Anatomically-correct support systems and methods for a reclining person

Abstract

The present invention provides a neutral spine support system that includes a lower body bolster, an upper body supporter and an optional coverall. The lower body bolster includes a raised leg supporter, a leg spacer and a pelvic supporter, while the upper body supporter includes a back support, a neck rest, a head cradle, a right head support and a left head support. The raised leg supporter supports the legs in a raised-knee position, and includes cutouts to reduce direct knee pressure. The pelvic supporter supports the user's pelvic region and rotates the sacrum base upwards while avoiding direct sacrum pressure. The back support keeps the user's upper and middle spine in an open and neutral position.

1 . A lower body bolster useful in association with a reclining user, the bolster comprising:
 a raised leg supporter configured to support a pair of legs of a reclining user in a substantially raised-knee position, and wherein the leg supporter includes cutouts configured to reduce pressure on undersides of knees of the user;   a leg spacer rising substantially upwards from the raised leg supporter while in a neutral position, and wherein the leg spacer configured to comfortably separate the legs by supporting thighs of the user while reducing pressure on sides of the knees; and   a pelvic supporter adjacent to the raised leg supporter, and wherein the pelvic supporter is configured to support a pelvic region of the reclining user by substantially supporting gluteus maximus muscles of the user and rotating a sacrum base of the user upwards while reducing pressure on the sacrum.   
     
     
         2 . The bolster of  claim 1  wherein the bolster includes a hull shaped to enable the reclining user to roll together with the bolster in both a clockwise direction and in an anti-clockwise direction from the neutral position. 
     
     
         3 . The bolster of  claim 2  wherein contour of the hull is configurable. 
     
     
         4 . The bolster of  claim 2  wherein the clockwise and anti-clockwise directions range from approximately 90 clockwise and 90 anti-clockwise, respectively, from the neutral direction. 
     
     
         5 . The bolster of  claim 1  further comprising a calf extension adjacent to the raised knee supporter, and wherein the calf extension is configured to support a pair of calves of the reclining user. 
     
     
         6 . The bolster of  claim 2  further comprising ballast configured to change a center of gravity of the rollable bolster relative to an axis of rotation of the bolster. 
     
     
         7 . The bolster of  claim 6  wherein the center of gravity of the bolster is adjustable. 
     
     
         8 . The bolster of  claim 1  further comprising a structural reinforcement configured to stiffen the leg spacer. 
     
     
         9 . The bolster of  claim 1  further comprising at least one ventilating channel. 
     
     
         10 . The bolster of  claim 1  further comprising at least one of a cooling channel and a heating channel. 
     
     
         11 . A method for providing a neutral-spine position for a reclining user, the method comprising:
 supporting a pair of legs of a reclining user in a substantially raised-knee position while reducing pressure on undersides of knees of the user;   separating the legs by supporting a pair of thighs of the user while reducing pressure on sides of the knees;   supporting a pelvic region of the reclining user by substantially supporting gluteus maximus muscles of the user and rotating a sacrum base of the user upwards while reducing pressure on the sacrum; and   wherein the reclining user is able to roll in both a clockwise direction and in an anti-clockwise direction from a neutral position while remaining supported.   
     
     
         12 . A neutral-spine support system useful in association with a reclining user, the support system comprising:
 a lower body bolster which includes:
 a raised leg supporter configured to support a pair of legs of a reclining user in a substantially raised-knee position while reducing pressure on undersides of knees of the user; 
 a leg spacer rising substantially upwards from the raised leg supporter while in a neutral position, and wherein the leg spacer is configured to comfortably separate the pair of legs by supporting thighs of the user while reducing pressure on sides of the knees; and 
 a pelvic supporter adjacent to the raised leg supporter, and wherein the pelvic supporter is configured to support a pelvic region of the reclining user by substantially supporting gluteus maximus muscles of the user and rotating a sacrum base of the user upwards while reducing pressure on the sacrum; and 
   an upper body supporter which includes:
 a back support configured to support an upper and middle back of the user in the neutral position; 
 a neck rest configured to support a neck of the user in a face-up position; 
 a head cradle configured to support a head of the user when in the face-up position; 
 a right head support configured to support a right face of the head when the user is lying on a right side; and 
 a left head support configured to support a left face of the head when the user is lying on a left side. 
   
     
     
         13 . The support system of  claim 12  wherein the bolster includes a hull shaped to enable the reclining user to roll together with the support system in both a clockwise direction and in an anti-clockwise direction from the neutral position. 
     
     
         14 . The support system of  claim 12  further comprising a calf extension adjacent to the raised knee supporter, and wherein the calf extension is configured to support a pair of calves of the user. 
     
     
         15 . The support system of  claim 12  further comprising a coverall configured to secure the user to the support system. 
     
     
         16 . The support system of  claim 13  wherein contour of the hull is configurable. 
     
     
         17 . A lower body bolster useful in association with a reclining user, the bolster comprising:
 a raised leg supporter configured to support a pair of legs of a reclining user in a substantially raised-knee position, wherein the leg supporter includes cutouts configured to reduce pressure on undersides of knees of the user, and wherein the leg supporter also includes at least one substantially flat top configured to support an upper leg of the user when the user is in a substantially side-laying position; and   a pelvic supporter and a lower back supporter, wherein pelvic supporter is adjacent to the raised leg supporter and the lower back supporter is adjacent to the pelvic supporter, and wherein the pelvic supporter and the lower back supporter are configured to support a pelvic region of the reclining user by substantially supporting gluteus maximus muscles of the user and rotating a sacrum base of the user upwards while reducing pressure on the sacrum.