Active head/neck positioning device
US7383599B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jun 10, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 25, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61G13/1215
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A body support for positioning beneath a patient undergoing endotracheal intubation is dimensioned to extend beneath the patient's torso and head while in a substantially upward-facing prone position. An inflatable bladder is adapted to elevate the patient as the bladder is inflated and thereby expands. An expandable headrest is positioned for placement beneath the patient's head. The headrest further includes a head support air bladder which is operative to elevate the patient's head as the head support bladder is inflated and the headrest expands. A source of compressed air is in selective fluid communication by way of valve means with the torso support bladder whereby the patient's torso/head position may be altered to achieve optimal anatomical alignment of the patient's larynx for intubation. The valve means are preferably electromechanical valves which are actuated by thumbswitches located on a housing which is snap-fit to the top of the intubation handle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.