Lateral support and positioning device

Abstract

A lateral support and positioning device for kinetic therapy treatment includes a main body ( 10 ) having a geometry defined by a lower surface ( 20 ), opposite sides ( 30,40 ) and an upper surface ( 50 ) having a convex arcuate surface geometry for maintaining a patient at a desired lateral incline angle, while minimizing the surface contact area between the upper surface of the device and the body of a patient during use.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A lateral support and positioning device having a main body comprising: 
 a lower surface structured for positioning on a patient support surface, said lower surface bounded by a front edge, an opposing rear edge, and opposing first and second side edges;    first and second opposite sides extending upwardly from the respective first and second side edges of said lower surface, each of said first and second sides having a rear edge and a top edge;    a rear surface extending between said rear edge of said lower surface and said rear edge of said first and second side, said rear surface having a top edge; and    an upper surface for supporting a patient thereupon, said upper surface extending from said front edge of said lower surface to said top edge of said rear surface so as to support said patient at an angle of incline with respect to said lower surface of up to 60 degrees.    
     
     
         2 . A lateral support and positioning device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said upper surface of said main body is concave down to minimize a localized contact area supporting said patient.  
     
     
         3 . A lateral support and positioning device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said rear surface is arched.  
     
     
         4 . A lateral support and positioning device as recited in  claim 3  wherein said rear surface is arched into said main body.  
     
     
         5 . A lateral support and positioning device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said main body is constructed of flexible polyurethane foam.  
     
     
         6 . A lateral support and positioning device as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said polyurethane foam is resilient.  
     
     
         7 . A lateral support and positioning device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second sides are substantially flat.  
     
     
         8 . A lateral support and positioning device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said lower surface is substantially flat.  
     
     
         9 . A lateral support and positioning device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said lower surface is configured to frictionally engage said patient support surface.  
     
     
         10 . A lateral support and positioning device having a main body comprising: 
 a lower surface structured for positioning on a patient support surface, said lower surface having a front edge, an opposing rear edge, and opposing first and second side edges;    first and second sides extending upwardly from said first and second side edges of said lower surface, each of said sides having a rear edge and a top edge;    a rear surface extending between said rear edge of said lower surface and said rear edges of said first and second sides, said rear surface having a top edge; and    an upper surface for supporting a patient thereupon, said upper surface extending from said front edge of said lower surface to said top edge of said rear surface so as to support said patient at an angle of incline with respect to said lower surface in the range of about 40 degrees to about 60 degrees,    said upper surface structured having a convex arcuate geometry down for minimizing the localized contact area between the upper surface and the patient during use.    
     
     
         11 . A lateral support and positioning device as recited in  claim 10  wherein said main body is constructed from a resilient material.  
     
     
         12 . A lateral support and positioning device as recited in  claim 10  wherein said rear surface has a concave arcuate geometry.  
     
     
         13 . A lateral support and positioning device as recited in  claim 10  wherein said lower surface is configured to frictionally engage said patient support surface for minimizing slippage therebetween.  
     
     
         14 . A lateral support and positioning device as recited in  claim 10  wherein said lower surface is substantially flat.  
     
     
         15 . A lateral support and positioning device having a main body comprising: 
 a substantially flat lower surface structured for placement on a patient support surface, said lower surface having a front edge, an opposing rear edge, and opposing first and second side edges;    substantially planar first and second sides extending upwards from said first and second side edges of said lower surface, each of said sides having a rear edge and a top edge;    an arcuate rear surface extending between said rear edge of said lower surface and said rear edge of said first and second side, said arcuate rear surface having a top edge; and    an upper surface for supporting a patient thereupon, said upper surface having a convex arcuate geometry and extending from the front edge of said lower surface upwardly toward the top edge of said rear surface so as to support said patient at an angle of incline with respect to said lower surface within a range of about 40 degrees to about 60 degrees,    wherein the convex arcuate surface geometry of said upper surface substantially minimizes the surface contact area between the upper surface and the body of a patient during use.    
     
     
         16 . A lateral support and positioning device as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said lower surface is configured to frictionally engage said patient support surface.  
     
     
         17 . A lateral support and positioning device as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said rear surface is has a concave arcuate surface geometry.  
     
     
         18 . A lateral support and positioning device as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said main body is constructed from polyurethane foam.