Human stabilization platforms and related methods

Human stabilization platforms may include a support structure configured to rigidly support a person. A rail may extend longitudinally from proximate a portion of the support structure configured to receive the person's head thereon to proximate a portion of the support structure configured to receive the person's lower legs thereon on each lateral side of the support structure. Each rail may include selectable attachment structures distributed along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the rail. The selectable attachment structures may be configured to receive modular accessories to be secured to the human stabilization platform. A handle may be located at each end of each rail, each handle being rotatable with respect to the rail. Each handle may be configured to enable manual handling and transport of the human stabilization platform.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to human stabilization platforms to support and substantially immobilize the spine of a person. More specifically, disclosed embodiments relate to human stabilization platforms that may be easier to carry, may accommodate the selective attachment of modular accessories to enhance the utility of the platform for different applications, and may reduce peak pressure to which a person's body may be exposed while providing support to the person's spine and body.

BACKGROUND

When a person suffers a head or spinal injury, their head and neck may be immobilized to reduce the risk of further injury during transport and treatment. For example, neck braces, backboards, and crown-encircling stabilizers (also known in the art as “halo” devices) may be used to support a person's head and neck to reduce the risk of further injury.

People who experience traumatic injuries in most cases must, of necessity, endure potentially damaging acceleration, impact and vibrational forces experienced during handling and movement by, for example, search and rescue and emergency medical personnel during transport from an injury site to medical facilities with treatment capabilities. This transport may involve both ground transport and flight on rotary and/or fixed-wing aircraft, all of which may expose the injured person to additional, potentially injurious forces, which may exacerbate the severity of the initial injuries. Proper immobilization and shock load isolation may substantially reduce the mortality and comorbidities associated with these injuries while in transit. Equipment currently used for people with a spinal cord injury (SCI) or traumatic brain injury (TBI) may provide some level of immobilization, but leave substantial room for improvement and flexibility to address specific applications.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In some embodiments, human stabilization platforms may include a support structure configured to rigidly support a person. A rail may extend longitudinally from proximate a portion of the support structure configured to receive the person's head thereon to proximate a portion of the support structure configured to receive the person's lower legs thereon on each lateral side of the support structure. Each rail may include selectable attachment structures distributed along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the rail. The selectable attachment structures may be configured to receive modular accessories to be secured to the human stabilization platform. A handle may be located at each end of each rail, each handle being rotatable with respect to the rail to enable manual handling and transport of the human stabilization platform.

In other embodiments, methods of making human stabilization platforms may involve sizing, shaping, and configuring a support structure configured to substantially and rigidly support a person. A rail may extend longitudinally from proximate a portion of the support structure configured to receive the person's head thereon to proximate a portion of the support structure configured to receive a person's lower legs thereon on each lateral side of the support structure. Each rail may include selectable attachment structures distributed along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the rail. The selectable attachment structures may be configured to receive modular accessories to be secured to the human stabilization platform. A handle may be positioned at each end of each rail, each handle being rotatable with respect to the rail, each handle being configured to enable manual handling and transport of the human stabilization platform.

In still other embodiments, method of using human stabilization platforms may involve rigidly supporting a person on a support structure. A modular accessory may be secured to a selectable attachment structure, the selectable attachment structure being selected from a set of selectable attachment structures distributed along at least a portion of a longitudinal length of at least one of a pair of rails. Each rail may extend longitudinally from proximate a portion of the support structure on which the person's head is located to proximate a portion of the support structure on which the person's lower legs are located on a respective lateral side of the support structure. At least one handle at an end of at least one rail may be rotated laterally outward from the at least one rail, the at least one handle being one of a set of handles rotatable with respect to, and located at the longitudinal end of, each rail. Each handle may be configured to enable manual handling and transport of the human stabilization platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrations presented in this disclosure are not meant to be actual views of any particular human stabilization platform or component thereof, but are merely idealized representations employed to describe illustrative embodiments. Thus, the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

As used in this disclosure, the term “longitudinal” means and includes directions extending at least substantially head-to-toe when a person is secured in a human stabilization platform as shown inFIG. 2. The term “lateral,” as used in this disclosure, means and includes directions extending at least substantially shoulder-to-shoulder when a person is secured in a human stabilization platform as shown inFIG. 2.

Existing equipment for immobilizing traumatically injured persons may not be effective to isolate the patient from the dynamic multi-axial shock loading and vibrations present during transport. Treatment efficacy may be further diminished due to the current systems' inability to properly address polytrauma treatment issues, provide clear access to injury sites, manage bodily fluids, reduce the risk of pressure ulcerations, or be applied to an injured person in a variety of positions and orientations. With the increasing prevalence of SCI, TBI, and polytrauma patients due to the expanded use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on military forces, a renewed transport platform design may improve the specific transport, safety, care, and comfort needs of both the injured and caregivers.

Disclosed embodiments relate generally to human stabilization platforms that may be easier to carry, may accommodate the selective attachment of modular accessories to enhance the utility of the platform for different applications, and may reduce peak pressure to which a person's body may be exposed while providing support to the person's spine and body.

Referring toFIG. 1, a perspective view of a human stabilization platform100is shown. The human stabilization platform100may include, for example, a support structure102configured to rigidly support a person thereon. The support structure102may include, for example, an upper surface104(e.g., a major plane) positioned to face a person when the person is supported on the support structure. The upper surface104may exhibit, for example, an at least substantially rectangular shape.

The support structure102may be a rigid structure configured to at least substantially retain its shape to maintain alignment of the person's spine and reduce the likelihood of further injuring the person when subjected to the accelerations, forces, and vibrations of transport. For example, the support structure102may include a composite material. More specifically, the support structure102may include a honeycomb core and a surrounding fiber-matrix composite material. As a specific, nonlimiting example, the support structure102may include a honeycomb core and a combination of unidirectional and fabric plies (e.g., between about 30% and about 50%, such as 40%, unidirectional and between about 50% and about 70%, such as 60%, fabric) of carbon-fiber, epoxy-matrix composite material. Such materials may reduce the weight of the support structure102while maintaining or increasing its rigidity and strength in comparison to conventional support structures, while also dampening potentially harmful vibrations.

A rail106may extend longitudinally from proximate a portion108of the support structure102configured to receive the person's head thereon to proximate a portion110of the support structure102configured to receive a person's lower legs thereon on each lateral side of the support structure102. Each rail106may include, for example, a rigid beam extending along the lateral side of the support structure102, and may include a channel182(seeFIG. 11) extending along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the respective rail. Each rail106may include selectable attachment structures180(seeFIGS. 11, 12) distributed along at least a portion of the longitudinal length L of the respective rail. For example, the selectable attachment structures180(seeFIGS. 11, 12) may be distributed along at least 50% of the longitudinal length L of each rail106. More specifically, the selectable attachment structures180(seeFIGS. 11, 12) may be distributed along at least 75% (e.g., at least 90%) of the longitudinal length L of each rail106. The selectable attachment structures180(seeFIGS. 11, 12) may be located, for example, within the channel182(seeFIG. 11). More specifically, the selectable attachment structures180(seeFIGS. 11, 12) may be distributed along one or more surfaces of the rail106at least partially defining the channel182(seeFIG. 11) (e.g., a surface extending at least substantially parallel, perpendicular, or at an oblique angle with respect to the upper surface104of the support structure102).

A handle112may be located at each end of each rail106. Each handle112may be rotatable with respect to the rail106to facilitate easier handling by another person to carry the human stabilization platform100and to facilitate storage of the handles112. For example, an axis of rotation A1about which each respective handle112is configured to rotate may extend in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to the major plane of the upper surface104of the support structure102to enable the handles112to pivot laterally outwardly for rescue and emergency medical personnel to carry the human stabilization platform or inwardly for stowage.

The human stabilization platform100may include a patient-securing system114configured to secure a person's body to the human stabilization platform100. The patient-securing system114may include, for example, a five-point harness116, a pair of wrist-restraint straps118, an adjustable pelvic-restraint strap120, a pair of thigh-restraint straps122, and a pair of ankle-restraint straps124secured to the support structure102and positioned to secure a person to the human stabilization platform100. Each of the foregoing straps118,120,122, and124may be adjustable longitudinally along the human stabilization platform100, and may be stowable (e.g., between a mattress126supported on the upper surface104of the support structure102and the support structure102or below the support structure102) to enable selective use and nonuse of any given strap118,120,122, and124, which may accommodate patients of a wider variety of body sizes and shapes and may enable a patient to be secured to the human stabilization platform100while reducing (e.g., eliminating) contact between straps118,120,122, and124and injury sites.

A mattress126may be supported on, and in some embodiments secured to, the upper surface104of the support structure102and the support structure102. A material of the mattress126may be configured to distribute pressure across a greater area of a person's body, reducing peak pressure and reducing the risk of pressure ulcers. The mattress126may include, for example, slots, slits, grooves, channels, holes, or other passages therethrough to enable straps118,120,122, and124of the patient-securing system114to extend from below the mattress126proximate the support structure102, through the mattress126via the passages, to above the mattress126on a side of the mattress126opposite the support structure102. For example, the mattress126may include at least two shoulder slots128, each shoulder slot128extending from a lateral periphery of the mattress126to a location above where a person's shoulders are configured to be received on the mattress126and laterally spaced from a location where the person's neck is configured to be received to enable straps of the five-point harness116to extend from the shoulder slots128, over the person's shoulders, to a buckle130.

In addition, the mattress126may include at least two torso slots132, each torso slot132extending from a lateral periphery of the mattress126to a location below where a person's arm pit is configured to be received and laterally adjacent to where the person's torso is configured to be received to enable straps of the five-point harness116to extend from the torso slot132, over the person's torso, to the buckle130. Each torso slot132may further enable additional straps to extend from the torso slot132, around an upper portion of the person's arm, to proximate the support structure102. In some embodiments, each torso slot132may extend longitudinally downward, upward, or both downward and upward after extending laterally inward (e.g., in an “L” or “T” shape) to enable the straps of the harness116extending therethrough to bear laterally against the mattress126.

The mattress126may further include at least two waist slots134, each waist slot134extending from a lateral periphery of the mattress126to a location laterally adjacent to where a person's waist is configured to be received to enable straps of the five-point harness116to extend from the waist slot134, over the person's torso, to the buckle130. Each waist slot134may further enable additional wrist-restraint straps118to extend from the waist slot134, around a lower portion of the person's arm, to proximate the support structure102. Each waist slot134may further enable additional pelvic-restraint straps120to extend from the waist slot134, over the person's pelvis, the straps120being securable to one another between the person's thighs. In some embodiments, each waist slot134may extend longitudinally downward, upward, or both downward and upward after extending laterally inward (e.g., in an “L” or “T” shape) to enable the straps118and120and those of the harness116extending therethrough to bear laterally against the mattress126.

The mattress126may also include at least two thigh slots136, each thigh slot136extending from a lateral periphery of the mattress126to a location laterally adjacent to where a person's thigh is configured to be received to enable each thigh-restraint strap122to extend from the thigh slot136, around the person's thigh, to the other thigh-restraint strap122extending from the other thigh slot136, the thigh-restraint straps122being securable to one another between the person's thighs. In some embodiments, each thigh slot136may extend longitudinally downward, upward, or both downward and upward after extending laterally inward (e.g., in an “L” or “T” shape) to enable the thigh-restraint straps122extending therethrough to bear laterally against the mattress126.

Finally, the mattress126may include at least two shin slots138, each shin slot138extending from a lateral periphery of the mattress126to a location laterally adjacent to where a person's shin is configured to be received to enable each ankle-restraint strap124to extend from the shin slot138, around the person's shin, to the other ankle-restraint strap124extending from the other shin slot138, the ankle-restraint straps124being securable to one another between the person's shins. In some embodiments, each shin slot138may extend longitudinally downward, upward, or both downward and upward after extending laterally inward (e.g., in an “L” or “T” shape) to enable the ankle-restraint straps124extending therethrough to bear laterally against the mattress126.

Vibration-damping feet140may extend downwardly from the support structure102. Each vibration-damping foot140may include an elastomeric damping material configured to dampen potentially harmful vibrations. Each vibration-damping foot140may also comprise a slot142extending therethrough to facilitate attachment of the human stabilization platform to a securing structure. The slot142may extend through a strong material (e.g., aluminum or steel) of the foot140, which material may be secured to the elastomeric damping material. The vibration-damping feet140may be selectively attachable to, and detachable from, the selectable attachment structures180(seeFIGS. 11, 12) in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the vibration-damping feet140may be permanently attached to the rails106or support structure102. The vibration-damping feet140may reduce potentially harmful vibrations emanating from a vehicle or other device on which the vibration-damping feet140may rest or be secured to during transport.

A total weight of the human stabilization platform100may be, for example, about 60 lbs or less, which may enable it to be relatively easily transported, even when supporting a person and medical equipment thereon or therefrom. More specifically, the total weight of the human stabilization platform may be, for example, about 55 lbs or less. As a specific, nonlimiting example, the total weight of the human stabilization platform may be about 50 lbs or less.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of the human stabilization platform100ofFIG. 1with a person144immobilized on the human stabilization platform100. When securing the person144to the human stabilization platform100, the person144may be lifted onto the mattress126, or the human stabilization platform100, including the mattress126may be slid underneath the person144. The person's head may be supported on a first portion108of the mattress126at a first longitudinal end thereof, and the person's feet may be supported on a second portion110of the mattress126at a second, opposite longitudinal end thereof.

The person144may then be immobilized and secured to the mattress126and underlying support structure102utilizing one or more of the harness116and straps118,120,122, and124. For example, the straps of the harness116may be brought over the person's shoulders and around the person's torso and secured to the buckle130. Straps extending through the shoulder and torso slots128and132may also be brought over the person's upper and lower arms and secured to the straps of the harness116or to the support structure102to secure the arms in place. The pelvic-restraint straps120may be positioned over the person's pelvis and secured to one another. Each thigh-restraint strap122may be positioned over a respective one of the person's thighs and secured to the other thigh-restraint strap122, to the support structure102, or both to restrain the person's upper legs. Each ankle-restraint strap124may be positioned over a respective one of the person's shins or ankles and secured to the other ankle-restraint strap122, to the support structure102, or both to restrain the person's lower legs. One or more of the straps118,120,122, and124, one or more portions of the harness116, or any combination of these may be used or not used during immobilization, depending on the person's body and injury state.

FIG. 3is a perspective view of the human stabilization platform100ofFIG. 1with a person144immobilized on the human stabilization platform100. In some embodiments, the human stabilization platform100may include a gatch146located to receive a person's head and back thereon. The gatch146may include a rotatably liftable backrest148and an adjustable lifting mechanism150. The backrest148may be further secured to the support structure102by a hinge152located at an end of the backrest148positioned to be located proximate a person's waist when the person144is supported on the support structure102. The adjustable lifting mechanism150may secure the backrest148to the support structure102, and may be selectably extendable and securable in position to enable the backrest148to rotate about an axis A2parallel to the major plane of the upper surface104of the support structure102and perpendicular to the rails106of the support structure102, and to be secured in place to stabilize a person's torso at a desired acute angle θ to the major plane of the upper surface104of the support structure102. The adjustable lifting mechanism150may include, for example, a telescoping member154on each lateral side of the support structure102having one end secured to, and rotatable with respect to, the backrest148(e.g., proximate the middle of a longitudinal extent thereof) and another, opposite end secured, and rotatable with respect, to the support structure102or a respective rail106. The telescoping members154may be securable at any of a variety of selected lengths to enable the backrest148to be secured in position at various angles θ relative to the support structure102.

FIG. 4is a simplified perspective view of a deflection of the support structure102of the human stabilization platform100ofFIG. 1in response to a predetermined acceleration. The support structure102may be sized, shaped, and of a sufficient rigidity to support a 95thpercentile male person (e.g., a person weighing up to about 250 lbs) and a substantial load (e.g., at least about 75 lbs, such as about 100 lbs or more) of medical equipment through 8 g of downward or lateral accelerations and 12 g of forward accelerations. A maximum deflection of the support structure102in response to 8 g of downward acceleration when resting on the feet140(seeFIGS. 1-3) may be, for example, about 2 inches or less. More specifically, the maximum deflection of the support structure102when subjected to 8 g of downward acceleration may be, for example, between about 0.5 inch and about 1.5 inch. As a specific, nonlimiting example, the maximum deflection of the support structure102when subjected to 8 g of downward acceleration may be between about 1 inch and about 1.25 inch (e.g., about 1.1 inch).

FIG. 5is a simplified perspective view of a magnitude of stress in the support structure102ofFIG. 4in response to the predetermined acceleration. A maximum longitudinal stress experienced by the support structure102in response to 8 g of downward acceleration when resting on the feet140(seeFIGS. 1-3) may be, for example, about 60 ksi or less. More specifically, the maximum longitudinal stress of the support structure102when subjected to 8 g of downward acceleration may be, for example, between about 30 ksi and about 50 ksi. As a specific, nonlimiting example, the maximum longitudinal stress within the support structure102when subjected to 8 g of downward acceleration may be between about 40 ksi and about 50 ksi (e.g., about 48 ksi).

FIG. 6is a perspective side view of a portion of the support structure102of the human stabilization platform100ofFIG. 1. The support structure102may include attachment structures156configured to secure the mattress126, harness116, and straps118,120,122, and124(seeFIGS. 1-3) to the support structure102. The attachment structures156may be located on the upper surface104of the support structure102and may include an opening158through which portions of the mattress126, harness116, and straps118,120,122, and124(seeFIGS. 1-3) may extend and a fixed arm160extending over the opening158to retain the portions of the mattress126, harness116, and straps118,120,122, and124(seeFIGS. 1-3) secured to the support structure102. The attachment structures156may be distributed along the longitudinal length and lateral width of the support structure102wherever it is desired to affix the mattress126, harness116, straps118,120,122, and124(seeFIGS. 1-3), and any other structures to the support structure102.

FIG. 7is a side view of the support structure102ofFIG. 6when oriented for one-handed transport by a person. The support structure102may include transport handles162located proximate the lateral periphery of the support structure102. For example, the transport handles162may be permanently attached to the support structure102or may be removably connected to the selectable attachment structures180(seeFIGS. 11, 12) of the rails106. The transport handles162may be rotatable with respect to the rails106to enable compact storage.

FIG. 8is an enlarged perspective view of a handle112of the support structure102of the human stabilization platform100ofFIG. 1. The handle112may include a grip164sized and shaped to be grasped by a person's hand and a hinge166between the grip164and the support structure102, enabling the grip164to rotate with respect to the support structure102. The grip164may include, for example, a thermoplastic material. The hinge166may be of sufficient strength to bear the loads of transporting a fully-loaded human stabilization platform100(seeFIGS. 2, 3), including a person and any equipment supported thereby. For example, the hinge166may include a high-strength, hardened steel material, and may be secured to the support structure102utilizing, for example, rivets, bolts, screws, adhesive, or any combination of these.

FIG. 9is a simplified perspective view of a magnitude of stress in the handle112ofFIG. 8in response to a predetermined load. For example, a maximum stress within the handle112, including the location of attachment between the hinge166and the support structure102, when subjected to a downward acceleration of 8 g may be about 60 ksi or less. More specifically, the maximum stress within the handle112when subjected to a downward acceleration of 8 g may be between about 20 ksi and about 60 ksi. As a specific, nonlimiting example, the maximum stress within the handle112when subjected to a downward acceleration of 8 g may be between about 40 ksi and about 60 ksi (e.g., about 40 ksi).

FIG. 10includes perspective and cross-sectional views of a foot140of the support structure102of the human stabilization platform100ofFIG. 1. The foot140may include a surface-engaging portion168, a vibration-damping portion170, and an attachment portion172. The surface-engaging portion168may be positioned to rest on a supporting surface, such as a floor, and may include the slot142extending laterally through the surface-engaging portion168. The slot142may be sized and shaped to enable securing structures to extend through the slot142to affix the human stabilization platform100(seeFIGS. 1-3) to the underlying surface. The surface-engaging portion168may include a strong material (e.g., aluminum or steel).

The surface-engaging portion168may include a protrusion174extending up, away from the slot142. The protrusion174may include a laterally, longitudinally, or laterally and longitudinally extending ledge176. The vibration-damping portion170may encapsulate at least a portion of the protrusion174, including the ledge176. The vibration-damping portion170may include an elastomeric damping material configured to dampen potentially harmful vibrations, reducing the extent to which the vibrations are transferred from a vehicle or other device on which the vibration-damping feet140may rest or be secured to during transport through the feet140to the support structure102(seeFIGS. 1-3).

The vibration-damping portion170and protrusion174may be at least partially located within a cavity178within the attachment portion172to secure the attachment portion172to the surface-engaging portion168via the vibration-damping portion170. When forming the foot140, the protrusion174may be positioned at least partially within the cavity178and the vibration-damping portion170may be formed around at least a portion of the protrusion174including the ledge176within the cavity178(e.g., by injection molding).

FIG. 11is an enlarged perspective view of a selectable attachment structure180between the foot140ofFIG. 10and the support structure102of the human stabilization platform100ofFIG. 1. Each rail106of the support structure102may include selectable attachment structures180distributed along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the respective rail106. The selectable attachment structures180may include, for example, a channel182having alternating enlarged sections184and constricted sections186. The attachment portion172of each foot140may include corresponding protrusions188sized and shaped to be inserted into the channel182when aligned with the enlarged sections184and to be retained within the channel182when aligned with the constricted sections186. For example, each protrusion188may include an enlarged head190sized and shaped to pass through the enlarged sections184, but not to pass through the constricted sections186. In some embodiments, the protrusions may include pins, hooks, loops, clamps, or threaded members configured to mate with corresponding holes, loops, hooks, ledges, or threaded holes within the channel182to secure the feet140in place.

FIG. 12is a bottom perspective view of the selectable attachment structure180ofFIG. 11. In some embodiments, the attachment portion172of each foot140may include a lateral extension192for positioning proximate a lower surface194of the support structure102or of a rail106thereof. The lateral extension192may include pins, holes, hooks, loops, clamps, or threaded members configured to mate with corresponding holes, pins, loops, hooks, ledges, or threaded holes on the lower surface194to secure the feet140in place.

FIG. 13is an enlarged perspective view of a magnitude of stress in feet140of the support structure102of the human stabilization platform100ofFIG. 1in response to a predetermined load. For example, a maximum stress within the feet140, including the selectable attachment structure180(seeFIGS. 11, 12), when subjected to a downward acceleration of 8 g may be about 40 ksi or less. More specifically, the maximum stress within the feet140when subjected to a downward acceleration of 8 g may be between about 17.5 ksi and about 40 ksi. As a specific, nonlimiting example, the maximum stress within the feet140when subjected to a downward acceleration of 8 g may be between about 30 ksi and about 25 ksi (e.g., about 35 ksi).

FIG. 14is an enlarged perspective view of a magnitude of damping in the feet140ofFIG. 10. For example, a minimum reduction in deflection from the vibration-damping portion170of the feet140when subjected to a downward acceleration of 8 g may be about 0.1 inch or more. More specifically, the minimum reduction in deflection from the vibration-damping portion170of the feet140when subjected to a downward acceleration of 8 g may be between about 0.1 inch and about 0.15 inch. As a specific, nonlimiting example, the minimum reduction in deflection from the vibration-damping portion170of the feet140when subjected to a downward acceleration of 8 g may be between about 0.1 inch and about 0.125 inch (e.g., about 0.12 inch).

FIG. 15includes pressure maps for various peak pressures experienced by a person on mattresses of various stabilization structures. Mattresses126in accordance with this disclosure may include, for example, a material configured to maintain peak pressure on a person's body at about 65 mm Hg or less. More specifically, the material of the mattress may maintain peak pressure on the person's body at, for example, about 60 mm Hg or less. As specific, nonlimiting examples, the material of the mattress may maintain peak pressure on the person's body at about 55 mm Hg or less or about 50 mm Hg or less. Such pressure distribution may be comparable to a hospital-grade mattress, which may be considered the gold standard in the field and may represent a significant reduction in peak pressure and a significant increase in pressure distribution when compared to conventional mattresses for human stabilization platforms and backboards.

FIG. 16is a perspective view of the support structure102of the human stabilization platform100ofFIG. 1with a modular attachment196secured thereto. The selectable attachment structures180(seeFIGS. 11, 12) may be configured to receive modular accessories196to be secured to the human stabilization platform100(seeFIGS. 1-3). Modular accessories196suitable for selective attachment to the selectable attachment structures may include, for example, a handle162, a vibration-damping foot140configured to rest on an underlying surface, a medical supply and monitoring equipment attachment system198(e.g., a fluid management system) configured to suspend a bag therefrom, additional retraints (e.g., retraints similar to those described in connection withFIGS. 1-3) and another medical supply and monitoring equipment attachment system200(seeFIG. 17) (e.g., a Special Medical Emergency Evacuation Device (SMEED) that can be used to secure monitors, infusion pumps, ventilators, oxygen cylinders and other medical equipment to the human stabilization platform100) sized and shaped to extend from one associated selectable attachment structure180(seeFIGS. 11, 12) on one lateral side of the support structure102, over the support structure102, to another associated selectable attachment structure180(seeFIGS. 11, 12) on an opposite lateral side of the support structure102.

FIG. 17is a perspective view of the support structure102of the human stabilization platform100ofFIG. 1with another embodiment of a modular accessory196secured thereto. The modular accessory196may be configured as a medical supply and monitoring equipment attachment system200sized and shaped to extend from one associated selectable attachment structure180(seeFIGS. 11, 12) on one lateral side of the support structure102, over the support structure102, to another associated selectable attachment structure180(seeFIGS. 11, 12) on an opposite lateral side of the support structure102.

While certain illustrative embodiments have been described in connection with the figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to those embodiments explicitly shown and described in this disclosure. Rather, many additions, deletions, and modifications to the embodiments described in this disclosure may be made to produce embodiments within the scope of this disclosure, such as those specifically claimed, including legal equivalents. In addition, features from one disclosed embodiment may be combined with features of another disclosed embodiment while still being within the scope of this disclosure, as contemplated by the inventors.