Abstract: A system includes a patient support device and a positioning apparatus. The patient support device includes a first port at a first corner of the patient support device and a second port at a second corner of the patient support device. The first port is configured to coupled to an air outlet to inflate the patient support device and the second port is configured to couple to the air outlet to inflate the patient support device. The positioning apparatus includes a body. The body includes a base wall, a ramp surface, a back wall extending between the base wall and the ramp surface, and a front end opposite the back wall. The body is configured to be placed at least partially underneath the patient support device such that the ramp surface confronts a bottom surface of the patient support device.

Abstract: An inflatable device includes a top sheet, a bottom sheet, a first port, a plurality of passages, and a plurality of gussets. The bottom sheet is coupled to the top sheet along a peripheral edge of the inflatable device. The top sheet and the bottom sheet define a cavity configured to be inflated. The first port is configured to provide access to the cavity and includes a first opening. The plurality of passages extend through the bottom sheet and are configured to permit air flow from the cavity to an exterior of the inflatable device. The plurality of gussets are coupled to the top sheet and the bottom sheet and extend across at least a portion of the cavity and divide the cavity into a plurality of sections.

Abstract: A patient positioning system includes an inflatable patient support device having a width, and a positioning apparatus. The positioning apparatus including a wedge-shaped body, the wedge-shaped body configured to be placed under the inflatable patient support device to support a patient in a desired position, and a tail comprising an elongated piece of material extending from a front end of the wedge-shaped body, wherein a length of the tail is greater than the width of the inflatable patient support device.

Abstract: A nozzle for use with an inflatable device includes a proximal end, a distal end opposite to the proximal end, a body, and a lip. The body is centered on an axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end and defines a central passage. The lip is positioned at the distal end and extends outward from the body along at least a portion of a perimeter of the body. The lip has a non-circular shape around the nozzle and is formed by a first flange extending from a first side of the body and a second flange extending from a second side of the body.

Abstract: A system includes an inflatable device, a pump configured to move air, and an air output hose. The inflatable device includes a top sheet, a bottom sheet disposed beneath the top sheet, a cavity defined by the top sheet and the bottom sheet, a port configured to provide access to the cavity and including an opening, and a retainer coupled to the port and configured to adjust a size of the opening. The pump includes a housing and an air outlet coupled to the housing. The air output hose is removably coupled to the air outlet and includes a nozzle configured to be received within the opening. The nozzle includes a proximal end coupled to the air output hose, a distal end opposite to the proximal end, and a lip positioned at the distal end.

Abstract: A patient support device includes a sheet configured to support an upper body of a patient when the sheet and the upper body of the patient are lifted. The sheet has a plurality of peripheral edges. The plurality of peripheral edges includes a head edge. The patient support device includes a head support connected to a portion of the head edge of the sheet, such that the head support extends outwardly from the sheet. The patient support device further includes one or more head support straps connected to the head support. The head support is configured to support a head of the patient when the one or more head support straps and the head of the patient are lifted.

Abstract: A patient support device includes a sheet configured to be placed beneath the patient in use and a plurality of straps connected to the sheet and configured for use in moving, lifting, turning, and/or positioning the patient. The straps may include one or more retractable straps that each have a stretchable retraction strap connected thereto and configured for retracting the retractable strap. The straps may also include one or more central support straps connected to the sheet in an area positioned between the legs of the patient. The sheet may also include a head support for supporting the patient's head, which head support may also include one or more straps. The straps may be connected to a hoist, which is then used to lift the patient.

Abstract: A patient positioning system includes an inflatable patient support device having a width, and a positioning apparatus. The positioning apparatus including a wedge-shaped body, the wedge-shaped body configured to be placed under the inflatable patient support device to support a patient in a desired position, and a tail comprising an elongated piece of material extending from a front end of the wedge-shaped body, wherein a length of the tail is greater than the width of the inflatable patient support device.

Abstract: A system for use with an inflatable device includes an air output and a nozzle at a distal end of the air output. The nozzle includes a lip extending radially from the nozzle and configured to retain the nozzle in a port of the inflatable device. The lip has a non-circular shape around the nozzle.

Abstract: A patient-positioning wedge includes a base wall, a back wall, and a ramp surface. The base wall has a first end and a second end. The second end is opposite the first end. The back wall has a third end and a fourth end. The fourth end is opposite the third end. The ramp surface extends from the fourth end. The ramp surface includes a first directional stitching material that is configured to resist movement of the patient-positioning wedge in a first direction extending along the ramp surface while facilitating movement of the patient-positioning wedge in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The ramp surface further includes a glide material which is configured to resist movement of the patient-positioning wedge in the first direction and the second direction while facilitating movement of the patient-positioning wedge in a third direction opposite the second direction.

Abstract: An inflatable device includes a top sheet, a bottom sheet, a cavity formed by the top sheet and the bottom sheet, wherein the top sheet and the bottom sheet are coupled together along a peripheral edge, a port in communication with the cavity and with an exterior of the device, and a valve, including a pocket located in a cavity having an entrance opening and an exit opening to deliver air to the cavity. The pocket is formed by a first and a second layer of material and is positioned along a first portion of the peripheral edge. The device further includes a second port in communication with the cavity, and a second valve in communication with the second port and the cavity. The second valve comprises a second pocket located within the cavity and positioned along at least a second portion of the peripheral edge.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a patient transfer system including obtaining an inflatable device, where the device includes a top sheet of material and a bottom sheet of material connected to the top sheet of material defining a cavity therebetween to be inflated. The device further includes a plurality of passages in the bottom sheet extending from the cavity to an exterior of the device, where the passages are configured to permit air to pass from the cavity to the exterior of the device. The device also including a plurality of inflation-limiting members connecting the top sheet and bottom sheet, and an input configured for receiving air to inflate the device. The method further includes providing an absorbent body pad with the inflatable device, the absorbent body pad configured to be positioned between the top sheet of material and a patient positioned on the inflatable device.

Abstract: A system for use with an inflatable device includes an air output and a nozzle at a distal end of the air output. The nozzle includes a lip extending radially from the nozzle and configured to retain the nozzle in a port of the inflatable device. The lip has a non-circular shape around the nozzle.

Abstract: A patient positioning system includes an inflatable patient support device having a width, and a positioning apparatus. The positioning apparatus including a wedge-shaped body, the wedge-shaped body configured to be placed under the inflatable patient support device to support a patient in a desired position, and a tail comprising an elongated piece of material extending from a front end of the wedge-shaped body, wherein a length of the tail is greater than the width of the inflatable patient support device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a patient transfer system including obtaining an inflatable device, where the device includes a top sheet of material and a bottom sheet of material connected to the top sheet of material defining a cavity therebetween to be inflated. The device further includes a plurality of passages in the bottom sheet extending from the cavity to an exterior of the device, where the passages are configured to permit air to pass from the cavity to the exterior of the device. The device also including a plurality of inflation-limiting members connecting the top sheet and bottom sheet, and an input configured for receiving air to inflate the device. The method further includes providing an absorbent body pad with the inflatable device, the absorbent body pad configured to be positioned between the top sheet of material and a patient positioned on the inflatable device.

Abstract: A patient positioning system includes an inflatable patient support device having a width, and a positioning apparatus. The positioning apparatus including a wedge-shaped body, the wedge-shaped body configured to be placed under the inflatable patient support device to support a patient in a desired position, and a tail comprising an elongated piece of material extending from a front end of the wedge-shaped body, wherein a length of the tail is greater than the width of the inflatable patient support device.

Abstract: A patient positioning system includes a patient support device and a positioning apparatus including a body comprising a front end, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, and a ramped surface between the first lateral side and the second lateral side, a tail extending from the front end of the body, the tail comprising an elongated piece of material, and a directional guide material coupled to or integrated with the ramped surface and configured to interface with the patient support device, wherein the directional guide material inhibits relative movement in a first direction between the patient support device and the positioning apparatus more than relative movement in a second direction between the patient support device and the positioning apparatus.

Abstract: An inflatable device includes a top sheet, a bottom sheet, a cavity formed by the top sheet and the bottom sheet, wherein the top sheet and the bottom sheet are coupled together along a peripheral edge, a port in communication with the cavity and with an exterior of the device, and a valve, including a pocket located in a cavity having an entrance opening and an exit opening to deliver air to the cavity. The pocket is formed by a first and a second layer of material and is positioned along a first portion of the peripheral edge. The device further includes a second port in communication with the cavity, and a second valve in communication with the second port and the cavity. The second valve comprises a second pocket located within the cavity and positioned along at least a second portion of the peripheral edge.

Abstract: A valve for an inflatable device includes a pocket configured to be located in a cavity of the inflatable device. The pocket includes an entrance opening to receive air from an air output. The pocket further includes a first layer of material having at least a first aperture, wherein the first aperture is positioned entirely within the first layer of material, a second layer of material having at least a second aperture in fluid communication with the first aperture, wherein the second aperture is positioned entirely within the second layer of material. The first aperture and the second aperture are in fluid communication with the entrance opening and the cavity such that airflow passes through the valve by flowing from the entrance opening into the pocket, and out of the pocket and into the cavity through at least one of the first aperture or the second aperture.

Abstract: A patient positioning system includes a patient support device and a positioning apparatus including a body comprising a front end, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, and a ramped surface between the first lateral side and the second lateral side, a tail extending from the front end of the body, the tail comprising an elongated piece of material, and a directional guide material coupled to or integrated with the ramped surface and configured to interface with the patient support device, wherein the directional guide material inhibits relative movement in a first direction between the patient support device and the positioning apparatus more than relative movement in a second direction between the patient support device and the positioning apparatus.