Abstract: An improved active head/shoulder and neck positioning device for positioning a patient undergoing endotracheal intubation, including: (1) a horseshoe-shaped torso support bladder adapted to be positioned underneath the torso of a patient that provides added stability, (2) a head support bladder affixed to a top surface of the torso support bladder, (3) at least one source of compressed air, and (4) a combined joystick/controller for selectively conducting pressurized air from the source to the torso support bladder and the head support bladder. The torso support bladder expands as it is inflated and it can be vented to an atmosphere for deflation. The head support bladder is positioned for placement beneath the patient's head, and it is operative to elevate the patient's head as the head support bladder is inflated and the headrest thereby expands. The at least one source of compressed air is in fluid communication with the torso support bladder and the head support bladder.

Abstract: A body support for positioning beneath a patient undergoing endotracheal intubation is dimensioned to extend beneath the patient's torso and head while in a substantially upward-facing prone position. An inflatable bladder is adapted to elevate the patient as the bladder is inflated and thereby expands. An expandable headrest is positioned for placement beneath the patient's head. The headrest further includes a head support air bladder which is operative to elevate the patient's head as the head support bladder is inflated and the headrest expands. A source of compressed air is in selective fluid communication by way of valve means with the torso support bladder whereby the patient's torso/head position may be altered to achieve optimal anatomical alignment of the patient's larynx for intubation. The valve means are preferably electromechanical valves which are actuated by thumbswitches located on a housing which is snap-fit to the top of the intubation handle.

Abstract: A patient transfer device includes a top sheet inclined in a head end portion such that a patient's torso is elevated with respect to the feet. The mattress may include relatively narrow chambers in an intermediate portion for increased strength and stability. The mattress may also include a leg separator in a foot end portion, preferably tapered and including one or more inflatable chambers. The mattress may also include a pump mounted directly to the mattress. The transfer device may include a torso and head support accessory having independently inflatable torso and head chambers and inlet and exhaust tubes connected to each chamber. A distribution manifold includes valves connected to each of the inlet and exhaust tubes for controlled inflation and deflation of the chambers. The device may include a control unit connected to the manifold and mountable to an intubation tube for actuation by a user's thumb.

Abstract: A pneumatically controlled intubation mat includes laryngoscope-mounted controls. A body supporting mat is positioned beneath the patient undergoing endotracheal intubation and is dimensioned to extend beneath the patient's torso and head while in a substantially upward-facing prone position. An inflatable bladder is positioned between the base and the mat board which is adapted to elevate the mat board with respect to the base as the bladder is inflated and thereby expands. An expandable headrest is affixed to a top surface of the mat board and is positioned for placement beneath the patient's head. The headrest further includes a head support air bladder which is operative to elevate the patient's head as the head support bladder is inflated and the headrest thereby expands. A source of compressed air is in fluid communication with the torso support bladder and the head support bladder by way of an air distribution manifold.