Vacuum bag with integral customizable head positioner
A vacuum cushion for positioning a patient for a procedure includes a gas-impermeable outer covering within which an airtight chamber is defined, a source of negative pressure, and a vacuum control valve providing selective fluid communication between the chamber and the source of negative pressure. A first plurality of filler beads is contained within the airtight chamber in selective fluid communication with the source of negative pressure. A separate gas-permeable bag is provided within the airtight chamber and contains a second plurality of filler beads, the gas-permeable bag being sized, configured, and positioned so as to be useable as a customizable patient headrest. A method of positioning a patient for a medical procedure utilizing the vacuum patient positioning cushion is also provided.
1 . A vacuum cushion for positioning a patient for a procedure, the vacuum cushion comprising:
a gas-impermeable outer covering within which an airtight chamber is defined;
a source of negative pressure;
a vacuum control valve providing selective fluid communication between the airtight chamber and the source of negative pressure;
a first plurality of filler beads contained within the airtight chamber and in selective fluid communication with the source of negative pressure; and
a separate gas-permeable bag located within the airtight chamber and containing a second plurality of filler beads, the gas-permeable bag being sized, configured, and positioned so as to be useable as a customizable patient headrest.
2 . The vacuum patient positioning cushion of claim 1 , wherein the gas-permeable bag containing the second plurality of filler beads is in fluid communication with the airtight chamber defined by the gas-impermeable outer covering.
3 . The vacuum patient positioning cushion of claim 1 , wherein the gas-permeable bag is provided with at least one mesh screen that provides fluid communication with the airtight chamber defined by the gas-impermeable outer covering while retaining the second plurality of filler beads within the gas-permeable bag and preventing any of the first plurality of filler beads from entering the gas-permeable bag.
4 . The vacuum patient positioning cushion of claim 1 , wherein the gas-permeable bag is fixed in position within the airtight chamber.
5 . The vacuum patient positioning cushion of claim 4 , wherein the gas-permeable bag is permanently affixed to the outer covering to prevent it from shifting location during use.
6 . The vacuum patient positioning cushion of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of filler beads comprises a plurality of polymeric beads and the second plurality of filler beads comprises a plurality of polymeric beads.
7 . The vacuum patient positioning cushion of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of filler beads comprises a plurality of expanded polystyrene beads.
8 . The vacuum patient positioning cushion of claim 1 , wherein the second plurality of filler beads comprises a plurality of expanded polystyrene beads.
9 . A method of positioning a patient for a medical procedure comprising the steps of:
i) providing a vacuum patient positioning cushion comprising:
a gas-impermeable outer covering defining an airtight chamber;
a vacuum control valve providing selective fluid communication between the airtight chamber and a source of negative pressure;
a first plurality of filler beads located within the airtight chamber; and
a separate gas-permeable bag having a second plurality of filler beads located therein and being in fluid communication with the rest of the airtight chamber;
ii) placing the patient atop the vacuum cushion such that the patient's head is resting atop the gas-permeable bag;
iii) connecting the vacuum control valve to a source of negative pressure; and
iv) evacuating the airtight chamber of the vacuum patient positioning cushion while forming the gas-permeable bag to act as a headrest for the patient and forming the first plurality of filler beads to conform to a portion of the patient's anatomy.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the gas-permeable bag is separated from the rest of the airtight chamber defined by the gas-impermeable outer covering and the first plurality of filler beads by at least one perforated seam.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the gas-permeable bag is fixed in position within the airtight chamber.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the gas-permeable bag is permanently affixed to the outer covering to prevent it from shifting location during use.
13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the first plurality of filler beads comprises a plurality of polymeric beads and the second plurality of filler beads comprises a plurality of polymeric beads.
14 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the first plurality of filler beads comprises a plurality of expanded polystyrene beads.
15 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the second plurality of filler beads comprises a plurality of expanded polystyrene beads.