Abstract: The Automatic Patient Turner is the ultimate in pressure sore prevention by automatically, periodically, and alternately tilting, and then laterally turning an immobile patient from one complete side to the other in a manner similar to, yet gentler and less intrusive than, manual turning, due to the patterned, sequential inflation and deflation of strategically placed inflatables. When the bent knees are perpendicular, being sandwiched between a pair of knee inflatables, they serve as a lever arm in the turning process when pressure is exerted against them by inflated inflatables. This causes the bent knees to move well beyond their perpendicular position in the direction of the turn. With the deflation of the knee inflatables, the bent knees descend laterally pulling the entire body of the patient completely to one side as a back-support pillow inflates, where the patient will lie upon a flat mattress until turned to the other side.

Abstract: The Automatic Patient Turner is the ultimate in pressure sore prevention by automatically, periodically, and alternately tilting, and then laterally turning an immobile patient from one complete side to the other in a manner similar to, yet gentler and less intrusive than, manual turning. This is accomplished by the patterned, sequential inflation and deflation of six strategically-placed inflatables. When the bent knees (1) are perpendicular and sandwiched between a pair of inflated knee inflatables (6 and 7), they can serve as a lever arm in the turning process. When pressure is exerted against the bent knees (1), it causes them to move well beyond their perpendicular position. They then descend in the direction of the turn as the knee inflatables (6 and 7) deflate. The descending knees laterally pull the entire body of the patient completely to the side of the turn as a back-support pillow (8 or 9) inflates.

Abstract: The Automatic Patient Turner is the ultimate in pressure sore prevention by automatically, periodically, and alternately tilting, and then laterally turning an immobile patient 180 degrees, from one complete side to the other in a manner similar to but gentler and less intrusive than manual turning. This is accomplished by the patterned, sequential inflation and deflation of six strategically placed inflatables. When sandwiched between a pair of knee inflatables, the bent knees act as a lever arm in the turning process. The inflation of an elongated inflatable beneath the flexible mattress raises that longitudinal side causing the bent knees to move from a perpendicular position to a 120° angle. Due to the force of gravity, the bent knees descend laterally in the direction of the turn as the knee inflatables deflate. The descending knees pull the entire body completely to the side of the turn as a back-support pillow inflates.

Abstract: This invention will alternately turn an immobile, bedridden patient 180 degrees. It is designed to prevent bedsores and the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. The device consists of five strategically placed inflatables on a flexible mattress assembly strapped to a hospital bed mattress. The knees are bent in a perpendicular, 90° position and sandwiched between a pair of inflated knee bags on top of the flexible mattress. The inflation of one of the elongated air bags beneath the flexible mattress raises that longitudinal side of the mattress to a 45° incline. This causes the knees to move from a 90° angle relative to the flat mattress an additional 45 degrees to a 135° angle. As those air bags deflate, the bent knees descend. Acting as a lever arm, the knees pull the body completely to the side of the turn, while a back support air bag pillow inflates.