Abstract: A support tray is equipped with a recess for receiving a medical backboard which has a plurality of medical grade gel pads secured thereto to reduce/eliminate the creation of bed sores. Extender wings can be hooked on the lateral edges of the tray to provide additional surface area for larger patients. Undergirding straps are provided to facilitate transport of the assembly when the wings are being utilized.

Abstract: Support pads for reducing the pressure exerted on some portion of the human body are disclosed. A first transparent flexible plastic sheet is bonded to a layer of four-way stretchable polyamide fabric which houses a medical-grade gel. An external surface of the four-way stretchable fabric is coated with urethane to avoid migration of the enclosed gel. This support pad exerts a pressure that is below the level producing venous stasis (0.5 psi).

Abstract: A medical backboard for carrying patients is reinforced with 1? bamboo poles extending substantially the length of the board's body on either side adjacent the handles. This board showed greater stiffness and flexibility than similar boards reinforced with carbon fiber rods.

Abstract: A back support device for heating and stimulating the nerves of a user's back includes a belt having inner and outer coverings, a conformable heat transfer pad having inner and outer coverings joined to each other to form discrete sections that are filled with a particulate heat retention material, a heating element adjacent the outer side of the heat transfer pad, a back support plate adjacent the outer side of the heating element, and at least one nerve stimulator. The nerve stimulator may be formed of a plurality of vibrators, a transcutaneous nerve stimulator, or both. A battery and a controller power and control the heating element and the nerve stimulator. The heat transfer pad and back support plate are preferably of approximately the same shape and size, while the heating element is of a smaller size, permitting the vibrators to contact the heat transfer pad.

Abstract: Improved backboard pads for use in transporting immobilized patients on a backboard while still providing reasonable comfort to the patient include a base pad having with a plurality of gel-filled pads secured to the base pad, the gel-filled pads including first and second scapula pads positioned on either side of the longitudinal axis of the base pad, a buttocks pad between the scapula pads and the lower end of the base pad, a heel pad between the buttocks pad and the lower end of the base pad, and a headrest pad between the scapula pads and the upper end of the base pad. An inflatable lumbar pad is secured to the base pad between the scapula pads and the buttocks pad; and an inflatable knee pad is slidably positioned between the buttocks pad and the heel pad. The gel-filled pads are preferable secured in openings through the base pad.