Orthopedic shoulder pillow

Abstract

An orthopedic pillow designed to address the limitations in current available shoulder pillows. An orthopedic pillow according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure has a bottom surface bounded by a leading edge, a trailing edge, and first and second side edges; a first end surface intersecting with the leading edge and oriented perpendicular to the bottom surface; a second end surface intersecting with the trailing edge and oriented perpendicular to the bottom surface; and a contoured upper surface extending from the first side edge to second side edge, the contoured upper surface intersecting with the first end surface and the second end surface.

1 . An orthopedic pillow comprising:
 a bottom surface bounded by a leading edge, a trailing edge, and first and second side edges;   a first end surface intersecting with said leading edge and oriented perpendicular to said bottom surface;   a second end surface intersecting with said trailing edge and oriented perpendicular to said bottom surface; and   a contoured upper surface extending from said first side edge to second side edge, said contoured upper surface intersecting with said first end surface and said second end surface.   
     
     
         2 . The orthopedic pillow of  claim 1 , wherein said contoured upper surface comprises two convex surfaces and a concave surface. 
     
     
         3 . The orthopedic pillow of  claim 3 , wherein said concave surface is between said convex surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The orthopedic pillow of  claim 1 , wherein said orthopedic pillow comprises a compressible material. 
     
     
         5 . The orthopedic pillow of  claim 4 , wherein when said compressible material is under pressure it compresses, and wherein when said pressure is relieved said compressible material returns to substantially its original shape. 
     
     
         6 . The orthopedic pillow of  claim 4 , wherein said compressible material comprises a urethane foam. 
     
     
         7 . The orthopedic pillow of  claim 1 , wherein said orthopedic pillow comprises a collapsible air bladder. 
     
     
         8 . The orthopedic pillow of  claim 7 , wherein a compressible material surrounds said collapsible air bladder. 
     
     
         9 . The orthopedic pillow of  claim 1 , wherein said first end surface extends from said bottom surface to a lesser extent than said second end surface extends from said bottom surface. 
     
     
         10 . An orthopedic pillow system comprising:
 a first orthopedic pillow, said first orthopedic pillow comprising:
 a bottom surface bounded by a leading edge, a trailing edge, and first and second side edges, 
 a first end surface intersecting with said leading edge and oriented perpendicular to said bottom surface, 
 a second end surface intersecting with said trailing edge and oriented perpendicular to said bottom surface, and 
 a contoured upper surface extending from said first side edge to second side edge, said contoured upper surface intersecting with said first end surface and said second end surface; and 
   a second orthopedic pillow, said second orthopedic pillow comprising:
 a top surface bounded by a leading margin, a trailing margin, and first and second side margins, 
 a first end face intersecting with said leading margin and oriented perpendicular to said top surface, 
 a second end face intersecting with said trailing margin and oriented perpendicular to said top surface, 
 a first side face intersecting with said first side margin and oriented perpendicular to said top surface, and 
 a second side face intersecting with said second side margin and oriented perpendicular to said top surface; 
   wherein said bottom surface of said first orthopedic pillow is in contact with said top surface of said second orthopedic pillow.   
     
     
         11 . A method of alleviating shoulder joint strain, the method comprising the step of:
 inserting an orthopedic pillow under a torso of a person lying in a lateral decubitus position, the orthopedic pillow comprising:   a bottom surface bounded by a leading edge, a trailing edge, and first and second side edges,   a first end surface intersecting with said leading edge, and oriented perpendicular to said bottom surface,   a second end surface intersecting with said trailing edge, and oriented perpendicular to said bottom surface, and   a contoured upper surface extending from said first side edge to second side edge, said contoured upper surface intersecting with said first end surface and said second end surface,   wherein said first end extends from said bottom surface to a lesser extent than said second end, and   wherein said second end is adjacent said person's axilla.   
     
     
         12 . The method of alleviating shoulder joint strain of  claim 11 , wherein said contoured upper surface of said orthopedic pillow comprises two convex surfaces and a concave surface, and wherein said person's torso is in contact with said concave surface. 
     
     
         13 . The method of alleviating shoulder joint strain of  claim 12 , wherein said concave surface of said orthopedic pillow is between said convex surfaces. 
     
     
         14 . The method of alleviating shoulder joint strain of  claim 11 , wherein said orthopedic pillow is constructed of a compressible material. 
     
     
         15 . The method of alleviating shoulder joint strain of  claim 11 , wherein when said compressible material is under pressure it compresses, and wherein when said pressure is relieved said compressible material returns to substantially its original shape. 
     
     
         16 . The method of alleviating shoulder joint strain of  claim 11 , wherein said compressible material comprises a urethane foam. 
     
     
         17 . The method of alleviating shoulder joint strain of  claim 11  wherein said orthopedic pillow comprises a collapsible air bladder, further comprising the step of:
 inflating said collapsible air bladder. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of alleviating shoulder joint strain of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of:
 inserting a second orthopedic pillow under said first orthopedic pillow, said second orthopedic pillow comprising:   a top surface bounded by a leading margin, a trailing margin, and first and second side margins;   a first end face intersecting with said leading margin and oriented perpendicular to said top surface;   a second end face intersecting with said trailing margin and oriented perpendicular to said top surface;   a first side face intersecting with said first side margin and oriented perpendicular to said top surface; and   a second side face intersecting with said second side margin and oriented perpendicular to said top surface.   
     
     
         19 . The method of alleviating shoulder joint strain of  claim 18  wherein said second orthopedic pillow comprises a collapsible air bladder, further comprising the step of:
 inflating said collapsible air bladder.