SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SUPPORTING AND STABILIZING A PATIENT DURING HIP DISTRACTION
A method for hip distraction includes positioning a patient on a patient pad placed on a surgical table; and applying a distraction force to a leg of the patient that is sufficient to distract a hip joint of the patient, wherein the distraction force is opposed by a slide-resisting friction force provided by the patient pad and the patient pad is sufficiently stiff to resist bunching while providing the slide-resisting friction force.
1 . (canceled)
2 . A method for hip distraction, the method comprising:
positioning a patient on a patient pad placed on a surgical table; and
applying a distraction force to a leg of the patient that is sufficient to distract a hip joint of the patient, wherein the distraction force is opposed by a slide-resisting friction force provided by the patient pad and the patient pad is sufficiently stiff to resist bunching while providing the slide-resisting friction force.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein applying the distraction force comprises setting a position of a distractor that applies the distraction force.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein applying the distraction force comprises moving a boot of the distractor away from the surgical table.
5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the distraction force is opposed entirely by the slide-resisting friction force provided by the patient pad.
6 . The method of claim 2 , comprising strapping the patient pad to the surgical table.
7 . The method of claim 2 , wherein positioning the patient on the patient pad comprises positioning the patient such that the patient pad extends beneath shoulders and buttocks of the patient.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein a first set of straps are located proximate to where shoulders of the patient are positioned and a second set of straps are located proximate to where buttocks of the patient are positioned.
9 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the patient pad comprises a stiffener configured to resist bunching when the patient pad is subjected to a sliding force.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the stiffener comprises one or more plastic sheets.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the stiffener comprises a layer of material disposed on at least one of a top surface and a bottom surface of the patient pad.
12 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the patient pad resists bunching based on a layered structure.
13 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the patient pad comprises a foam material.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the foam material comprises a polyether polyurethane blend.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the patient pad comprises a single layer of the foam material.
16 . The method of claim 2 , wherein a coefficient of friction provided by the patient pad is at least 0.85.
17 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the patient pad is a disposable pad.
18 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the patient pad comprises at least one visual indicator for indicating how to position the patient pad on the surgical table and/or how to position the patient on the patient pad.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the at least one visual indicator comprises at least one cut-out.
20 . A patient pad comprising:
a top surface for supporting a patient; and
a bottom surface for engaging a support structure;
wherein the top surface comprises foam;
wherein the bottom surface comprises at least one of foam, a polymer sheet and a woven sheet; and
further wherein the patient pad comprises a stiffener to resist bunching when the patient pad is subjected to a sliding force.
21 . The patient pad of claim 20 , wherein the stiffener comprises a layer of material disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface.
22 . The patient pad of claim 20 , wherein the stiffener comprises a layer of material disposed alongside the top surface and/or the bottom surface.
23 . The patient pad of claim 20 , wherein the stiffener comprises one or more plastic sheets.
24 . The patient pad of claim 20 , comprising a first set of straps located proximate to where shoulders of the patient are positioned and a second set of straps located proximate to where buttocks of the patient are positioned.
25 . The patient pad of claim 20 , wherein the foam of the top surface and/or the bottom surface comprises a polyether polyurethane blend.
26 . The patient pad of claim 20 , wherein a coefficient of friction provided by the patient pad is at least 0.85.
27 . The patient pad of claim 20 , wherein the patient pad is a disposable pad.
28 . The patient pad of claim 20 , comprising at least one visual indicator for indicating how to position the patient pad on the support structure and/or how to position the patient on the patient pad.
29 . The patient pad of claim 28 , wherein the at least one visual indicator comprises at least one cut-out.
30 . A method for patient positioning, the method comprising:
providing a patient pad comprising:
a top surface for supporting a patient; and
a bottom surface for engaging a support structure;
wherein the top surface comprises foam;
wherein the bottom surface comprises at least one of foam, a polymer sheet and a woven sheet; and
further wherein the patient pad comprises a stiffener to resist bunching when the patient pad is subjected to a sliding force; and
positioning a patient so that the patient is supported by the top surface of the patient pad.