System and method for providing spinal alignment in surgical and non-medical environments

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a mattress system that provides proper spinal alignment when a person is in the lateral decubitis position for long periods of time, such as when a person is undergoing surgical procedures. Thus the present invention is configured to work within the confines of standard surgical tables. By allowing a section of a mattress under the arm and shoulder of the patient to be easily removed, damaging pressures on the patient's shoulder and pressure injuries in the lateral decubitus position are greatly diminished.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mattress system for preventing damaging pressures on the patient's shoulder and pressure injuries in the lateral decubitus position, comprising:
 a body mattress having a head pad, a shoulder pad, an upper body pad and a lower body pad wherein said shoulder pad is removably connected to said body pad;   said head pad comprising an upper pad portion and a lower pad portion;   said shoulder pad comprising an upper and a lower pad portion;   said lower body pad comprising an upper and lower pad portion   wherein each of said shoulder pad and said body pad having a width, length and depth such that said shoulder pad and said body pad provide proper support and body alignment so as to prevent said damaging pressures and proper orthopaedic support.   
     
     
         2 . A mattress system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said shoulder pad further comprises a detachable strap handle. 
     
     
         3 . A mattress system as recited in  claim 2  wherein said lower portion of said head, shoulder, and lower body portions and said body portion are attached to a surgical table by a removable fastening means. 
     
     
         4 . A mattress system as recited in  claim 3  wherein said detachable strap handle and said fastening means comprise a hook and loop system. 
     
     
         5 . A system as recited in  claim 4  wherein said body pad further comprises a first loop and at least one second loop such that said shoulder pad is constructed so as to fold over on to itself and disengage from said body pad and said fastening means and further constructed so as to pull through said first loop;
 said fastening means are constructed so as to attach to said at least one second loop so as to form a handle; 
 said first loop further constructed so as to be positioned away from said at least one second loop to prevent contact with said body pad; 
 said shoulder pad further constructed so as to be removed thereby providing ease of shoulder pressure.