Abstract:
A softgoods seat covering convertible into vehicle extraction device for immobilizing a patient while still seated in the seat of a vehicle, and for safe extraction and transport thereafter. The device uses a plurality of inflatable panels enclosed within a woven cover and connected together by inflation tubing to an inflator for simultaneous or sequential inflation. In normal, pre-blast operations, the durable, uninflated device simply acts as the outer fabric of the seat back and seat cushion, with deployable structures folded/tucked behind the seat back and under the seat pan. Upon arrival of the medic, sections of the device are sequentially deployed through inflation and secured around the patient by wraparound straps to immobilize the patient in the sitting position, and to facilitate extraction and removal in a supine position. The device is intended to mitigate injuries/casualties caused by exposure to landmine or IED blasts.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application derives priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/334,564 filed May 2016. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to emergency rescue tools and, more particularly to a device for extracting injured occupants from a vehicle. 
       2. Description of the Background 
       [0003]    In recent military conflicts, protection against vehicle underbody blasts has been a key survivability issue. Underbody blasts from buried mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) have resulted in significant casualties. Modern military vehicle hulls are typically designed to deflect the blast wave to minimize vertical loading of the vehicle and to reduce risk of hull rupture, thereby reducing occupant exposure to blast overpressure, shrapnel, fire, and gases. However, even assuming that hull integrity is maintained, significant and often injurious accelerative loading to the vehicle occupant is likely. Severe lower leg injuries commonly result from rapid acceleration and local deformation of the vehicle floor. Similarly, pelvic and lower spine injuries often occur as a result of potentially both local and global accelerative loading through the seat. Finally, head and neck injuries can also occur as a result of accelerative loading as well as impact on nearby interior structures (roof, walls, equipment, etc.), A variety of occupant protection devices have been, or are in the process of being, developed, such as energy absorbing flooring, blast attenuating seats, as well as head/neck protection systems. However, significant injury risk still remains throughout these events. Not only is there risk of failure of one of these occupant protection devices due to misuse or extreme hull/wall deflections, but there is also substantial risk of an overmatch scenario where the blast loading exceeds the design capability of the protection devices. Moreover, even in the perfect scenario when these protection devices limit loading to within design levels, there is still typically a 10-20% risk of injury associated with these acceptable injury tolerance levels. As such, in seating and vehicle design, it is important to consider how an injured occupant can be rapidly treated and evacuated post-event. 
         [0004]    Once the area is secured, a combat medic&#39;s first priority would be to address injuries involving the “ABCs” fairway, breathing, and circulation) to the extent possible within the vehicle. However, beyond perhaps applying tourniquets to extremities, most emergency interventions would likely need to be administered post vehicle extraction. As such, rapid stabilization and extraction of the patient is critical. Given the high potential for catastrophic lower leg, pelvic, and spinal fractures, patient stabilization is particularly important to reduce pain and ensure secondary injuries such as spinal cord injury, disruption of vasculature, and conversion of closed to open (compound) fracture does not occur during extraction. Given the limited space within the vehicle, what is needed is a system by which the patient can be stabilized in the seat and extracted in the seated position. 
         [0005]    It would be greatly advantageous to provide a vehicle extraction device for stabilizing and immobilizing a patient while still seated in the seat of a vehicle, then for extracting that patient in the seated position, and transporting immobilized in a supine position, thereby reducing the risk of secondary injuries throughout the process. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle extraction device for stabilizing and immobilizing a patient still seated in the seat of a vehicle, and for extracting that patient in the seated position, thereby reducing the risk of secondary injuries. 
         [0007]    It is another object to provide a vehicle extraction device that serves as a seat cover when not deployed, and which deploys for mitigation of injuries/casualties caused by exposure to severe vehicular events such as crashes, rollovers, or blast events by facilitating rapid stabilization of the head, neck, spine, chest, pelvis, and extremities according to current best practices for vehicle extraction. 
         [0008]    It is another object to provide a vehicle extraction device that affords simple tool-less deployment and detachment from the heavy/bulky seat frame. 
         [0009]    It is another object to provide a vehicle extraction device that with fabric detachment points that will not hind like metallic/rigid detachment mechanisms under heavy hull/wall deformations. 
         [0010]    It is another object to provide a vehicle extraction device that can be dragged for ease of patient extraction and allows simplified maneuverability through narrow and uneven vehicle egress paths during extraction. 
         [0011]    It is still another object to provide a vehicle extraction device that can engage existing litter racks in military ambulatory vehicles. 
         [0012]    It is another object to provide a vehicle extraction device that is entirely fabric or plastic and is X-ray transparent and MRI compatible, facilitating care. 
         [0013]    According to the present invention, the above-described and other objects are accomplished by a vehicle extraction device for immobilizing a patient while still seated in the seat of a vehicle, comprising a plurality of inflatable panels connected together by inflation tubing and simultaneously deployable from a flimsy to a substantially rigid yet resilient support structure. The inflatable panels are integrated with or contained within a cover having a hood for insertion over the vehicle headrest. In a preferred embodiment the cover is integrated with the inflatable panels, e.g., the inflatable panels are vinyl plastic or robber sheet members laminated together to a Nylon or cotton fabric exo-cover, respectively. The laminated construction is air impervious and forms rugged seals that do not tear or rip apart in use. Alternatively, one skilled in the art will recognize that the cover may be a separate component that drapes down the seat, and including pocket sections for containing the various inflatable panels. The cover is removably attached to the seat by fasteners such as book-and-loop, snaps, buckles, or the like, and when uninflated the entire device acts as a seat cover. The cover also includes a plurality of lateral wraparound straps each having a distal slide buckle for attachment to itself. In addition, an inflation mechanism for inflation of the panels to their substantially rigid position is provided, after which the wraparound straps compress the panels around the patient to immobilize the patient while still seated in the seat of the vehicle. The inflation mechanism is preferably an auto-inflation mechanism such as a CO2 cartridge inflator with simple manual release (pull tab, etc.), but one skilled in the art will readily understand that the inflation mechanism may alternatively be a pump (manual or electric), gas generator (sodium azide), or simply an oral inflation port. Once the patient is immobilized, the device can be detached from the seat and the patient extracted. The patient can be immobilized and extracted in a seated position and converted to a supine position for evacuation purposes without removal of the device. In normal, pre-blast operations, the durable, uninflated device simply acts as the outer fabric of the seat back and seat cushion, with deployable structures folded/tucked behind the seat back and under the seat pan. Upon arrival of the medic, sections of the device are sequentially deployed through inflation. Once the patient is stabilized in the sitting position, the inflated device  2  is simply detached (via snaps, etc.) from the seat frame for extraction. The combination of deployable inflatable panels, and wraparound straps provides support and secures the patient through the process, saving lives. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the vehicle extraction device according to an embodiment of the invention in use during extraction of a patient from the seat of a vehicle and conversion to a stretcher. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the vehicle extraction device of  FIG. 1  integrated with the seat of the vehicle. 
           [0017]    FIG,  3  is a perspective view of the vehicle extraction device of  FIG. 2  deployed on the seat of the vehicle. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the multi-piece inflatable bladder used in the vehicle extraction device of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the cover for the multi-piece inflatable bladder used in the vehicle extraction device of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a back view of the cover of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0021]    The present invention is a vehicle extraction device  2  for stabilizing a patient still seated in the seat of a vehicle  4 , and for extracting that patient in the seated position, thereby reducing the risk of secondary injuries. The vehicle extraction device  2  uses deployable support structures, e.g., stiff inflatable structures that inflate to provide support and secure the patient. Prior to deployment the extraction device integrates with the existing seat structure of the vehicle, but easily separates from the seat during use so that the seat (including frame, linear rails, energy absorber mechanism, etc.) can be left behind as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Thus in normal, pre-blast/crash operations, the uninflated vehicle extraction device simply acts as the outer fabric of the seat back and seat cushion, with deployable structures folded/tucked behind the seat back and under the seat pan. Upon arrival of a medic or fellow soldier, sections of the device are sequentially deployed through inflation. Then after the patient has been stabilized in the sitting position within the vehicle, the semi-rigid inflated structure is simply detached from the seat frame for extraction. There is no metallic or otherwise rigid detachment mechanism that can bind or be rendered useless after significant hull/wall deformation. Simple fabric detachment points tolerate such deformations and remain functional. Moreover, the device facilitates extraction by significantly reducing weight, and the puncture-resistant inflatable bladder described below absorbs shocks and is far more forgiving for carrying or dragging the patient through rocky and uneven egress paths as per  FIG. 1 . Finally, after extraction, the device  2  may be convened to a stretcher/litter with the patient in a flat, supine position, and may engage existing titter racks such that further patient manipulation is minimized. 
         [0022]    As seen in  FIGS. 2-3 , the vehicle extraction device  2  generally comprises a cover  10  conforming to an internal stabilizer  20  (obscured), the cover being sectionalized to include left and right head flaps  12 ,  13  upwardly flanking an upper section  14 . The upper section  14  extends down along the seat back to the seat rest. When not inflated the left and right flaps  12 ,  13  may be wrapped around back of the seat headrest and covered by an integral headrest shroud  11  as seen in  FIG. 2 . In addition, a lower section  15  extends downwardly from the upper section  14 , and opposing lower flaps  16 ,  17  downwardly flank the upper section  14 . When not inflated the lower section  15  may be wrapped underneath the seat rest as seen in  FIG. 2 . In an embodiment, the upper section  14  generally corresponds to the head, neck and torso, while the lower section  15  generally corresponds to the upper legs, pelvis, and all or part of the lower legs plus optionally the ankles and feet. The left and right upper flaps  12 ,  13  cradle the head, while the opposing lower flaps  16 ,  17  cradle the torso. In a preferred embodiment the cover  10  is integrated with the inflatable panels described below, for example, the cover  10  comprises a Nylon or cotton fabric exo-cover laminated to plastic or rubber inner inflatable panels. A laminated construction minimizes weight and cost. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the cover  10  may be a separate component. 
         [0023]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , corresponding sections of the internal stabilizer  20  include upper left and right stabilizers  22 ,  23  upwardly flanking an upper stabilizer  24 , a lower stabilizer  25  extending downwardly from the upper stabilizer  24 , and opposing lower stabilizers  26 ,  27  downwardly flanking the upper stabilizer  24 . Just as with the cover  10  (seen in  FIG. 2 ), the upper stabilizer  24  generally corresponds to the head, neck and torso, while the lower stabilizer  25  generally corresponds to the upper legs, pelvis, and all or part of the lower leas plus optionally the ankles and feet. The left and right upper stabilizers  22 ,  23  cradle the head, while the opposing lower stabilizers  26 ,  27  cradle the torso. 
         [0024]    Each section of the internal stabilizer  20  generally includes a discrete inflatable member formed of two layers of vinyl, rubber or Hypalon™ sheet welded together peripherally, and (as explained relative to the left stabilizer  22  of  FIG. 4 ) along longitudinal channels  121  to form a plurality of parallel cells  122 , similar to a traditional air mattress. The cells  122  are in fluid communication at top and bottom manifolds  125 ,  126  for rapid high-pressure inflation within a range of from 4-10 psi. The cells  122  are longitudinally oriented, herein meaning substantially parallel to patient&#39;s spine, and are placed laterally adjacent to one another, meaning substantially orthogonal to longitudinal. The cells  122  are each deployable from a flimsy to a substantially rigid structure. Cells  122  collectively provide rigidity to resist bending about a lateral axes, yet remain interstitially flexible along channels  121  to allow each stabilizer panel to be wrapped around the patient for immobilization. The upper stabilizer  24  is equipped with five fluid-flow ports including one inflation port  130  and four equalization ports  131 - 134 . The inflation port  130  is connected by tubing  151  to an inflation mechanism  160  which is preferably a CO2 cartridge-inflator with manual release. However, one skilled in the art will readily understand that the inflation mechanism  160  may alternatively be a pump (manual or electric), gas generator (sodium azide or compressed, nitrogen or argon, gas inflator with a pyrotechnic trigger identical to automotive airbag inflators), or simply a one-way oral inflation port. Two upper equalization ports  131 ,  132  located on opposite sides of the inflation port  130  are connected by tubing  151  each coupled to the inflation ports  133 ,  134  of left and right head stabilizers  22 ,  23 , respectively. Two lower equalization ports  135 ,  136  are each coupled by tubing  151  to the inflation ports  137 ,  138  of opposing torso stabilizers  26 ,  27 . The remaining equalization ports  138  is coupled by tubing  151  to the inflation port  139  of the lower leg, ankle and foot stabilizer  25 . The foregoing inflation system facilitates rapid inflation and deployment of the system  2  in case of emergency. Any or all of the foregoing ports  130 - 139  may incorporate one-way valves to prevent inadvertent total deflation in case of puncture, and any or all of the foregoing ports  130 - 139  may incorporate manual on-off valves to allow a medic to sequentially inflate the stabilizers. 
         [0025]    As seen in  FIGS. 5  (front view) and  FIG. 6  (rear view), the cover  10  comprises a durable fabric shell integrally laminated to the internal stabilizer  20 , or formed separately of fabric, e.g., 500 denier Cordura® fabric, and compartmentalized with pocket sections to hold the six internal stabilizer  20  sections. In either case the cover  10  is preferably jointed at intermediate seams between the stabilizers. Specifically, the cover  10  is sectionalized to include left and right upper flaps  12 ,  13  upwardly flanking an upper section  14 , a lower section  15  extending downwardly from the upper section  14 , and opposing lower flaps  16 ,  17  downwardly flanking the upper section  14 . An optional padded pelvic belt  19  may be provided without stabilization inserts. In addition, as seen in  FIG. 6  the rear of cover  10  includes an integral webbing system of straps suitable for multi-purpose use in fastening the device  2  to the seat, sequential immobilization of the patient, and fastening the device  2  to a stretcher. When attached to the seat, left and right upper flaps  12 ,  13  fold around back of the head rest and an upper flap  21  drapes overtop the headrest. The cover  10  includes a separate head rest shroud  11  that slips over the folded flaps  12 ,  13 ,  21  and the seat headrest to maintain the device  2  folded. The left and right upper flaps  12 ,  13  enclose the respective left and right upper stabilizers  22 ,  23  and uninflated these wrap around the back of the seat and may attach onto themselves by mating hook-and-loop pads. Similarly, the left and right lower flaps  16 ,  17  enclose the left and right lower stabilizers  26 ,  27  and these may wrap around the back of the seat and attach onto themselves by mating hook-and-loop fasteners. The lower flap  15  encloses the lower stabilizer  25  and this wraps frontally down and around the seat, attaching underneath by mating hook-and-loop pads, snaps, or other suitable fasteners. For sequential immobilization of the patient a plurality of wraparound straps are provided for wrapping around the patient, compressing the foregoing stabilizers there against, and immobilizing the patient. The wraparound straps are attached to the cover  10  by a grid-array of reinforcing straps sewn or otherwise attached permanently to the cover  10 . Specifically, two wraparound straps  181 ,  182  fully encircle the left and right flaps  12 ,  13  and are designed to surround the patient&#39;s head (or helmet), and are preferably attachable or cinchable by one hand for fast single-handed immobilization of the head. Toward this end the wraparound straps  181 ,  182  may be elasticized and may be attached onto themselves by plastic slide-buckles  183  to immobilize the patient&#39;s head in the respective left and right stabilizers  22 ,  23 . The wraparound straps  181 ,  182  are secured to a plurality of parallel reinforcing strips  185  sewn or attached across the rear of the left and right flaps  12 ,  13  and upper section  14 . Strips  185  may be resilient plastic stays inserted in pockets or sewn directly, hard fabric strips, or the like, and these prevent tilting of the neck and head when wraparound straps  181 ,  182  are secured. In addition, three wraparound straps  186 - 188  fully encircle the left and right lower flaps  16 ,  17  and may be attached onto themselves by plastic slide-buckles  183  to immobilize the, patient&#39;s upper torso in a sitting position within the respective left and right torso stabilizers  26 ,  27 . The wraparound straps  186 - 188  are secured to a pattern of reinforcing webbing  189  sewn across the rear of the left and right lower flaps  16 ,  17  and lower section  14  for secure compression and immobilization. The pelvic belt  19  includes a wraparound strap  29  with distal slide buckle  27  for attachment around back of the seat. Finally, one wraparound strap  191  folly encircles the lower section  15  and may be attached onto itself by plastic slide-buckle  183  to immobilize the patient&#39;s upper and/or lower legs, pelvic area, and optionally ankles/feet within the respective lower stabilizer  25 . This wraparound strap  191  is secured to a pattern of reinforcing strips  193  sewn across the rear of the lower flap  15  for secure compression and immobilization. In addition to the foregoing securement features at least one handle  194  is provided for dragging the patient. For transportation the device may be secured to a poled-litter (or stretcher), as indeed straps on poled litters are often missing. Fabric loops  196  are provided as needed for attachment of the device  2  to a poled litter (stretcher). 
         [0026]    In use from the vehicle seat, the system  2  facilitates rapid deployment and inflation as needed through the various stages of emergency treatment. This begins with immobilization in a seated position while inside the vehicle. The shroud  11  is removed from the seat headrest inflator  160  manually actuated, upper left and right flaps  12 ,  13  are unfolded and upper left and right stabilizers  22 ,  23  inflated, and wraparound straps  181 ,  182  fastened about the patient&#39;s head. Similarly, lower left and right flaps  16 ,  17  are unfolded, left and right lower stabilizers  26 ,  27  are deployed, and wraparound straps  186 - 188  secured. In addition, two opposing arm straps  191  connect to corresponding seat straps  192  for securing the device  2  in an inclined seated position. These straps  191 ,  192  are tightened to maintain the, seated position before extraction. These same straps  191 ,  192  can be disconnected to move to a supine position and later used around the legs and arms. At this point the patient is immobilized in a seated position. Next, for extraction the torso/leg straps  186 - 188 ,  191 ,  192  keep the patient in a seated position and handle  194  may be used to lift and drag out of the vehicle. 
         [0027]    Finally, for transport and evacuation the device  2  straps  191 ,  192  are disconnected and the patient can be readily lowered to a supine position and secured to a pull-out poleless litter (as above) via loops  196  to move or airlift the patient. The straps  183 ,  191 , which maintain a sitting position during extraction, are unclipped and adjusted to their new use as arm and lower leg control straps when a supine position is desirable. 
         [0028]    The device  2  works exceptionally well at preventing secondary injuries when extracting a patient from a vehicle following a blast and/or crash event by facilitating rapid stabilization of the head, neck, spine, chest, pelvis, and extremities. It affords simple (no tools) deployment and detachment from the heavy/bulky seat frame, and its fabric detachment points will not bind like metallic/rigid detachment mechanisms under heavy hull/wall deformations. The device allows simplified, maneuverability through narrow and uneven vehicle egress paths during extraction, and rapid conversion to flat/supine litter once out of the vehicle. Moreover, the litter can engage existing litter racks in military ambulatory vehicles. The device  2  is entirely fabric or plastic and is X-ray transparent and MRI compatible, facilitating care. 
         [0029]    Having now set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concepts underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims.