Pad assembly adapted for receiving an x-ray cassette and method of using the same

1. A method of x-raying a patient, comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning a patient on a pad assembly comprised of an upper pad and a lower pad that are attached, wherein said upper pad and said lower pad each include a respective outer shell enclosing an inner foam core, a lower surface of the respective outer shell of the upper pad facing an upper surface of the respective outer shell of said lower pad, at least one of said lower and upper surfaces formed of a first material, wherein an unobstructed slot is defined between said lower surface and said upper surface;

(b) inserting an x-ray cassette into said slot between said upper and lower surfaces to a desired location beneath said patient;

(c) exposing the x-ray cassette to x-rays to generate an x-ray image of a desired location of said patient; and

(d) removing said x-ray cassette from between said upper and lower surfaces.

2. A method of x-raying a patient according to claim 1 , wherein a coefficient of friction between said first material and said x-ray cassette is less than about 0.42.

3. A method of x-raying a patient according to claim 1 , wherein said first material includes a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating.

4. A method of x-raying a patient according to claim 1 , wherein said x-ray cassette is contained within a holder formed of a second material having a relatively smooth outer surface.

5. A method of x-raying a patient according to claim 4 , wherein a coefficient of friction between said first material and said second material is less than about 0.16.

6. A method of x-raying a patient according to claim 4 , wherein said second material includes a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating.

7. A pad assembly that allows x-raying a patient positioned thereon, the pad assembly comprising:

an elongated upper pad including a first outer shell enclosing a first foam core, said first outer shell having a lower surface formed of a first material having a relatively smooth outer surface;

an elongated lower pad generally conforming in shape to said upper pad, said lower pad including a second outer shell enclosing a second foam core, said second outer shell having an upper surface formed of the first material; and

attachment means for joining the upper pad to the lower pad, said lower surface and said upper surface defining an unobstructed slot between said upper and lower pad along the length of said pads, said slot dimensioned to receive an x-ray cassette.

8. A pad assembly according to claim 7 , wherein a coefficient of friction between said first material and said x-ray cassette is less than about 0.42.

9. A pad assembly according to claim 7 , wherein said first material includes a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating.

10. A pad assembly according to claim 7 , wherein said x-ray cassette is contained within a holder formed of a second material having a relatively smooth outer surface.

11. A pad assembly according to claim 10 , wherein a coefficient of friction between said second material and said first material is less than about 0.16.

12. A pad assembly according to claim 10 , wherein said second material includes a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating.

13. A pad assembly according to claim 7 , wherein said attachment means is selected from the group consisting of: hook-and-loop fastener, fabric stitched to said upper and lower pads, and a zipper attached to said upper and lower pads.

14. A pad assembly according to claim 13 , wherein said attachment means is a zipper attached to said upper and lower pads, said zipper arranged along peripheral edges of said upper and lower pads.

15. A pad assembly according to claim 13 , wherein said attachment means is a hook-and-loop fastener attached to said upper and lower pads, said hook-and-loop fastener arranged along at least one peripheral edge of said upper and lower pads.

16. A pad assembly according to claim 13 , wherein said attachment means joins said upper and lower pad along at least one peripheral edge thereof, said first and second pad being unattached at a region outside said attachment means.

17. A pad assembly according to claim 7 , wherein said pad assembly further comprises lateral flaps extending from said upper pad to cover at least a portion of said slot.

18. A pad assembly according to claim 7 , wherein said pad assembly is supported on a stretcher.

19. A pad assembly according to claim 7 , wherein said pad assembly further comprises a radiopaque grid.

20. A pad assembly according to claim 19 , wherein said radiopaque grid is applied to a sheet media enclosed within said first outer shell.

21. A pad assembly according to claim 19 , wherein said radiopaque grid is applied to said first outer shell.

22. A method of x-raying a patient, comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning a patient on a pad assembly comprised of an upper pad portion and a lower pad portion, wherein said upper pad portion and said lower pad portion each include a respective outer shell enclosing an inner foam core, wherein an unobstructed slot is defined between the upper pad portion and the lower pad portion, said respective outer shell of the upper pad portion having a lower surface facing an upper surface of the respective outer shell of said lower pad portion, at least one of said lower and upper surfaces formed of a first material;

(b) inserting an x-ray cassette into said slot between said upper and lower surfaces to a desired location beneath said patient;

(c) exposing the x-ray cassette to x-rays to generate an x-ray image of a desired location of said patient; and

(d) removing said x-ray cassette from between said upper and lower surfaces.

23. A method of x-raying a patient according to claim 22 , wherein a coefficient of friction between said first material and said x-ray cassette is less than about 0.42.

24. A method of x-raying a patient according to claim 23 , wherein said first material includes a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating.

25. A method of x-raying a patient according to claim 22 , wherein said x-ray cassette is contained within a holder formed of a second material having a relatively smooth outer surface.

26. A method of x-raying a patient according to claim 25 , wherein a coefficient of friction between said first material and said second material is less than about 0.16.

27. A method of x-raying a patient according to claim 25 , wherein said second material includes a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating.

28. A pad assembly that allows x-raying a patient positioned thereon, the pad assembly comprising:

an upper pad portion including a first outer shell enclosing a first foam core section, said first outer shell having a lower surface formed of a first material having a relatively smooth outer surface; and

a lower pad portion generally conforming in shape to said upper pad, said lower pad portion including a second outer shell enclosing a second foam core section, said second outer shell having an upper surface formed of the first material, said lower surface and said upper surface defining an unobstructed slot between said upper and lower pad portions, said slot dimensioned to receive an x-ray cassette.

29. A pad assembly according to claim 28 , wherein a coefficient of friction between said first material and said x-ray cassette is less than about 0.42.

30. A pad assembly according to claim 28 , wherein said first material includes a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating.

31. A pad assembly according to claim 28 , wherein said x-ray cassette is contained within a holder formed of a second material having a relatively smooth outer surface.

32. A pad assembly according to claim 31 , wherein a coefficient of friction between said second material and said first material is less than about 0.16.

33. A pad assembly according to claim 31 , wherein said second material includes a polytetrafluoroethylene coating.

34. A pad assembly according to claim 28 , wherein said pad assembly further comprises a radiopaque grid.