid of claim 2, wherein the attachment regions of the non-inflatable sleeve to the second panel are spaced inwardly from peripheral edges of the second panel.

4. The surgical positioning aid of claim 3, wherein the attachment regions of the non-inflatable sleeve are substantially parallel to at least one peripheral edge of the second panel.

5. The surgical positioning aid of claim 2, wherein the non-inflatable sleeve has first and second free edges unconnected to the second panel and extending between the attachment regions of the non-inflatable sleeve.

6. The surgical positioning aid of claim 5, wherein the free edges of the non-inflatable sleeve are concave and are nearer to one another at locations spaced from the attachment regions of the non-inflatable sleeve.

7. The surgical positioning aid of claim 1, wherein the non-inflatable sleeve is disposed substantially symmetrically on the second panel and spaced inwardly from peripheral edges of the second panel.

8. The surgical positioning aid of claim 1, wherein the means for delivering air into the inflatable pillow comprises a fitting extending into the side edge of the pillow aligned parallel to the attachment regions of the non-inflatable sleeve.

9. The surgical positioning aid of claim 1, wherein the first and second panels of the inflatable pillow are joined unitarily to one another along a fold, the means for delivering air into the inflatable pillow being disposed along the fold, the fold being substantially parallel to the attachments regions of the non-inflatable sleeve.

10. A surgical positioning aid for positioning a patient in proximity to a post projection from an operating table, the surgical positioning aid comprising:

an inflatable pillow;

a fitting extending into communication with the inflatable pillow;

a non-inflatable sleeve having first and second attachment regions securely attached to the inflatable pillow, portions of the non-inflatable sleeve between the first and second attachments regions being opposed to the inflatable pillow, but unconnected to the inflatable pillow, the non-inflatable sleeve having free edges substantially opposite one another and extending between the first and second attachments regions, the first and second attachment regions being spaced sufficiently apart to permit the post to be inserted between the non-inflatable sleeve and the inflatable pillow; and

air communication means connectable to the fitting for selectively delivering air through the fitting and into or out of the inflatable pillow.

11. The surgical positioning aid of claim 10, wherein the air communication means is a tourniquets box operative for maintaining a substantially constant air pressure in the inflatable pillow.

12. The surgical position aid of claim 10, wherein the free edges of the non-inflatable sleeve are curved concavely to approach one another at distances spaced from the attachment regions of the non-inflatable sleeve for facilitating insertion of the post into the space between the non-inflatable sleeve and the inflatable pillow.

13. A method for supporting a patient on an operating table during surgery, the method comprising:

mounting a post in proximity to the operating table;

providing an inflatable pillow having first and second panels defining an inflation spaced therebetween, a non-inflatable sleeve secured to the second panel along substantially linear attachment regions aligned substantially parallel to one another at positions spaced inwardly from first and second side edges of the inflatable pillow;

positioning the inflatable pillow relative to the post so that the post is telescoped between the non-inflatable sleeve and the inflatable pillow with the inflatable pillow being disposed between the post and the patient; and

directing a flow of air into the inflatable pillow for supporting a patient relative to the inflatable pillow and the post.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the inflatable pillow includes a fitting extending through one of the edges of the inflatable pillow for directing the flow of air into the inflatable pillow, and wherein the step of telescoping the post between the non-inflatable sleeve and the inflatable pillow comprises orienting the inflatable pillow so that the edge of the inflatable pillow having the fitting is oriented away from a part of the patient that will be subjected to the surgery.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of directing a flow of air into the inflatable pillow comprises maintaining a substantially constant air pressure in the inflatable pillow.