Patent ID: 7415738
Filing Date: 2008-08-26
Classification: A61G

Abstract:
1. A method of moving a patient on a support surface comprising the steps of: providing an inflatable patient transfer mattress including holes in a bottom surface for creating a cushion of escaping air beneath the mattress to facilitate sliding of the mattress on a support surface, the mattress including at least a first inflatable segment and a second inflatable segment, the segments adapted for releasable attachment to each other such that the segments are arranged in an end-to-end fashion, the first segment having opposite first and second ends; attaching the second segment to the first segment at the first end of the first segment; placing the transfer mattress on the support surface such that the first segment is located at a first location on the support surface; positioning a patient on the mattress such that at least a portion of the patient is supported on the first segment; inflating at the least the first segment of the mattress; sliding the mattress on the support surface while the patient is supported on the transfer mattress such that the first segment is moved from the first location on the support surface to a second location on the support surface; separating the second segment from the first end of the first segment while the patient remains supported on the first segment; rearranging the second segment with respect to the first segment to position the second segment at the second end of the first segment such that a portion of the patient is supported on each segment of the mattress; and attaching the second segment to the second end of the first segment.