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.

Abstract: A patient positioning system includes an inflatable patient support device and a positioning apparatus. The positioning apparatus includes a wedge-shaped body configured to be placed under the support device to support a patient in a desired position and a tail including an elongated piece of material extending from the wedge-shaped body.

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 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 system includes an inflatable device having a top sheet of material and a bottom sheet of material, wherein the top sheet of material is connected to the bottom sheet of material thereby 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, wherein the passages are configured to permit air to pass from the cavity to the exterior of the device. The inflatable device further includes a plurality of inflation-limiting members connecting the top sheet to the bottom sheet, and an input configured for receiving air to inflate the device. The system further includes an absorbent body pad configured to be positioned between the top sheet of material and a patient positioned on the inflatable device.

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 system includes an inflatable device having a top sheet of material and a bottom sheet of material, wherein the top sheet of material is connected to the bottom sheet of material thereby 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, wherein the passages are configured to permit air to pass from the cavity to the exterior of the device. The inflatable device further includes a plurality of inflation-limiting members connecting the top sheet to the bottom sheet, and an input configured for receiving air to inflate the device. The system further includes an absorbent body pad configured to be positioned between the top sheet of material and a patient positioned on the inflatable device.

Abstract: An inflatable device includes a top sheet of material and a bottom sheet of material, wherein the top sheet of material is connected to the bottom sheet of material thereby 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, wherein the passages are configured to permit air to pass from the cavity to the exterior of the device and to flow between a bottom surface of the device and a supporting surface upon which the device is configured to rest. The inflatable device further includes a plurality of inflation-limiting members connecting the top sheet to the bottom sheet, and an input configured for receiving air to inflate the 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: An inflatable device for turning or positioning a person in a bed. The inflatable device includes an inflatable body formed by a top sheet and a bottom sheet disposed beneath the top sheet to define a cavity configured to be inflated such that the top sheet forms a top wall of the cavity and the bottom sheet forms a bottom wall of the cavity. The device further includes at least one port having a port opening in fluid communication with the cavity and configured to provide an air input for air for inflating the cavity, wherein the at least one port comprises an elastic member for adjusting a size of the port opening.

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 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 source and an exit opening to deliver air to the cavity. The exit opening is spaced apart from the entrance opening, such that airflow passes through the valve by flowing from the entrance opening, through the pocket, and out through the exit opening to enter the cavity. The pocket may include a second exit opening spaced from the entrance opening and the exit opening, and may include a first branch and a second branch extending away from each other, and wherein the exit opening is located on the first branch and the second exit opening is located on the second branch.