IP Library › Granted Patent US 12708581
Granted Patent B2
US 12708581 · App. 18/135,885 · Granted Aug 18, 2026

Inflatable device

Inventors: Mark D. Nissen (Minneapolis, MN); James M. Gayes (Naples, FL); Daniel M. Broberg (Deephaven, MN); Stephen McKeown (Hugo, MN); Laurence M. Sandell (Bethesda, MD)
Assignee: OPAD Airway, Inc.
A61G13/1265A61G13/1215A61G2205/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12708581
App. No.
18/135,885
Granted
Aug 18, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An inflatable device for patient positioning is provided. The inflatable device may include a first inflation module and a second inflation module. The first inflation module may include a tail, a first inflation chamber, and a second inflation chamber. The second inflation module may include a third inflation chamber and a plurality of uninflatable portions. The first inflation module and the second inflation module may be welded together at an inflation module weld. The second inflation module may be welded into a loop. The first inflation chamber and the second inflation chamber may be disposed within the loop.

Claims (67)

1 . An inflatable device for patient positioning, the inflatable device comprising:

a first inflation module, the first inflation module including a tail, a first inflation chamber, and a second inflation chamber;

a second inflation module, the second inflation module including a third inflation chamber and a plurality of second inflation module uninflatable portions; and

an inflation module weld,

wherein:

the inflation module weld binds the tail of the first inflation module, a first uninflatable portion of the plurality of second inflation module uninflatable portions at a first end of the second inflation module, and a second uninflatable portion of the plurality of second inflation module uninflatable portions at a second end the second inflation module;

the second inflation module comprises a loop; and

the first inflation chamber and the second inflation chamber are disposed within the loop.

2 . The inflatable device of claim 1 , wherein:

the first inflation chamber comprises a head-tilt cylinder structure;

the second inflation chamber comprises a first back cylinder structure and a second back cylinder structure; and

the third inflation chamber comprises a pair of base cylinder structures and a pair of head rest cylinder structures.

3 . The inflatable device of claim 2 , wherein:

the first inflation module includes a first folded section comprising four stacked layers on a first side;

the first inflation module includes a second folded section comprising four stacked layers on a second side opposite the first side.

4 . The inflatable device of claim 3 , wherein:

the plurality of second inflation module uninflatable portions further comprises a rear side uninflatable portion attached to the pair of base cylinder structures and the pair of head rest cylinder structures;

the first uninflatable portion comprises a back support surface and is attached to the pair of head rest cylinder structures;

the second uninflatable portion is attached to the pair of base cylinder structures; and the inflation module weld connects the tail, the back support surface, and the second uninflatable portion.

5 . The inflatable device of claim 4 , wherein:

the inflation module weld defines an intersection of the first back cylinder structure and the tail.

6 . The inflatable device of claim 2 , wherein:

the plurality of second inflation module uninflatable portions further comprises a rear side uninflatable portion attached to the pair of base cylinder structures and the pair of head rest cylinder structures;

the first uninflatable portion comprises a back support surface and is attached to the pair of head rest cylinder structures;

the second uninflatable portion is attached to the pair of base cylinder structures; and the inflation module weld connects the tail, the back support surface, and the second uninflatable portion.

7 . The inflatable device of claim 6 , wherein:

the inflation module weld defines an intersection of the first back cylinder structure and the tail.

8 . The inflatable device of claim 1 , wherein:

a first tubing connection structure is embedded in the first inflation chamber;

a second tubing connection structure is embedded in the second inflation chamber; and

a third tubing connection structure is embedded in the third inflation chamber.

9 . The inflatable device of claim 8 , wherein:

the first inflation module comprises a first lengthwise interior weld that seals the first inflation chamber and the second inflation chamber;

the second inflation module comprises a second lengthwise interior weld that seals the third inflation chamber;

the first and second tubing connection structures are sealed within the first lengthwise interior weld; and

the third tubing connection structure is sealed within the second lengthwise interior weld.

10 . The inflatable device of claim 9 , wherein:

the first, second, and third tubing connection structures are barbed tubing connectors.

11 . The inflatable device of claim 10 , wherein:

the first, second, and third tubing connection structures are distinctly colored, respectively.

12 . The inflatable device of claim 1 , wherein:

the first inflation module includes a first folded section consisting of four stacked layers on a first side;

the first inflation module includes a second folded section consisting of four stacked layers on a second side opposite the first side.

13 . The inflatable device of claim 12 , wherein:

the first inflation module comprises a first lengthwise interior weld that seals the first inflation chamber and the second inflation chamber; and

the first lengthwise interior weld defines an inner boundary of the first folded section.

14 . The inflatable device of claim 13 , wherein:

a first tubing connection structure is embedded in the first inflation chamber at the first lengthwise interior weld;

a second tubing connection structure is embedded in the second inflation chamber at the first lengthwise interior weld; and

a third tubing connection structure is embedded in the third inflation chamber.

15 . The inflatable device of claim 14 , wherein:

the first, second, and third tubing connection structures are barbed tubing connectors.

16 . The inflatable device of claim 12 , wherein:

the second inflation module includes a third folded section comprising four stacked layers on a first side of the second inflation module;

the second inflation module includes a fourth folded section comprising four stacked layers on a second side opposite the first side of the second inflation module.

17 . The inflatable device of claim 16 , wherein:

the second inflation module comprises a second lengthwise interior weld that seals the third inflation chamber; and

the second lengthwise interior weld defines an inner boundary of the third folded section.

18 . The inflatable device of claim 17 , wherein:

a first tubing connection structure is embedded in the first inflation chamber at a first interior weld;

a second tubing connection structure is embedded in the second inflation chamber at the first interior weld; and

a third tubing connection structure is embedded in the third inflation chamber at the second lengthwise interior weld.

19 . The inflatable device of claim 12 , wherein:

a width of the first folded section is equal to a width of the second folded section.

20 . The inflatable device of claim 12 , wherein:

a width of the first folded section is between 1.5 and 3 inches; and

a width of the second folded section is between 1.5 and 3 inches.