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: An apparatus for turning and positioning a patient includes a sheet having a top and a bottom surface, a first handle coupled to the sheet proximate a first side edge, and a second handle coupled to the sheet proximate a second side edge, opposite the first side edge. A first portion of the sheet is configured to be placed underneath a patient and a second portion of the sheet is configured to be wrapped on top of the patient. The first handle and the second handle are longitudinally offset such that when the first handle and the second handle are pulled across one another, the first side edge is positioned beneath the second handle and the second side edge is positioned beneath the first handle. Pulling the first handle across the second handle and across the top of the patient rolls the patient onto the second portion.

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.

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 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: An apparatus is configured for use with a chair having a supporting surface, and includes a bottom member having a cushioning member, the bottom member adapted to be placed above the supporting surface. The bottom member has a rear edge adapted to be placed proximate a rear of the chair and a front edge opposite the rear edge. The apparatus further includes a top member having a bottom surface positioned in confronting relation to the bottom member and a top surface opposite the bottom surface. The top member and the bottom member are connected to each other along at least one of the front and rear edges, and at least a portion of the top member is slidable with respect to the bottom member. The apparatus further includes a second cushioning member connected to a rear end of the apparatus and adapted to extend upward from the rear end.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured for use with a chair having a supporting surface, and includes a cushioning member adapted to be placed above the supporting surface, a bottom sheet connected to the cushioning member and having an engagement surface opposite the cushioning member, a top sheet having a bottom surface positioned in confronting relation to the engagement surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface, and a selective gliding assembly positioned between the top and bottom sheets. The top sheet has at least one end connected to the bottom sheet, and the top sheet further has a slip resistant material positioned on the top surface. The selective gliding assembly includes engagement members positioned on the engagement surface and on the bottom surface of the top sheet, and the engagement members engage each other to resist forward sliding of the top sheet and to permit rearward sliding of the top sheet.

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.

Abstract: A patient support device includes an inflatable body having a top sheet, a bottom sheet, and 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. The device further includes a port formed at the peripheral edge to permit inflation of the cavity and configured for connection to an air output device for inflation of the cavity. The port includes an opening configured to receive a portion of the air output device and a strap configured to wrap around at least a portion of the opening to retain the portion of the air output device within the opening. The strap is configured to adjust the size of the opening to retain the portion of the air output device.

Abstract: A patient support device includes an inflatable body having a top sheet, a bottom sheet, and 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. The device further includes a port formed at the peripheral edge to permit inflation of the cavity and configured for connection to an air output device for inflation of the cavity. The port includes an opening configured to receive a portion of the air output device and a strap configured to wrap around at least a portion of the opening to retain the portion of the air output device within the opening. The strap is configured to adjust the size of the opening to retain the portion of the air output device.

Abstract: A patient positioning system for use with a patient on a bed includes an inflatable patient support device, and optionally, other components such as one or more wedges and/or an absorbent pad. The device includes top and bottom sheets, where the top sheet is connected to the bottom sheet to define a cavity, such that the top and bottom sheets form top and bottom walls of the cavity in use. The device further has passages extending from the cavity to an exterior of the device, through the bottom sheet, and gussets connected to the top and bottom sheets and extending across the cavity. The passages permit air to pass from the cavity to the exterior of the device and to flow between the bottom surface of the device and the surface supporting the device. Selective glide assemblies may be used to resist sliding of these components in certain directions.

Abstract: A patient positioning system for use with a patient on a bed includes an inflatable patient support device, and optionally, other components such as one or more wedges and/or an absorbent pad. The device includes top and bottom sheets, where the top sheet is connected to the bottom sheet to define a cavity, such that the top and bottom sheets form top and bottom walls of the cavity in use. The device further has passages extending from the cavity to an exterior of the device, through the bottom sheet, and gussets connected to the top and bottom sheets and extending across the cavity. The passages permit air to pass from the cavity to the exterior of the device and to flow between the bottom surface of the device and the surface supporting the device. Selective glide assemblies may be used to resist sliding of these components in certain directions.

Abstract: A system for use with a bed having a frame and a supporting surface includes a sheet having a bottom surface configured to be placed above the supporting surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface, the sheet having a sheet engagement member positioned on the bottom surface; and a wedge comprising a wedge body having a base wall, a ramp surface, and a back wall, the ramp surface joined to the base wall to form an apex and having a ramp engagement member. The ramp engagement member is configured to engage the sheet engagement member to form a selective gliding assembly that resists movement of the sheet with respect to the ramp surface in a first direction.

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 patient positioning system for use with a patient on a bed includes a sheet having a bottom surface configured to be placed above the supporting surface of the bed and a top surface opposite the bottom surface, and a wedge having a base wall, a ramp surface, and a back wall, with the ramp surface joined to the base wall to form an apex. The wedge is positioned under the sheet such that the base wall confronts the supporting surface of the bed and the ramp surface confronts the bottom surface of the sheet. The bottom surface of the sheet and the ramp surface of the wedge have engagement members forming a selective gliding assembly that resists movement of the sheet with respect to the wedge in at least one direction and permits movement of the sheet with respect to the wedge in at least one other direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for turning and positioning a patient includes a sheet having a top and a bottom surface, a first handle coupled to the sheet proximate a first side edge, and a second handle coupled to the sheet proximate a second side edge, opposite the first side edge. A first portion of the sheet is configured to be placed underneath a patient and a second portion of the sheet is configured to be wrapped on top of the patient. The first handle and the second handle are longitudinally offset such that when the first handle and the second handle are pulled across one another, the first side edge is positioned beneath the second handle and the second side edge is positioned beneath the first handle. Pulling the first handle across the second handle and across the top of the patient rolls the patient onto the second portion.

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 for use with a patient on a bed includes an inflatable patient support device, and optionally, other components such as one or more wedges and/or an absorbent pad. The device includes top and bottom sheets, where the top sheet is connected to the bottom sheet to define a cavity, such that the top and bottom sheets form top and bottom walls of the cavity in use. The device further has passages extending from the cavity to an exterior of the device, through the bottom sheet, and gussets connected to the top and bottom sheets and extending across the cavity. The passages permit air to pass from the cavity to the exterior of the device and to flow between the bottom surface of the device and the surface supporting the device. Selective glide assemblies may be used to resist sliding of these components in certain directions.

Abstract: A patient positioning system for use with a patient on a bed includes an inflatable patient support device, and optionally, other components such as one or more wedges and/or an absorbent pad. The device includes top and bottom sheets, where the top sheet is connected to the bottom sheet to define a cavity, such that the top and bottom sheets form top and bottom walls of the cavity in use. The device further has passages extending from the cavity to an exterior of the device, through the bottom sheet, and gussets connected to the top and bottom sheets and extending across the cavity. The passages permit air to pass from the cavity to the exterior of the device and to flow between the bottom surface of the device and the surface supporting the device. Selective glide assemblies may be used to resist sliding of these components in certain directions.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured for use with a chair having a supporting surface, and includes a cushioning member adapted to be placed above the supporting surface, a bottom sheet connected to the cushioning member and having an engagement surface opposite the cushioning member, a top sheet having a bottom surface positioned in confronting relation to the engagement surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface, and a selective gliding assembly positioned between the top and bottom sheets. The top sheet has at least one end connected to the bottom sheet, and the top sheet further has a slip resistant material positioned on the top surface. The selective gliding assembly includes engagement members positioned on the engagement surface and on the bottom surface of the top sheet, and the engagement members engage each other to resist forward sliding of the top sheet and to permit rearward sliding of the top sheet.