[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a body transport apparatus, and more particularly to an inflatable mattress for moving a body on a cushion of air that has integrated handles disposed about a perimeter of the mattress.

Background

[0002] Non-ambulatory patients or bodies that must be supported and moved in a facility such as a hospital, nursing home, morgue, funeral home, emergency scene, remote rescue location, or the like, etc. present substantial challenges when a the patient or body must be moved from one location to another. A patient, for example, may need to be moved from a hospital bed, which must remain in the patient's room, to a stretcher and then from the stretcher to a treatment location such as a surgical table in an operating room. Following treatment the reverse patient handling sequence must occur; i.e., the patient must be moved from the surgical table, which remains in the operating room, to a stretcher which travels to the patient's hospital room, and then from the stretcher back onto the bed in the hospital room. Likewise, the body of a patient that has expired may need to be moved from an operating table to a stretcher for transport to the morgue. Then from the stretcher to the examination table.

[0003] In a very large percentage of such occurrences the patient or body must be handled in a fashion which requires only a minimum of movement with respect to a supporting surface. In the case of a patient being returned to a hospital room following surgery, for example, the patient's body may not be able to withstand the stresses and strains of being lifted from a stretcher to the bed when one or even several hospital personnel combine their efforts to make such a transfer. Alternatively, the patient may require minimal contact with the supporting surface in order to provide a therapeutic effect, such as with burn patients.

[0004] The same challenge of moving a patient or body with minimum handling exists in non-surgical settings as well. The bariatric patient is a prime and very common example. When such a patient is morbidly obese, transferring presents difficulties for both the patient or body and the care facility staff. While no exact definition of morbid obesity is universally recognized, many hospitals and other treatment facilities consider a person who weighs about 350 pounds or more to fall within that definition.

[0005] Movement of a morbidly obese person often requires the hospital staff to physically lift and/or slide the patient from an at rest position on a hospital bed to an at rest position on a stretcher a total of four times to complete a single treatment cycle, such as surgery. The staff must perform the task of lifting and/or sliding such a patient because in nearly all instances the patient, due to the physical condition of obesity and/or illness, simply cannot personally do the task. The manipulation of such a person requires a plurality of hospital staff since such manipulation is impossible to perform by a single person such as a floor nurse assigned to the patient's room. As a consequence, such transfers must be planned in advance for a specific time and a number of hospital staff must be notified and arrange their schedules so that all staff will be available at the same time. As is well known, many hospital staff are females and many of these persons are rather slight of stature. As a result, a half dozen or more such persons may need to be assembled. Instances have been known in which a morbidly obese patient has required twelve persons to effect the transfer. Gathering together such a large number of people four times at often uncertain intervals to provide but a single cycle of treatment raises obvious logistical problems and, in addition, erodes the quality of care the facility can render by reason of the application of such a large number of personnel to deal with but a single patient treatment episode.

[0006] The same challenges and drawbacks remain with respect to the storage and transport of the remains of a deceased body to be able to move the body as described above and provide dignity to the remains as the body is moved throughout the hospital, nursing home, funeral home, or the like, etc. Additionally, the collection of waste and drainage from the body is not accounted for in conventional apparatus.

[0007] Even further drawbacks have been discovered when special circumstances require heightened comfort for the patient and minimized skin compromise. For example, in those circumstances where patients with skin conditions require frequent turning or movement to avoid the formation of sores or the like, staff interaction is increased and the disadvantages mentioned herein are amplified, in addition to the need to move such a patient.

[0008] A further drawback to such a patient handling system as above described is that, even with the best intentioned and caring of staff, the patient very often suffers substantial discomfort. The simple act of sliding a patient over a flat surface can be very painful to a patient who has had surgical incisions which are far from healed, for example.

[0010] An attempt has been made to overcome the above described problems by the use of an air mattress onto which the patient is placed while in his bed and which is then placed onto a wheeler. A problem common to all such devices is that invariably the air mattress has the general characteristic of a balloon, in the sense that when one area is indented another remote area will bulge, thus creating an unstable condition. If for example a stretcher carrying an obese person makes a sharp turn during a trip to or from a treatment location, such an obese person will tend to roll toward the outside of the turn due to the instability of such a conventional mattress. The more the patient rolls, the more the mattress portion toward which the rolling movement occurs will depress, and the greater will be the expansion of the mattress on the other side of the patient. In effect, the conventional mattress reinforces the undesirable rolling movement and is unstable. Since much of the time the patient is incapable of stopping the rolling action by himself, the patient may roll off the stretcher onto the floor with disastrous consequences. Indeed, even in the instance of a patient who is capable of moving himself to some degree about his longitudinal body axis the same disastrous result may occur because the displacement of air from one edge portion of the mattress to the opposite edge portion creates in effect a tipping cradle. Only if the patient lies perfectly flat and perfectly still on the stretcher, and no roadway depressions or blocking objects, such as excess hospital beds stored in a hallway, are encountered can the probabilities of an accident be lessened.

[0011] Another problem with prior art methods of moving patients using an air cushion is the complexity of the procedure. The air mattress must first be positioned under the patient. Then an air pump must be transported to the bed area and connected to the mattress. The mattress is then inflated and the patient moved. The same process is repeated each time the patient needs to be transferred from one bed/stretcher/table to another.

[0012] A still further problem with prior art apparatus is control of contamination. Often, a tedious cleaning protocol follows after such use to avoid cross-contamination. Cleaning is particularly difficult because contaminant particles can penetrate into the mat material, and when the mat is inflated, the pressure can force the particles out and into the air. The high cost of prior art air cushions requires their re-use.

[0013] A yet further problem with prior art apparatus is the lack of dignity afforded the remains of a deceased body. The body is usually transferred to a stretcher then draped in a sheet or must be lifted into a conventional body bag. Up arrival at the morgue and/or funeral home the body must be removed for cleaning. All the while being transferred from one surface to another by lifting. Still yet a further problem with prior art apparatus is the amount of skin or body contact area that requires frequent movement of the patient, not only lateral transfer as explained above, but rotation or change of position to avoid compromising the skin during the healing process. Moreover, another disadvantage of the prior art is the inability to use such inflatable mattress in an uninflated state.

[0014] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a body transport apparatus that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and provides the advantages as described in this disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] The following disclosure as a whole may be best understood by reference to the provided detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, drawing description, abstract, background, field of the disclosure, and associated headings. Identical reference numerals when found on different figures identify the same elements or a functionally equivalent element. The elements listed in the abstract are not referenced but nevertheless refer by association to the elements of the detailed description and associated disclosure. [0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an integrated patient transfer system according to the present disclosure as applied to a stretcher.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates an integrated patient transfer system according to the present disclosure as applied to a hospital bed.

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates an air cushion and supply cart according to the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates an air cushion storage section of the cart of FIG. 3.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the cart of FIG. 3 for illustrating an air blower and power supply.

[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates interconnecting apparatus for attaching an air supply hose to the mat.

[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates patient movement between beds.

[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates a board with the inflatable mattress.

[0024] FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of a body transport apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the body transport apparatus of FIG. 9.

[0026] FIG. 11 illustrates an end view of the body transport apparatus of FIG. 9.

[0027] FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a body transport apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. [0028] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the body transport apparatus of FIG. 12 taken along line 13 - 13.

[0029] FIG. 14 illustrates a bottom view of a body transport apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a body transport apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 16 illustrates a detailed break-away view of the body transport apparatus of FIG. 15.

[0032] FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of a body transport apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

[0033] The present disclosure is not limited to the particular details of the apparatus depicted, and other modifications and applications may be contemplated. Further changes may be made in the apparatus, device or methods without departing from the true spirit of the scope of the disclosure herein involved. It is intended, therefore, that the subject matter in this disclosure should be interpreted as illustrative, not in a limiting sense.

[0034] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a body transport apparatus may include an mattress with a plurality of holes on the bottom to provide an air cushion when the mattress is inflated and a cover portion connected to the mattress to define an enclosed volume. The cover portion may include a selectively closeable passageway. A flap may be defined in the cover portion that is movable between open and closed configurations. A plurality of hollows may be defined in the cover portion when inflated to define a minimal body contact area.

[0035] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a body transport apparatus may include an inflatable air mattress having a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion may include a plurality of holes configured to provide an air cushion under the mattress when the mattress is inflated. A cover portion may be connected to the mattress to cooperatively define with the top portion an enclosed volume above the top portion. The cover portion may include a selectively closeable passageway. A flap may be defined in the cover portion that includes a fold line disposed adjacent a perimeter of the top portion and may be movable about the fold line between a first position defining an open configuration to provide access through a defined opening to the enclosed volume and a second position defining a closed configuration to prevent access to the enclosed volume.

[0036] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a closure assembly may connected to the flap and the defined opening to connect and disconnect the flap and the defined opening. The closure assembly may be a zipper, hook and loop fastener or the like, etc. The passageway may be defined by a drain connected to the cover portion that may include a selectively removable cover to facilitate retention of fluid within the enclosed volume. A stabilizing board may be releasably connected to the top portion of the mattress and apparatus for securing a body to the board. The mattress may include a marking for indicating that the bottom portion is to be positioned downward. The marking may include the bottom portion colored dark relative to the top portion so as to provide a contrast that a user can quickly distinguish. The top portion of the mattress may have a color of white, off-white, cream, beige, light yellow, light blue, etc. or the like (referred to herein as "light") for ease of observing fluids. Preferably, the top portion is sufficiently lightly colored such that an likely bodily fluids may be easily observable and provides a contrast to the darker color at the bottom portion. The cover portion may be opaque, a black color or the like, etc.

[0037] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a body transport apparatus may include an inflatable air mattress including a top surface and a bottom surface that may include a plurality of exit holes configured to provide an air cushion under the mattress when the mattress is inflated. A first receptacle may be integrated into the mattress for connection to a supply of gas. A cover portion may be connected to the mattress adjacent a perimeter of the top portion to define an enclosed volume. The cover portion may include a plurality of hollows by connection of a plurality of preselected portions of the top surface to the top portion to define a minimal body contact area. A second receptacle may be integrated into the cover portion for connection to a supply of gas. The mattress may be separately and independently inflatable from the enclosed volume.

[0038] In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the second receptacle may include a cover to seal the enclosed volume after inflation in order to maintain the enclosed volume in an inflated state regardless of a state of inflation of the mattress. A ratio of the body contact area to surface area may be less than 50% or less than 20%. The body contact area may be defined as that portion of the top surface that is disposed above the top portion at a distance of at least 90% of a vertical extent of the side surface.

[0039] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a body transport apparatus may include an inflatable air mattress including a top portion and a bottom portion that includes a plurality of air exit holes configured to provide an air cushion under the mattress when the mattress is inflated and a plurality of straps. The plurality of straps may include a plurality of end straps connected at a proximal end to the bottom portion and having a free distal end and a plurality of side straps connected at a central portion to the bottom portion and having a pair of free distal ends. The side straps may have a length greater than a width of the mattress

[0040] In still another aspect of the present disclosure, a molded handle may be disposed at the end of each strap. Each strap may have a color of safety neon orange. The side straps may extend across the width of the mattress without interference with the air exit holes.

[0041] Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a patient transfer apparatus including an inflatable mattress, alternatively with a rigid top board with a patient restraint system on which a patient can be placed when patient immobilization is required. A portable cart is included with a chamber for storage of a plurality of mattresses. The cart also has a gas/air blower and power supply system for empowering the blower. The power system includes provision for drawing power from line AC/DC, and has a rechargeable battery and charger for maintaining the battery by connecting the supply to the line AC/DC. The mattress has a perforated bottom surface for exit of air to provide an air cushion, and is constructed with a light top surface and a dark bottom surface for optimum recognition of contamination, and identification of the bottom surface which must be placed downward. The cart is coated with an antimicrobial substance to minimize the risk of contaminants.

[0042] One preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a body transport apparatus including top and bottom portions having a perimeter seal and an interiorly disposed complementary configured seal offset from the perimeter seal to define a non-inflatable frame portion and an inflatable air mattress portion. The bottom portion may include a plurality of air exit holes configured to provide an air cushion under the mattress portion when the mattress portion is inflated. The frame portion may include a plurality of handle openings formed therein. A channel may be defined in the frame portion so that the inflatable air mattress portion extends through the frame portion to form a flange so that a remote receptacle is disposed exterior of the perimeter seal.

[0043] Another preferred embodiment is directed to a partial body transport apparatus including the channel defined in the frame portion so that the inflatable air mattress portion extends into the frame portion so that a remote receptacle is disposed within the perimeter seal.

[0044] In other aspects of the present disclosure, the mattress may include a marking for indicating that the bottom portion is to be positioned downward, which may be the bottom portion colored dark relative to the top portion. The top portion of the mattress may have a light color for ease of observing fluids. Each opening may include a support ring disposed between the top and bottom portion about a perimeter of the opening and bonded to the top and bottom portions. The inflatable air mattress portion may include a plurality of laterally extending furrows defined by bonded segments of the top and bottom portions to define a plurality of baffles connected to common margin volumes disposed along longitudinal sides of the inflatable air mattress portion, wherein the segments extend no more than approximately 65% of a lateral extent of the inflatable air mattress portion. Indicia may be disposed on the inflatable air mattress portion to indicate proper orientation of a patient. The inflatable air mattress portion may have a longitudinal extent that is approximately 75% to 125% of a lateral extent of the inflatable air mattress portion. [0045] An embodiment of the system 10 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 as applied to a stretcher 12. The stretcher 12 can be of any type, such as used in a hospital or an ambulance, and can have fixed height legs 14 or adjustable height as indicated symbolically by adjusters 16. According to the system of the present invention, a patient bed illustrated as a stretcher 12 in FIG. 1 is assembled with an air mattress air supply system 18 attached. The term "air" as used in the present disclosure is meant to refer to air or any other gas that can be used to inflate an inflatable mattress. "Air mattress" therefore refers to a mattress that can be inflated with any such gas. Although the bed is illustrated as a stretcher, the present invention includes any type of bed/surface for supporting a patient, and will be referred to as a bed apparatus including any form of patient support apparatus, such as a stretcher or hospital bed, etc. The supply system 18 has a compartment 20 for storage of one or more air mattresses such as air mattress 22 for placement on a bed/stretcher 12. The supply system 18 has included a gas/air blower 24, a gas/air hose 26 and apparatus for storing the hose 28. A power supply 30 is included, having a rechargeable battery and recharging supply. A power cord 32 and cord storage 36 is provided. The cord 32 can be plugged into an AC outlet for running the blower, and/or simply for charging the battery. With the battery charged, the blower can be operated without the need to plug the cord into an outlet. The supply 30 has an on-off switch 38, and alternatively a display/indicator 40 for showing the degree of charge on the supply battery. The hose 26 has a connector 42 on a distal end for connection to a receptacle 44 on the air mattress 22. As a further embodiment, an alternative power switch 43 is provided near the connector 42. As an alternate embodiment, various portions of the system 10 may be coated in part or totally with an antimicrobial coating, indicated symbolically with dots in FIG. 1 on a portion 46. [0046] The air mattress 22 is constructed with small holes in the bottom surface 48 to allow gas to exit from inside the mattress 22 so as to create an air cushion for levitating the air mattress. As an alternate embodiment, the bottom surface with the holes is marked to indicate that it is to be placed downward. The top surface 50 is preferably a very light color, more preferably white to more easily observe contamination. The purpose of the very light top surface is to allow operating personnel to more easily identify contamination on the top surface. A substantial portion of the air mattress 22 (approximately 90%) is preferably constructed of nylon, and as a result is less expensive to fabricate than prior art air mattresses. The low cost, disposable air mattress of the present invention is a major improvement in sanitation for an inflatable air mattress, since contaminant particles can become embedded in the air mattress material which makes cleaning difficult. This is a particular problem because when an air mattress is inflated, the gas pressure forces contaminants from the material, making them air borne.

[0047] The inflatable air mattress 22 can be positioned on a firm surface or alternatively the air mattress 22 can be placed either on top of or under a non-inflatable mattress. These alternative positions are illustrated more clearly in a planar view, as shown and discussed in reference to FIG. 7.

[0048] FIG. 2 illustrates the integration of a supply system 52 on an adjustable hospital bed 54. The supply system 52 has the features of the supply system 18 that is integrated on the stretcher of FIG. 1. The bed 54 and stretcher 12 are only symbolically illustrated. Those skilled in the art will know how to construct a stretcher and adjustable hospital bed. The present invention includes the combination of any stretcher or bed with a supply system attached/integrated such as supply 18 or 52. Planar items 55, 56, 57, 59 and adjusters 58 are symbolically shown to indicate an adjustable patient surface, and optional adjustable legs are indicated symbolically by legs 60 and adjusters 62. A hose 64 is shown connected to the air mattress 22. The air mattress 22 shown in FIG. 2 is shown placed on firm planar elements/items 55 59. The mattress 22 of FIG. 2 can also be placed on top of or under a non-inflatable mattress in a similar way as that described in reference to FIG. 1, and shown and described in reference to FIG. 7.

[0049] An alternate embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 3 for use in applying the system to existing beds. In this embodiment, a portable supply cart 66 is provided for supplying air to an air mattress 22. The cart 66 has wheels 68 and a handle 70 for convenient portability. The cart 66 also has features similar to those described in reference to the supply 18 of FIG. 1, including a storage compartment for storage of one or more air mattresses 22, a rechargeable power supply, a hose 26 and power cord 32, one or more on-off switches located either at 76 or 43 or at both positions, and alternatively a display 80 for showing the degree of charge on a rechargeable battery cart inside and outside included in the cart 66. As an alternate embodiment, the cart 66 can have an antimicrobial coating 81 on part or all of the cart inside and outside surfaces. An antimicrobial surface in the mat storage chamber 86 (FIG. 4) helps maintain the sanitary condition of a mat or mats stored therein prior to their use on a bed. The view of the air mattress 22 of FIG. 3 allows illustration of the bottom surface 48 and the holes for exit of gas/air, noted as items 82.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a view of the cart 66 with a lid 84 open to show enclosure/compartment 86 for storing one or more air mattresses 22. [0051] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the cart 66 for showing a gas/air blower 88 and a power supply 90 as part of the cart 66. The blower 88 and supply 90 have the same functions as the blower 24 and supply 30 of FIG. 1.

[0052] FIG. 6 provides a more detailed view of the receptacle 44 and connector 42 introduced in reference to FIG. 1. This connector and receptacle combination is an improvement over prior art apparatus used to connect to inflatable mattresses for providing an air cushion for moving patients. The prior art connections are made with hook and loop material that can harbor contamination. The nonporous surface of the material of the apparatus of FIG. 6 is more sanitary since it can be easily cleaned.

[0053] FIG. 7 illustrates a system of the present invention in operation. A patient 90 is on a first bed apparatus 92, and is to be moved onto an adjacent second bed apparatus 94. The patient 90 has been placed on an inflatable mattress 22 for providing an air cushion 96, and the supply system 18 has the hose 26 connected to the air mattress 22 and is supplying a gas, a portion of which is forced out exit holes 82, causing the air mattress 22 to float on a cushion of air/gas 96. An attendant can at this stage, move the air mattress 22 with patient over onto the bed 94. The planar view of FIG. 7 is also used in the present disclosure to illustrate placing the air mattress either above or below a non-inflatable mattress. Dashed outline 93 illustrates a non-inflatable mattress on which air mattress 22 is placed. A similar non-inflatable mattress 95 can also be placed on bed 94. Alternatively, the air mattress 22 can be placed under a non-inflatable mattress 97 upon which the patient 90 is placed. Any combination of inflatable air mattresses as described herein with non-inflatable mattresses on any of the various beds described in the present disclosure are included in the present invention. [0054] FIG. 8 shows a bed with the inflatable mattress and supply system similar to that displayed in FIG. 1, except for the addition of a board 98 for stabilization of a patient 100. The board 98 is shown attached to the inflatable air mattress 102 with fasteners 104. Other methods for attaching/retaining the board 98 to the mattress 102 will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and these are also included in the spirit of the present invention. One example of another method of retaining the board would be to insert it in a pocket attached to or integral with the mattress 102. For further stabilization of the patient 100, straps 105 and 106 may be included, attached to the board 98 as shown, or to the mattress 102. A board as described with the attachment can be used whenever the inflatable mattress is used, in all of the applications as described in the present disclosure. The mattress 102 may be placed directly on the firm surface of the stretcher 12, or on a similar surface of a hospital bed, or it can be placed over a non- inflatable mattress as described in reference to FIG. 7.

[0055] FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a body transport apparatus 200 in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The body transport apparatus 200, in this embodiment, may include an inflatable air mattress 22 including a top portion 50 and a bottom portion 48. The bottom portion 48 may include a plurality of air exit holes 82 configured to provide an air cushion under the mattress 22 when the mattress 22 is inflated. A cover portion 202 connected to the mattress 22 adjacent a perimeter 204 of the top portion 50 to cooperatively define with the top portion an enclosed volume 206 above the top portion 50. The cover portion 202 may include a selectively closeable passageway 208. A flap 210 may be defined in the cover portion 202 and may include a fold line 212 disposed adjacent the perimeter 204 of the top portion 50. The flap 210 may be movable about the fold line 212 between a first position defining an open configuration 214 to provide access through a defined opening 216 to the enclosed volume 206 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) and a second position defining a closed configuration 218 to prevent access to the enclosed volume 206 ( see FIG. 9). A receptacle 44 may be disposed on a flange extending from the mattress 22 to facilitate connection to an air supply and remain away from contact with the body or patient when the mattress is inflated, which is a benefit over the prior art. A closure assembly 220 may be connected to a perimeter of the flap 222 and the perimeter of the defined opening 224 that is selectively engagable in a first orientation wherein a first portion 226 of the closure assembly 220 connected to the flap 210 is disconnected from a second portion 228 of the closure assembly 220 connected to the defined opening 216 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) and a second orientation wherein the first portion 226 is connected to the second portion 228. The structure of the closure assembly 220 may be selected from the group consisting of a zipper, a hook and loop fastener 230, or the like, etc. to perform the intended functionality. The passageway 208 may be defined by a drain 232 connected to the cover portion 202 that may also include a selectively removable cover 234 to facilitate retention of fluid within the enclosed volume 206. The passageway may be welded to the cover portion and be constructed with a ¾" internal diameter. A stabilizing board 98 may be releasably connected to the top portion 50 of the mattress 22 and apparatus 105, 106 for securing a body 100 to the board 98, as shown in FIG. 8 and described herein. In one embodiment, the cover portion 202 may be opaque, have a black color or the like, etc. In one embodiment, the cover portion may be constructed of a black 4 ounce vinyl, the top portion may be constructed of a white 10 ounce PVC coated nylon and the bottom portion may be constructed of a royal blue 10 ounce PVC coated nylon. The body transport apparatus of this embodiment may be used to collect waste and drainage from the body. The drain passageways facilitate collected of such fluids generated during the wash down of the body and as a result of decomposition. After the body has been washed when disposed atop the body transport apparatus of this embodiment and all fluids collected in the enclosed volume, the covers may be applied to the drains. The mattress is log rolled under the body such that the body may be fully disposed and contained within the enclosed volume. When the body needs to be transported, the air supply is connected to the receptacle to inflate the mattress.

[0056] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a body transport apparatus 300 in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The body transport apparatus 200 of this embodiment may include an inflatable air mattress 22 including a top surface 50 and a bottom surface 48 that may include a plurality of air exit holes 82 configured to provide an air cushion under the mattress 22 when the mattress 22 is inflated. A first receptacle 44.1 may be integrated into the mattress 22 or a flange 302 that extends from the mattress 22 for connection to a supply of gas as described herein. A cover portion 304 may be connected to the mattress 22 adjacent a perimeter 306 of the top portion 50 to cooperatively define with the top portion 50 an enclosed volume 308 above the top portion 50. The cover portion 304 may include a top surface 310 and a side surface 312. A plurality of hollows 314 may be defined in the cover portion 304 when inflated by connection of a plurality of preselected portions of the top surface 316 to the top portion 50 to define a body contact area of the top surface that is less than a surface area of the top surface 310. A second receptacle 44.2 may be integrated into the cover portion 304 for connection to a supply of gas as described herein. Preferably, the mattress 22 is separately and independently inflatable from the enclosed volume 308. The second receptacle 44.2 may include a cover 318 to seal the enclosed volume 308 after inflation to maintain the enclosed volume 308 in an inflated state regardless of a state of inflation of the mattress 22. The cover 318 may include a cap connected to the second receptacle 44.2, a self-closing flap disposed within the opening of the second receptacle 44.2 that is normally closed except when connected to the connector at the distal end of the hose, or the like, etc. In one embodiment, a ratio of the body contact area to surface area is less than 50%. In another embodiment, the ratio of the body contact area to surface area is less than 20%. The body contact area may be defined as that portion of the top surface 310 that is disposed above the top portion 50 at a distance of at least 90% of a vertical extent 318 of the side surface 312. The body transport apparatus of this embodiment may be log rolled under the patient. The air supply is then used to inflate the cover portion and once the desired comfort level for the patient is achieved, the air supply may be disconnected and the cover applied to the second receptacle. When the patient needs to be transported, the air supply is connected to the first receptacle to inflate the mattress and the patient may be moved as described herein.

[0057] FIG. 14 illustrates a bottom view of a body transport apparatus 400 in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The body transport apparatus 400 in this embodiment may include an inflatable air mattress 22 including a top portion 50 and a bottom portion 48 that may include a plurality of air exit holes 82 configured to provide an air cushion under the mattress 22 when the mattress 22 is inflated and a plurality of straps 402 that may include a plurality of end straps 404 connected at a proximal end 406 to the bottom portion 48 and having a free distal end 408 and a plurality of side straps 410 connected at a central portion 412 to the bottom portion and having a pair of free distal ends 414. In one embodiment, the side straps 410 have a length 416 greater than a width 418 of the mattress 22. A molded handle 418 may be disposed at the distal end 408, 414 of each strap 404, 410. The molded handle 418 may be configured as having an aperture, as shown in the end straps 404 or a solid raised element, as shown in the side straps 410. Each strap 404, 410 may have a color of safety neon orange, yellow, green, pink or the like, etc. The side straps 410 may extend across the width 418 of the mattress 22 without interference with the air exit holes 82. The straps 404, 410 may be configured from a 2 inch wide nylon webbing in one embodiment. Preferably, in this embodiment, straps 404, 410 are constructed and connected to the mattress 22 in such a manner as to provide additional functionality in a non-inflated state. Namely, an injured person disposed in a difficult to access location or on a non-flat location may be rolled onto the uninflated mattress 22 and the straps 404, 410, especially the side straps 410, may be used to move the person to a safer or different location. From that point, the straps 404, 410 may be used to lift the person to a stretch or other similar transport apparatus as described herein. Without the straps 404, 410, the mattress 22 would fail to function in the manner described with respect to this embodiment since the straps 404, 410 provide the needed additional strength and reinforcement.

[0058] FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a body transport apparatus 500 in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the body transport apparatus 500 may include a top portion 50 and a bottom portion 48 including a perimeter seal 502 and a complementary, interiorly disposed, seal 504 laterally offset from the perimeter seal 502 so as to define a non-inflatable frame portion 506 and an inflatable air mattress portion 22. In one preferred embodiment, the top and bottom portions 50, 48 may be formed from any suitable material for the intended functionality, such as, for example only, 70 denier nylon with a PVC coating that may have an anti- static treatment, or may comprise a luminescent material, etc. or the like. Anti-static treatment or formulation of the material for the top and/or bottom portions 50, 48 has been found to be advantageous when in use to avoid unwanted electrical discharge, etc. or the like. A top and/or bottom portion 50, 48 constructed of a luminescent material has been found to be a considerable advantage to first responders, paramedics, etc. or the like because it can be easily determined when the patient is properly oriented on the body transport apparatus 500 prior to movement of the patient. In one embodiment, the luminescent material may be luminescent PVC, vinyl, foil, cellulose, film, sheet, etc. or the like. Additionally, it is preferable that the luminescent material provide a desirable level of illumination or lumens in a dark space. Such as, for example only, at least 1 lumen/square foot or greater has been found to be advantageous and beneficial.

[0059] The perimeter seal 502 is formed around the perimeter margin of the top and bottom portions so as to be a permanent bond, weld, fusion, joining, coupling, etc. such as, for example only, by any suitable process, including, without limitation, sonic, thermal, adhesive, etc. or the like. Preferably, the inner seal 504 is likewise formed to define the frame portion 506 as a roughly equal width band about the perimeter of the inflatable mattress portion 22 that does not inflate. One of skill in the art will recognize that the permanent seal is where the top and bottoms portions 50, 48 are so joined that the individual elements are indistinguishable from one another. Preferably, the prior described seals, joining, etc. is threadless (i.e., with no stitching or bias binding around the edges, handles or any other seam, seal or the like) so as to provide at least a couple of sizeable advantages over the prior art. Namely, infection control and artifact- free. Infection control is particularly advantageous in the health care or hospital use application where a patient may be either afflicted or exposed to infectious agents. Products that use threads or stitching will generally enable the infectious agents to fester, grow, transfer, etc. even after cleaning. Since the threading/stitching extends through the layers of the mattress, there are portions that cannot be cleaned, hence the disadvantages of the prior art designs. Additionally, when it is necessary for a patient to be x-rayed, if disposed on a mattress with threads or stitching, the threads and/or stitching will appear as artifacts (i.e., remnant images) in the x-ray which may make diagnosis more difficult or lead to misdiagnosis.

[0060] A channel 514 may be defined in and through the frame portion 506 by extended portions of the interior complementary seal 504 that interconnect with the permanent seal 502 so that the inflatable air mattress portion 22 extends into and through the frame portion 506 to form a flange 302 so that a remote receptacle 44 is disposed exterior of the perimeter seal 502. Use of the receptacle 44 is as described above. As also described in more detail above, the bottom portion 48 includes a plurality of air exit holes configured to provide an air cushion under the mattress portion 22 when the mattress portion 22 is inflated, as described in detail herein.

[0061] FIG. 16 illustrates a detailed break-away view of the body transport apparatus 500 of FIG. 15. Preferably, the frame portion 506 includes a plurality of openings 508 formed therein to each define a handle 510 for a user to grasp in order to manipulate the body transport apparatus 500. In one embodiment, each opening 508 may include a support ring 512 disposed between the top portion 50 and the bottom portion 48 about a perimeter of the opening 508 and permanently bonded, sealed, fused, etc. or the like to the top and bottom portions 50, 48. It will be recognized by one of skill in the art that the support ring 512, when permanently bonded in position, will provide reinforcement to the opening 508 and the frame portion 506 when in use with a patient disposed on the inflatable air mattress portion 22 and distribute the pulling loader imparted by a caregiver, attendant, orderly, etc. or the like more evenly across the seal 504 of the inflatable mattress 22 portion. Preferably, the support ring 512 is formed of any suitable, substantially rigid, yet semi-flexible material that will readily bond, fuse, adhere, join, connect, etc. or the like to the top and bottom portions 50, 48, not only to positively located the support ring 512, but also to close any potential entrance to the frame portion 506 and thereby reduce the likelihood of later contamination or infection. Advantageously, the body transport apparatus 500 includes three handles on each side to enable a single person, attendant, nurse, etc. to move a patient that weights in excess of 300, 400 or 500+ lbs. from a bed to a stretcher, from a stretcher to an exam or x-ray table, etc. or the like, commonly referred to as patient support surfaces. Such a process overcomes disadvantages of the prior art. After the body support apparatus 500 is inflated, the attendant may grasp the two handles 508 disposed immediately adjacent the upper or torso portion of the patient in order to move this portion of the body transport apparatus 500 from the bed to the stretcher. Then, as a second step, the attendant will grasp the two handles 508 disposed immediately adjacent the lower portion of the patient to move this port of the body transport apparatus 500 from the bed to the stretcher to complete the transfer process. One of skill in the art will recognize that the prior art two handle design is incapable of provide the same functionality because the placement of the handles cannot provide the attendant with the necessary leverage without incredible exertion or more commonly, at least one additional attendant. Moreover, the prior art no handle design would require a minimum of three attendants since none will have satisfactory leverage and will hence have to provide straight push and/or pull forces that cannot be concentrated like with an appropriately positioned handle.

[0062] Referring back to FIG. 15, one embodiment of the body transport apparatus 500 may include the inflatable air mattress portion 22 including a marking for indicating that the bottom 48 portion is to be positioned downward. For example only, such marking may include the bottom portion 48 colored dark relative to the top portion 50. In a preferred embodiment, the top portion 50 of the inflatable air mattress portion 22 may have a light color, such as white, off- white, cream, beige, light yellow, light blue, etc. or the like for ease of observing fluids, as described above. The inflatable air mattress portion 22 may include a plurality of laterally extending furrows 516 defined by bonded segments of the top and bottom portions 50, 48 to define a plurality of baffles 518 connected to common margin volumes 520 disposed along longitudinal sides 522 of the inflatable air mattress portion 22. The furrows or bonded segments 516 may be formed in the same manner as the permanent seals about the perimeter of the frame portion 502 and the inflatable air mattress portion 22. Preferably, the segments 516 extend no more than approximately 65% of a lateral extent 524 of the inflatable air mattress portion 22. Furthermore, indicia 526 may be disposed on the inflatable air mattress portion 22 to indicate proper orientation of the upper torso and/or lower portions of a patient. Another advantage of the body transport apparatus as described herein is the increased strength thereof. For example, prior art designs of a body transport apparatus having handles are known to experience handle failures when loads in excess of 150 lbs. are exerted on the handles. Notably, the stitching is the most common point of failure. One of skill in the art would think that increasing the size of the thread would increase the load carrying capacity. However, the larger thread then introduces issues as to proper sealing, increased costs, etc. Applicant has tested the subject body transport apparatus and the handles in particular with loads in excess of 175 lbs. without failure. This is advantages when the body transport apparatus is used in connection with the transport or movement of a patient that may weigh in excess of 300, 400 or 500+ lbs.

[0063] FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of a body transport apparatus 600 in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a partial body transport apparatus 600 may be configured substantially as described above with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, except the channel 614 is defined in the frame portion 608 so that the inflatable air mattress portion 22 extends into the frame portion 608 so that the remote receptacle 44 is disposed within the perimeter seal 602. Additionally, the inflatable air mattress portion 22 may have a longitudinal extent 602 that is approximately 75% to 125% of a lateral extent 604 of the inflatable air mattress portion 22. Such a configuration is advantageous when necessary to use the body transport apparatus 600 in accordance with the upper or lower portion of a patient's body separate and apart from the other half of the patient's body.

[0064] Furthermore, while the particular preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the teaching of the disclosure. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as limitation. The actual scope of the disclosure is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the related art.