Abstract: A substantially pillow-shaped, inflatable second cushion that is separable and removably interconnected together with the first cushion maintains proper foot flexion when the body is in the supine position, and is removable to allow ambulation while the foot and lower leg remain cradled in the first cushion. A substantially pillow-shaped, inflatable third cushion is pivotally attached to the bottommost compartments of the first cushion and is pivotally positionable either directly under the Achilles' heel area, or directly under the heel area, or tucked forward of the heel area to provide light compression of the ankle, foot and heel areas. An integral shoe spoon attached to the first cushion prevents the foot cushion from catching bed clothing. A rigid base is provided for rigidly fixing the first inflatable cushion in position to prevent contraction of the feet of comatose patients, for example.

Abstract: In combination with an inflatable body support formed from a pair of plastic sheets joined together forming an air pressurizable chamber therebetween, the sheets having a plurality of aligned holes extending therethrough with the sheets being joined together around the circumference of each hole allowing body heat and moisture to flow through each hole but preventing air flow from the chamber into each hole, thereby providing an air cushion for supporting a person positioned thereatop that dissipates pressure, heat and moisture to prevent the onset of pressure sores and ulcers, the improvement which comprises: occluding the holes over which the torso, head and limbs of a person positioned atop the inflatable body support would not lie, thereby reducing the distension of the inflatable body support surrounding the occluded holes thereby volume centering the air within the air pressurizable chamber under a person positioned atop the inflatable body support; providing a pair of micro and macro adjustable, separa

Abstract: A back belt comprising a continuous, non-baffled, pressurizable air chamber having a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of opposing ends defining the periphery thereof; cushioning rims along the top and bottom edges of the air chamber; symmetrical contouring notches along the top and bottom edges of the air chamber and along the cushioning rims; belt means connected to the ends of the air chamber; valve means on the air chamber operable to allow presurization of the air chamber to a desired internal air pressure; and supportive wall means overlaying the air chamber to provide stability and durability to the air chamber, and connected to the belt means and to the air chamber at the ends of the air chamber; and a novel connector permanently couples the materials from which the air chamber and belt straps for the air chamber of the preferred embodiment of the invention are constructed, providing a stability to the joinder of these materials not obtainable by known sewing means, thereby enhancing the durability

Abstract: A surgical gauze sponge manager to receive a predetermined number of discarded surgical gauze sponges and to contain the bodily fluids absorbed therein, comprising a finite number of dimensionally controlled pockets to receive an equivalent number of discarded surgical gauze sponges, which pockets are in fluid communication with bodily fluid reservoirs, and which are foldable within an interconnected containment pocket, the pockets being constructed from a semi-transparent material that can be sterilized, and that retains at least semi-transparency when no more than two layers are overlayed, but becomes substantially opaque when at least four layers are overlayed.