Patent Publication Number: US-11654063-B2

Title: System and method for moving, turning, and positioning a patient

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/137,011, filed Dec. 29, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/818,710, filed Mar. 13, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/365,632, filed Nov. 30, 2016; which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/261,650, filed Dec. 1, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Application 62/352,307, filed Jun. 20, 2016; all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present application generally relates to an apparatus, system, and method for moving, turning, and positioning a person on a bed or the like, and, more particularly, to a patient support device for use in rolling a patient between a supine position and a prone position, utilizing a cross-wrapping configuration, as well as systems and methods including one or more of such devices. 
     Nurses and other caregivers at hospitals, assisted living facilities, and other locations often need to move a patient with limited or no independent mobility between a supine (lying face up) position and a prone (lying face down) position. An example of a patient requiring such movement is a one who is to undergo spinal or other surgery where an incision is to be made on the patient&#39;s posterior side. For such procedures, the patient must be placed prone on an operating table. Many such patients are partially or completely sedated before being rolled from the supine to the prone position. Rolling a sedated patient in this manner may require caregivers to lift the patient and/or bend and reach over the patient, all movements that place increased stress on the caregivers and increase the risk of injury to those caregivers. Additionally, care must be taken not to place excessive stress on the patient during rolling and to avoid causing injury to the patient&#39;s back or extremities during the maneuver. 
     The present disclosure seeks to overcome certain of these limitations and other drawbacks of existing devices, systems, and methods, and to provide new features not heretofore available. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side, a first flap coupled to the bottom surface proximate the first lateral side, a second flap coupled to the bottom surface proximate the second lateral side and longitudinally offset from the first flap, a first strap coupled to the first flap, and a second strap coupled to the second flap. 
     In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first lateral side and a second lateral side, wherein the sheet includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein each portion is defined by a plurality of peripheral edges including two end edges, a side edge, and a connection edge, opposite the side edge, at which the first portion and the second portion are coupled, a first strap coupled to the bottom surface of the sheet proximate the first lateral side, and a second strap coupled to the bottom surface of the sheet proximate the second lateral side and longitudinally offset from the first strap. 
     In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first lateral side and a second lateral side wherein the sheet includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein each portion is defined by a plurality of peripheral edges including two end edges, a side edge, and a connection edge, opposite the side edge, at which the first portion and the second portion are releasably coupled, a first strap coupled to the bottom surface of the first portion of the sheet proximate the first lateral side, a second strap coupled to the bottom surface of the first portion of the sheet proximate the connection edge, a third strap coupled to the bottom surface of the second portion of the sheet proximate the second lateral side, and a fourth strap coupled to the bottom surface of the second portion of the sheet proximate the connection edge. 
     The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the following drawings and the detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a bottom view of one embodiment of a patient turning system according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a bottom view of a patient turning device of the system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a top view of the device of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a bottom view of a sheet portion of the device of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a top view of the sheet portion of  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a bottom view of the system of  FIG.  1   , showing pull straps being connected to connectors on the patient turning device; 
         FIG.  7    is a bottom view of another embodiment of a patient turning device according to aspects of the present disclosure, configured for use with a system as shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a top view of the device of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a bottom view of a sheet portion of the device of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  10    is a top view of the sheet portion of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  11    is a bottom view of another embodiment of a patient turning system according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  12    is a top view of the device of  FIG.  11   ; 
         FIG.  13    is a top view of a left sheet portion of the device of  FIG.  11   ; 
         FIG.  14    is a bottom view of the left sheet portion of  FIG.  13   ; 
         FIG.  15    is a top view of a right sheet portion of the device of  FIG.  11   ; 
         FIG.  16    is a bottom view of the right sheet portion of  FIG.  15   ; 
         FIGS.  17 - 20    are top views illustrating a method of turning a patient according to aspects of the present disclosure, using the system of  FIG.  11   ; 
         FIG.  21    is a top view of another embodiment of a patient turning device and system according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  22    is a top view of a left sheet portion of the device and system of  FIG.  21   ; 
         FIG.  23    is a top view of a right sheet portion of the device and system of  FIG.  21   ; 
         FIG.  24    is a bottom view of the right sheet portion of  FIG.  23   ; and 
         FIG.  25    is a bottom view of the left sheet portion of  FIG.  22   . 
         FIG.  26    is a bottom view of another embodiment of the left sheet portion of  FIG.  22   . 
         FIG.  27    is a bottom view of another embodiment of the right sheet portion of  FIG.  23   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While this invention is capable of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, certain embodiments of the disclosure with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an example of the principles of the disclosure and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the disclosure to the embodiments illustrated and described. 
     In general, aspects of the disclosure relate to a device for turning a patient, including a sheet with a plurality of handles or straps configured for rolling a patient, as well as systems including one or more of such devices and methods utilizing one or more of such systems and/or devices. Various embodiments of the disclosure are described below. 
     Referring now to the figures, and initially to  FIGS.  1 - 6   , there is shown an example embodiment of a system  10  for use in turning and positioning a person resting on a surface, such as a patient lying on a hospital bed, which includes a patient turning device  20 . As shown in  FIGS.  17 - 20   , the system  10  is configured to be placed on a support device  12  supporting a patient. One example of such a support device  12  is a hospital bed  12 A, as illustrated in  FIGS.  17 - 20   . Such a support device  12  generally includes a frame and a supporting surface  16  supported by the frame, and has a head  13 , a foot  17  opposite the head  13 , and opposed sides or edges  19  extending between the head  13  and the foot  17 . The supporting surface  16  can be provided by a mattress or similar structure. A hospital bed  12 A or other support device  12  may also include one or more bed sheets (such as a fitted sheet or flat sheet), as well as pillows, blankets, additional sheets, and other components known in the art. Another example of such a support device  12  is an operating table  12 B, as also shown in  FIGS.  17 - 20   , which may be configured for supporting a person in a prone position or another position. Such an operating table  12 B may also have a supporting surface  16  with structures configured for securely supporting a person in a specific position for surgery. The operating table  12 B in  FIGS.  17 - 20    is configured for use in spinal surgery, and is configured to support a patient  11  in a prone position for extended periods of time. It is understood that the system  10  and the components thereof can be used with other types of beds, tables, and other support devices as well, such as a gurney, a stretcher, a cot, a different type of bed (other than a hospital bed), a different type of operating table, etc. 
       FIGS.  1 - 6    illustrate an example embodiment of the device  20 , which is in the form of a sheet  15  having a top surface  21  and a bottom surface  22  defined by a plurality of peripheral edges including two side edges  23  and two end edges  26 . The sheet  15  in the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 6    is formed by two sheet portions or sheet members  30  that are removably connected to each other to form the sheet  15 , although in another embodiment, the sheet  15  may be a single-piece structure or may be formed by more than two sheet portions  30 . It is understood that the sheet  15  and/or the sheet portions  30  may not be a single-layer structure, and may have multiple layers. It is also understood that when components are described herein as being connected to and/or interacting with the device  20 , such components can be considered to be connected to and/or interacting with the sheet  15  forming the body of the device  20 . The device  20  is configured to be positioned on the support device  12  so that the bottom surface  22  (or a portion thereof) is above the supporting surface  16  of the support device  12  and faces or confronts the supporting surface  16 , and is supported by the supporting surface  16 . As used herein, “above,” “below,” “over,” and “under” do not imply direct contact or engagement. For example, the bottom surface  22  being above the supporting surface  16  means that that the bottom surface  22  may be in contact with the supporting surface  16 , or may face or confront the supporting surface  16  and/or be supported by the supporting surface  16  with one or more structures located between the bottom surface  22  and the supporting surface  16 , such as a bed sheet as described above. Likewise, “facing” or “confronting” does not imply direct contact or engagement, and may include one or more structures located between the surface and the structure it is confronting or facing. The sheet  15  in the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 6    has rotational symmetry, such that the sheet  15  will appear substantially identical if rotated 180° in either direction in the general plane of the sheet  15 . In this symmetrical configuration, either of the end edges  26  may be positioned at the head  13  or the foot  17  of the support device  12 . In another embodiment, the sheet  15  may lack this symmetry, and may have dedicated head and foot edges  26 , as shown in  FIGS.  11 - 16    and described in greater detail below. 
     In one embodiment, the sheet  15  of the device  20  may be made from multiple, separate sheet portions  30  that are removably connected together to form the sheet  15 . The device  20  illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 6    is formed from two identical or substantially identical sheet portions  30  that are connected together by releasable connectors  35 . Each sheet portion  30  has a top surface  31  and a bottom surface  32  defined by a plurality of peripheral edges, including two side edges  33  and two end edges  34 . Each sheet portion  30  in the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 6    has rotational symmetry as described above, such that either of the end edges  34  may be positioned at the head  13  or the foot  17  of the support device  12 . The sheet portions  30  may lack this symmetry in another embodiment, as shown in  FIGS.  11 - 16  and  21 - 27   , and described in greater detail below. In the symmetrical configuration, the sheet portions  30  may also be connectable to each other in any orientation. For example, the sheet portions  30  in the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 6    can be connected together side-by-side along either side edge  33  of either sheet portion  30 . The side edges  33  of the sheet portions  30  that are connected together may be referred to as “connection edges,” and in the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 6   , the connection side edge  33  of each sheet portion is opposite the side edge  33  that defines a side edge  23  of the sheet  15 . The connection side edges  33  in this embodiment are removably connected to each other such that the sheet portions  30  combine to form the sheet  15 . The connection of the sheet portions  30  is described in greater detail below. 
     The sheet portions  30  may generally be configured for removable connection to each other in one embodiment, as described above. Each sheet portion  30  in the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 6    is configured for connection by releasable connectors  35  in the form of releasable loop straps that extend through apertures  36  (e.g., holes) proximate to the side edges  33  in the sheet portions  30 . In the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 6   , each sheet portion  30  has three apertures  36  positioned along each side edge  33  that are spaced slightly inwardly and spaced substantially equal distances from each other along the side edge  33 . The apertures  36  may be reinforced, such as by a button stitch or other reinforcing structure. Additionally, the apertures  36  in this embodiment are symmetrical with respect to the end edges  34 , with one aperture  36  located midway between the end edges  34  and the other apertures  36  spaced equal distances from the center aperture  36 . Further, the apertures  36  along one side edge  33  are laterally aligned with the apertures  36  on the other side edge  33  in this embodiment. This symmetry permits the sheet portion  30  to be connected along either side edge  33  to either side edge  33  of another substantially identical sheet portion  30 , and the apertures  36  will align to permit such a connection. The loop straps in the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 6    are provided with hook-and-loop connections or other complementary releasable connecting materials to permit the releasable connection, but connectors  35  in other embodiments may include another releasable connection structure, such as buttons, snaps, clasps, or other fasteners, magnets, ties, buckles, tacky or semi-adhesive surfaces, etc.  FIGS.  1 - 3  and  6    illustrate two sheet portions  30  connected side-by-side using loop strap connectors  35 , and in these embodiments, a portion of the bottom surface  32  of one sheet portion  30  overlaps and confronts a portion of the top surface  31  of the other sheet portion  30 . 
     The device  20  may utilize different types of connectors  35  in other embodiments. For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  7 - 10   , the sheet portions  30  are connected to each other by use of connectors  35  in the form of strips of complementary releasable connecting materials (e.g., hook-and-loop connectors). Accordingly, the sheet portions  30  in the embodiment of  FIGS.  7 - 10    do not use apertures  36  for connection. The embodiment of  FIGS.  7 - 10    is otherwise substantially identical to the embodiment in  FIGS.  1 - 6   , both in structure and in function, and such similar or identical structures and functions in the embodiment of  FIGS.  7 - 10    will not otherwise be described in detail for the sake of brevity. The connectors  35  in the embodiment of  FIGS.  7 - 10    are provided along both side edges  33  on both the top and bottom surfaces  31 ,  32  of the sheet portions  30 . Additionally, the connectors  35  in this embodiment are positioned in a rotationally symmetrical arrangement as described above, such the connectors  35  will be substantially identically arranged if the sheet portion  30  is rotated 180° in either direction in the general plane of the sheet portion  30 . This symmetry permits the sheet portion  30  in  FIGS.  7 - 10    to be connected along either side edge  33  to either side edge  33  of another substantially identical sheet portion  30 , and the connectors will align to permit such a connection. It is understood that complementary releasable connecting materials may be arranged to permit such connectivity, for example, the sheet portion  30  may have only hook-type connectors on the bottom surface  32  and only loop-type connectors on the top surface  31 , so that the connectors  35  on the top surface  31  will always be connectable to connectors  35  on the bottom surface  32  of an identical sheet portion  30 . In this configuration, the bottom surface  32  of one sheet portion  30  overlaps and confronts a portion of the top surface  31  of the other sheet portion  30 , and the connectors  35  are positioned on these overlapping portions to form a releasable connection. The connectors  35  in  FIGS.  7 - 10    are provided as separate pieces along the side edges  33 , but may be provided as a single, continuous strip in another embodiment, such as shown in  FIGS.  11 - 16   . In other embodiments, other types of releasable connectors  35  may be used, including other types of connectors that connect directly to the sheet portions  30 , such as by use of snaps, buttons, adhesives, magnets, or other structures, other connectors that extend through apertures  36  in the sheet portions  30 , and additional releasable connecting structures. In a further embodiment, two or more different types of releasable connectors  35  may be used, including any combination of structures described herein. 
     The sheet  15  and/or the sheet portions  30  may be made from a material that permits sliding of the device  20  in contact with the supporting surface  16  of the support device  12 , which may include a fitted bed sheet or other sheet. This material may have a relatively low coefficient of friction to ease in sliding the device  20  on the supporting surface  16  when the patient is on top of the device  20 . The material of the sheet  15  and/or the sheet portions  30  may also have rip-stop properties, and may have suitable structural strength and stability to form the primary structural component of the device  20 . In one embodiment, the sheet  15  and/or the sheet portions  30  may be formed of polyester and/or nylon (polyamide), for example, a rip-stop nylon material or a coated nylon taffeta material that is liquid repellant and/or impermeable and has little to no air permeability, while being permeable to moisture vapor. The material can also be treated with a water repellant, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Other suitable materials may be used for this purpose. In addition, the device  20  may have one or more portions that are covered with or formed of a high-friction material, such as a sheet material or a high-friction coating, to resist sliding of the patient against the sheet  15 , in one embodiment. 
     The system  10  generally has a plurality of pull handles (e.g., pull straps  40 ) connected to the device  20  and configured for wrapping over the patient  11 , such that one or more of the pull handles can be pulled to roll the patient between various positions, e.g., between a supine position and a prone position. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  1 - 20   , the pull handles are elongated pull straps  40 . In one embodiment, the device  20  includes at least one pull strap  40  connected to the bottom surface  22  of the sheet  15  proximate one side edge  23  and at least one other pull strap  40  connected to the bottom surface  22  of the sheet  15  proximate the other side edge  23 . The pull straps  40  may be connected to the sheet  15  at a location spaced laterally inwardly from the side edges  23  (i.e., away from the edges  23  and toward the centerline of the sheet  15 ), in order to provide a better leverage point for turning the patient  11  and to accommodate patients of various sizes. The pull straps  40  may also be configured to extend laterally outwardly from the connection points (i.e., in a direction from the center of the sheet  15  toward the respective side edge  23 ) and to extend outwardly beyond the side edges  23 . In this configuration, a portion of the sheet  15  at one side edge  23  may be received between the pull strap  40  and the sheet  15  at the opposite side edge  23  when the device  20  is wrapped around the patient  11 , such that the opposed side edges  23  of the sheet  15  overlap. In the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 6   , the device  20  has four pull straps  40 , with one pair of pull straps  40  connected to the sheet  15  along one of the side edges  23  and another pair of pull straps  40  connected along the opposite side edge  23 . Each pair of pull straps  40  in this configuration are spaced along the side edge  23 , so that one of the pull straps  40  of each pair is proximate the upper body of the patient  11  and the other is proximate the lower body of the patient  11 . Additionally, in this embodiment, the connection points of the pull straps  40  are staggered longitudinally (i.e., in a direction extending between the end edges  26 ) with respect to the pull straps  40  along the opposite side edge  23 , such that when the side edges  23  are wrapped toward each other, the pull straps  40  do not directly overlap each other. A different number and/or configuration of pull straps  40  may be used in another embodiment. 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 6   , the pull straps  40  are connected to the sheet  15  by the use of flaps  41  that are fixedly connected to the sheet  15  (e.g., by stitching, adhesive, etc.) and have releasable connecting structures  42  for connection to the pull straps  40 . The pull straps  40  have complementary releasable connecting structures  43  that are configured for releasable connection to the connecting structures  42  of the flaps  41 . As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  6   , the complementary connecting structures  42 ,  43  are in the form of a buckle, e.g., a side-release buckle, although various other types of buckles and other releasable connecting structures may be used, including any releasable connecting structures described herein. The buckles  42  as illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 6    are connected to the flaps  41  by extensions  45  that are fixedly connected to the flaps  41  (e.g., by stitching) and to the buckles  42 . The flaps  41  in this embodiment form the connection points between the pull straps  40  and the sheet  15 , and in one embodiment, the flaps  41  are fixedly connected to the sheet  15  at locations proximate the side edges  23  that are spaced laterally inwardly from the side edges  23 . In the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 6   , the device includes two flaps  41  along each side edge  23 , with each pair of flaps  41  spaced from each other along the side edge  23  and longitudinally staggered from the flaps  41  along the opposite side edge  23 . The flaps  41  in this embodiment are generally triangular in shape, with a wide base  44  connected to the sheet  15  and decreasing in width farther from the base  44 . This shape provides a large surface area for the connection between the flap  41  and the sheet  15 , increasing the strength of the connection, while also retaining shape when both under tension and not under tension. The flaps  41  may further be made from a flexible sheet material, which may be the same material as the sheet  15  and/or the sheet portions  30 . In a further embodiment, the pull straps  40  may be fixedly connected to the flaps  41  or directly to the sheet  15 , or the pull straps  40  may be removably connected to the sheet  15  without the use of flaps  41 , e.g., by use of various releasable connecting structures, including any releasable connecting structures described herein. 
     The embodiment in  FIGS.  1 - 6    includes sheet portions  30  that each have pull straps  40  connected proximate both side edges  33  of the respective sheet portion  30 . The pull straps  40  in this embodiment are connected to the sheet portions  30  at points that are spaced inwardly from the side edges  33 , and are configured to extend laterally outwardly from the connection points, as similarly described above. As seen in  FIGS.  1 - 6   , each sheet portion  30  in this embodiment has two pull straps  40  connected proximate each side edge  33 , with each pair of pull straps  40  being spaced along the side edge  33 , so that one of the pull straps  40  of each pair is proximate the upper body of the patient  11  and the other is proximate the lower body of the patient  11 . Additionally, in this embodiment, the connection points of the pull straps  40  are staggered longitudinally with respect to the pull straps  40  along the opposite side edge  33 , as also described above. This structure produces a rotationally symmetrical configuration. The pull straps  40  are connected to each side edge  33  in a configuration such that when one of the side edges  33  of a sheet portion  30  is connected to one of the side edges  33  of another identical sheet portion  30 , the resulting device  20  will have the pull straps  40  on the opposed side edges  23  staggered as described above. The pull straps  40  in the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 6    are removably connected to the sheet portions  30  by use of flaps  41  connected to each sheet portion  30 , as described above. The flaps  41  on each sheet portion  30  in this embodiment are positioned as described above, being connected to the bottom surface  32  at locations that are spaced laterally inwardly from the side edges  33  and spaced along the respective side edges  33 . In this configuration, when the sheet portions  30  are connected to each other, each sheet portion  30  will have two flaps  41  that are positioned entirely beneath the device  20  proximate the center of the sheet  15 . These flaps  41  positioned near the connection between the sheet portions  30  may not be connected to pull straps  40  for use in turning the patient  11 , and only the flaps  41  proximate the side edges  23  of the sheet  15  may be connected to the pull straps  40  for use in turning, in one embodiment. 
     In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 6   , the device  20  may also include one or more sheet handles  28  to facilitate pulling, lifting, and moving the device  20 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 6   , the device  20  has sheet handles  28  formed by strips  29  of a strong material that are connected (e.g., stitched) in periodic fashion to the top surface  21  at or around both side edges  23  of the device  20 . The non-connected portions can be separated slightly from the device  20  to allow a user&#39;s hands to slip underneath, and thereby form the sheet handles  28 . The sheet handles  28  formed by the strips  29  on the side edges  23  of the device  20  are useful for pulling the device  20  to move the patient  11  on the support device  12 , particularly for moving the patient  11  laterally. The sheet handles  28  may be useful for moving the device  20  and the patient  11  in many different ways, including sliding the device  20  and the patient  11  and/or turning the patient  11 . Additionally, the pull straps  40  on one side edge  23  may be threaded through sheet handles  28  on the opposite side edge  23  when in use for turning the patient  11 . In the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 6   , each of the sheet portions  30  has strips  29  on the bottom surface  32 , forming sheet handles  28  along both side edges  33 . In other embodiments, the device  20  may include a different number or configuration of the sheet handles  28  as described above. For example, the sheet  15  and/or the sheet portions  30  may include sheet handles  28  connected to the bottom surfaces  22 ,  32 , in addition to or instead of the sheet handles  28  connected to the top surfaces  21 ,  31 . As another example, the sheet portions  30  may include sheet handles  28  along only a single side edge  23 . The embodiment illustrated in  FIGS.  11 - 16    has sheet handles  28  connected to the bottom surfaces  22 ,  32  at the side edges  33  of the device  20 , with each sheet portion  30  having sheet handles  28  connected to one side edge  23  opposite the connector(s)  35 , as described below. Further, the sheet  15  may additionally or alternately have sheet handles  28  connected along the end edges  34 . Still further, the sheet handles  28  may be connected to the device  20  in a different way, such as by heat welding, sonic welding, adhesive, etc. The sheet handles  28  may be formed of a strong, relatively inelastic material, such as a nylon material. Other types of handles may be utilized in further embodiments. 
       FIGS.  11 - 16    illustrate another embodiment of a system  10  for use in turning and positioning a person resting on a surface, which includes a patient turning device  20 . The embodiment of  FIGS.  11 - 16    includes many features that are similar or identical to the features described above with respect to the embodiments in  FIGS.  1 - 10   , both in structure and in function, and such similar or identical structures and functions in the embodiment of  FIGS.  11 - 16    will not otherwise be described in detail for the sake of brevity. Similar reference numbers are used with respect to the embodiment of  FIGS.  11 - 16    to reference features similar to those in the embodiments of  FIGS.  1 - 10   . 
     The device  20  in the embodiment of  FIGS.  11 - 16    includes two pairs of pull handles (e.g., pull straps  40 ), with each pair connected along one of the side edges  23  of the sheet  15 , similar to the embodiments of  FIGS.  1 - 10   . The pull straps  40  in this embodiment are releasably connected to flaps  41  that are connected to the sheet  15  along the side edges  23 , also similar to the embodiments of  FIGS.  1 - 10   . The device  20  in  FIGS.  11 - 16    differs from the embodiments in  FIGS.  1 - 10    in that the device of  FIGS.  11 - 16    includes sheet portions  30  that can be connected to each other in only one orientation, with one sheet portion  30 A being a dedicated “left” or “first” sheet portion and the other sheet portion  30 B being a dedicated “right” or “second” sheet portion when viewed from above the top surface  21  of the sheet  15 . It is understood that the use of “left” and “right” or “first” and “second” in this context is intended only for reference in understanding the drawings, and that no structure should be implied by the use of these terms. Indeed, it is recognized that rotation of the device  20  of  FIGS.  11 - 16    by 180° in the plane of the sheet  15  would place the left sheet portion  30 A on the right side of the right sheet portion  30 B. The left sheet portion  30 A in this embodiment is configured for connection of the pull straps  40  only along the left side edge  33 , and the right sheet portion  30 B in this embodiment is configured for connection of the pull straps  40  only along the right side edge  33 . The sheet portions  30  in  FIGS.  11 - 16    are each provided with flaps  41  in these locations for connection to the pull straps  40 , as described herein. 
     The device  20  in the embodiment of  FIGS.  11 - 16    has sheet handles  28  that are positioned differently from the sheet handles  28  of the embodiments of  FIGS.  1 - 10   . In this embodiment, the sheet  15  has strips  29  forming sheet handles  28  connected to the bottom surfaces  22 ,  32  at the side edges  33  of the sheet  15 , with each sheet portion  30  having strips  29  forming sheet handles  28  connected to one side edge  23  opposite the connector(s)  35 . The sheet portions  30  do not have the sheet handles  28  on both side edges  23  in this embodiment. 
     The sheet portions  30  in the embodiment of  FIGS.  11 - 16    are connected by use of releasable connectors  35  in the form of hook-and-loop connecting structures or other complementary releasable connecting materials. In this embodiment, the left sheet portion  30 A has a releasable connector  35  on the top surface  31  (see  FIG.  13   ), and the right sheet portion  30 B has a complementary connector  35  on the bottom surface  32  (see  FIG.  16   ). These connectors  35  are positioned along the side edges  33  of the respective sheet portions  30  and slightly inwardly from the side edges  33 , such that portions of each sheet portion  30  overlap each other when connected. The connectors  35  in this embodiment are provided as a single, continuous strip of the releasable connecting material that extends along the side edge  33 , but may be provided as separate strips in another embodiment, such as shown in  FIGS.  7 - 10   . In further embodiments, the sheet portions  30  may use other releasable connectors  35  having different structures, including any releasable connecting structure or material described herein. 
     The pull straps  40  may be made from any suitable material, and may be made from a strong, flexible, but relatively inelastic material. In one embodiment, the pull straps  40  may be made from the same material as the strips  29  forming the sheet handles  28 , such as a nylon material, as described above. The pull straps  40  are generally configured for connection to the sheet  15 , and may have releasable connecting structures  43  for forming a releasable connection with the sheet  15 , as described above. The pull straps  40  may also have one or more handles  46  configured for gripping by the user for pulling the straps. The pull straps  40  illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  11    each have a handle  46  at the end opposite the connecting structure  43  that is formed by a loop at the end of the pull strap  40 , e.g., by stitching the end of the pull strap  40  in a loop. The pull straps  40  illustrated in  FIG.  1    have additional handles  46  along the length of the strap  40  that are formed by separate pieces of the same material connected to the pull strap  40 , e.g., by stitching. In other embodiments, the pull straps  40  may have a different number, type, and/or configuration of handles  40 , including handles formed of other types of materials, such as rigid grips. In a further embodiment, the pull straps  40  may not have structurally distinct handles. It is understood that the number of pull straps  40  used in connection with the device  20  may depend on the configuration of the device  20  itself and the intended use of the device, e.g., how many pull straps  40  the device  20  is designed to include during use. It is also understood that while all of the pull straps  40  are illustrated as being identical, a combination of differently configured pull straps  40  may be used in another embodiment. 
     The device  20  may include one or more access apertures  37  (e.g., holes) through the sheet  15  to provide access to the patient  11  when the device  20  is wrapped around the patient  11 , e.g., for medical equipment such as a catheter to pass through the device  20 . The device  20  in the embodiment of  FIGS.  11 - 16    has an access aperture  37  in each sheet portion  30 , which is formed as a slit that is reinforced by a buttonhole stitch or other reinforcement. Any equipment that is inserted through the access aperture(s)  37  may be inserted before, after, or during use of the device  20  to roll a patient  11 , as appropriate. The access aperture(s)  37  may be provided in a different size, shape, configuration, etc., in other embodiments. The embodiments in  FIGS.  1 - 10    may also be provided with one or more access apertures  37  if desired. It is understood that if an access aperture  37  is provided in the embodiments of  FIGS.  1 - 10   , the sheet portions  30  may each have a more centrally-located access aperture  37  or two access apertures provided symmetrically, in order to retain the rotational symmetry described above. 
     Another embodiment of the system  10  and device  20  is illustrated in  FIGS.  21 - 27   . The embodiment of  FIGS.  21 - 27    includes many features in common with the embodiments in  FIGS.  1 - 10   , which are similar in structure and/or in function, and such similar or identical structures and functions in the embodiment of  FIGS.  21 - 27    will not otherwise be described in detail for the sake of brevity. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  21 - 27   , the flaps  41  are fixedly connected to the left and right sheet portions  30 A-B (e.g., by stitching, adhesive, etc.) and are generally trapezoidal in shape (see  FIGS.  24 - 26   ), with a wide base  44  connected to the sheet and decreasing in width farther from the base  44  and a short edge  49  opposite the wide base  44  that has a length that is shorter than the length of the base  44 . In this embodiment, the pull handles are roll handles  47 . A roll handle  47  is fixedly connected (e.g., by stitching) to each flap  41 , and may be connected at or proximate the short edge  49 . In the embodiment of  FIGS.  21 - 27   , the roll handle  47  is connected at two points proximate the ends of the short edge  49 . The roll handle  47  may be formed of a strong, relatively inelastic material, such as a nylon material, and may have a length sufficient to extend away from the one corner of the short edge  49 , loop back around on itself, and attach to the other corner of the short edge  49 . An additional pull handle  48  is also fixedly connected (e.g., by stitching) to each flap  41 , and may also be connected at or proximate the short edge  49  along a width of a top of the flap  41 . The additional pull handle  48  may be formed by a strip of a strong material, such as a nylon material, and in the embodiment of  FIGS.  21 - 27   , the additional pull handle  48  is connected at each corner of the short edge  49 . The non-connected portion of the additional pull handle  48  can be separated slightly from the short edge  49  to allow a user&#39;s hands to slip underneath, and thereby form the additional pull handle  48 . The roll handle  47  and the additional pull handle  48  may be useful for moving the device  20  and the patient  11  in many different ways, including sliding the device  20  and the patient  11  and/or turning the patient  11 . 
     The flaps  41  on the right sheet portion  30 B in the embodiment of  FIGS.  21 - 27    are connected proximate the side edge  33  opposite the connector strip  35  and extend outward from this side edge  33 . The flaps  41  on the left sheet portion  30 A in this embodiment are located along the lateral centerline, i.e., equidistant from both side edges  33  of the left sheet portion  30 A, as discussed in greater detail below. Furthermore, as shown in  FIG.  21   , the flaps  41  are offset longitudinally (i.e., in a direction extending between the end edges  34 ) with respect to the flaps on the opposite sheet portion, such that when the outer side edges  33  of each sheet  30 A- 30 B are wrapped toward each other, the flaps  41  do not directly overlap each other. In the embodiment shown, the flaps on the left sheet portion  30 A are longitudinally positioned toward the end edges  34 , while the flaps  41  on the right sheet portion  30 B are longitudinally positioned toward the longitudinal center, away from the end edges  34 . In this way, when wrapped towards each other, flaps  41  on the left sheet portion  30 A can pass between the flaps  41  on the right sheet portion  30 B. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS.  21 - 27   , the left sheet portion  30 A is generally symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis and with respect to a lateral axis. Referring to  FIG.  22   , two releasable connector strips  35  are fixedly attached (e.g., by stitching) to the top surface  31  of the left sheet  30 A at or near the side edges  33  in a symmetrical arrangement. The connector strips  35  in the embodiment of  FIGS.  21 - 27    extend the entire lengths of the side edges  33  of the left sheet portion  30 A, terminating at the end edges  34  of the left sheet  30 A. The connector strips  35  in other embodiments may extend less than the entire lengths of the side edges  33  and/or may be formed in a number of spaced connector strips  35  along the side edges  33 , with the connector strips  35  still positioned symmetrically with respect to each other. In the embodiment of  FIGS.  21 - 27   , the flaps  41  of the left sheet portion  30 A are attached to the bottom surface  32  of the left sheet portion  30 A in the center of the left sheet  30 A, equidistant between the two side edges  33  of the left sheet portion  30 A, as shown in  FIG.  25   . In this configuration, the flaps  41  can be folded to extend toward the left or right side edge  33  of the left sheet  30 A. The flaps  41  are shown extending toward the left side edge  33  in  FIGS.  21 - 22 ,  25  and  26   , but it is understood that the flaps  41  may be “flipped” to extend to the right side edge to create a configuration that is a mirror-image of the configuration shown in  FIGS.  22 ,  25 , and  26   . The symmetrical configuration of the left sheet  30 A provides the benefit of allowing the left sheet to be attached to the right sheet  30 B from either side. In this way, the left sheet  30 A serves as a primary sheet and the right sheet  30 B serves as a side sheet that can be placed on either side of the primary sheet. The right sheet  30 B may be rotated to place its releasable connector strip  35  on either the left or right side of the patient  11 , whereupon the nearest releasable connector strip  35  of the left sheet  30 A is attached to the connector strip  35  of the right sheet  30 B. It is understood that the flaps  41  may be extended to the side edge  33  of the left sheet  30 A that is opposite the connection to the right sheet  30 B when the sheets  30 A-B are connected. It is also understood that the term “left sheet” is used with reference to the orientation shown in  FIG.  21   , and that the left sheet  30 A would be located to the right of the right sheet  30 B if the orientations of the sheets  30 A-B are switched as described above. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS.  21 - 27   , the left sheet portion  30 A may include a body pad on the top surface  31 . The body pad may protect the patient&#39;s skin by absorbing and locking in moisture while allowing air flow. The body pad may provide heat and moisture control to areas contacting the patient&#39;s skin. In some embodiments, the body pad is fixedly attached (e.g., by stitching, adhesive, etc.) to the top surface  31 . In some embodiments, the body pad is removably attached to the top surface  31 . For example, the body pad may include two releasable connector strips on a top and bottom of the body pad, such that the body pad can be releasably connected to the connector strips  35 . The right sheet  30 B could then by releasably connected to the body pad, and therefore the left sheet  30 A via the connector strips on the body pad. In some embodiments, the body pad is removably attached using a different set of connectors such that the body pad does not interfere with the connector strips  35  of the left sheet portion  30 A. 
     In one embodiment, the device  20  may include connecting structures or bundling mechanisms, such as one or more roll connections  51  and one or more attachment pads  52 ,  53  that are configured to assist in rolling or bundling loose portions of the device  20  during use. The device  20  in the embodiment of  FIGS.  21 - 27    has two attachment pads  52  fixedly connected (e.g. by stitching, adhesive, etc.) to the bottom surface  32  of the right sheet  30 B. The attachment pads  52  on the right sheet  30 B as shown in  FIG.  24    are located on each end edge  34  of the right sheet  30 B, adjacent to or near the placement of the releasable connector  35 . This embodiment also includes four attachment pads  53  fixedly connected (e.g. by stitching, adhesive, etc.) to the bottom surface  32  of the left sheet  30 A. The attachment pads  52 ,  53  in this embodiment are formed by hook-and-loop connections or other complementary releasable connecting materials or structures to permit releasable connection. The attachment pads  53  on the left sheet  30 A as shown in  FIGS.  25  and  26    are located on each end edge  34  of the left sheet  30 A, adjacent to or near the placement of the side edges  33 . The device  20  in the embodiment of  FIGS.  21 - 27    also includes two roll connections  51  fixedly connected (e.g. by stitching, adhesive, etc.) to the top surface  31  of the right sheet  30 B. The roll connections  51  in this embodiment are formed by hook-and-loop connection or other complementary releasable connecting materials or structures to permit releasable connection, such that the roll connections  51  are capable of being releasably connected to any of the attachment pads  52 ,  53 . The roll connections  51  as shown in  FIG.  23    are located on each end edge  34  of the right sheet portion  30 B, adjacent to or near the side edge  33  opposite the flaps  41 . The attachment pads  52 ,  53  attached to the right sheet  30 B and the left sheet  30 A and the roll connections  51  connected to the right sheet  30 B may be used in combination in rolling up the side sheets  30 A, B to avoid tripping or tangling in the sheets, as more fully described herein. 
     In some embodiments, the device  20  may additionally or alternatively have a bundling mechanism in the form of a drawstring mechanism to aid in bundling loose portions of the device. For example, the device  20  in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  26    includes a compartment  60  on the bottom of the left sheet portion  30 A. The compartment  60  includes two open ends  62  that a strap  64  is fed therethrough. The strap  64  may be formed of a strong, relatively inelastic material, such as a nylon material, and may have a length sufficient to extend the length of the compartment  60 , with additional material extending out of both open ends  62 . The straps  64  can be held while the left sheet portion  30 A is moved to create a drawstring type configuration. The left sheet portion  30 A may include a single compartment  60 , or several compartments  60 . Compartments  60  may be located near the edges  34 , near the middle of the left sheet portion  30 A, or both. In some embodiments, the compartments  60  are equally spaced along the length of the left sheet portion  30 A. In some embodiments, there is provided a mechanism for securing the left sheet portion  30 A in its bundled state after the sheet has been moved relative to the strap  64  to bundle loose portions. In yet another embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  27   , the device  20  may have a bundling mechanism in the form of a pocket  61  that is attached to the right sheet portion  30 B and is configured to store the left sheet portion  30 A when it is rolled or bundled, to contain the loose sheet. In some embodiments, the pocket  61  may be on the left sheet portion  30 A for storing the right sheet portion  30 B. 
     In one embodiment, the device  20  may have an expandable portion within the right sheet portion  30 B that can expand to accommodate anatomical features of the patient  11 . The expandable portion in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS.  21 ,  23 ,  24 , and  27    includes an opening or hole  38  located in the central portion of the right sheet portion  30 B, which may be cut or otherwise formed within the right sheet portion  30 B. The shape of the opening  38  depicted in  FIGS.  23 - 24    is circular, but the opening may be oval-, square-, or rectangle-shaped, or any other shape in other embodiments. For example, in  FIG.  27   , the opening  28  has an oval shape. A covering material  39  is positioned to cover the opening  38 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  23 - 24  and  27   , the covering material  39  is a flexible and elastic or stretchable material, e.g., polyurethane fabric (“Spandex”) or a similar material to permit expansion of the expandable portion. The opening  38  may alternatively be covered by a less elastic covering material  39 , such as a portion of the same material as the right sheet  30 B, where the covering material  39  covering the opening  38  is sufficiently loose or billowy to allow the material to bulge away from the right sheet portion  30 B when pressed to permit expansion of the expandable portion. The inclusion of the expandable portion in the right sheet  30 B as described herein provides the benefit of accommodating the anatomy of the patient  11  when in the prone position. For example, where the patient  11  is a pregnant woman, the expandable portion allows for the patient&#39;s belly  11  to protrude through the aperture  38  and ensures the patient&#39;s comfort. 
     The device  20  in the embodiment in  FIGS.  21 - 27    further includes two access apertures  37  on the right sheet  30 B, with one access aperture  37  located on each longitudinal side of the opening  38 , between the opening  38  and the end edges  34  of the right sheet  30 B. In this embodiment, the right sheet  30 B can be rotated and placed beneath the patient  11  with the connector strip  35  on either the patient&#39;s  11  right or left side, as described above. 
     One embodiment of a method of using the system  10  to turn a patient  11  between a supine position and a prone position according to aspects of the disclosure is illustrated in  FIGS.  17 - 20   . The method is illustrated with respect to the embodiment of the system  10  shown in  FIGS.  11 - 16   , but it is understood that essentially the same method can be used in connection with the embodiments of  FIGS.  1 - 10   . The example in  FIGS.  17 - 20    is illustrated for use in rolling a supine (e.g., a first position) patient to a prone position (e.g., a second position) and then back to supine, but it is understood that this method may be used for rolling between other positions, such as from a prone position to supine and back. In using the device  20 , one of the sheet portions  30  (the left sheet portion in the illustrated example) is placed beneath the patient  11  on a supporting surface  16  of a support device in the form of a hospital bed or a gurney  12 A, as shown in  FIG.  17   . The sheet portions  30  are illustrated in  FIG.  17    as being connected already, but the patient  11  may be placed on the left sheet portion  30 A alone, and the right sheet portion  30 B may be connected at a later time, by using the connectors  35 . The devices  20  in the embodiments in  FIGS.  1 - 10    may be manipulated in the same or a similar manner. It is understood that in another embodiment, the right sheet portion  30 B may be positioned under the patient  11 , and the left sheet portion  30 A may be connected on the left side thereof. If this method is used with either of the embodiments in  FIGS.  1 - 10   , such configurations enable another identical sheet portion  30  to be connected on either the right or left side of the sheet portion  30  positioned beneath the patient  11 . The sheet portion  30  that is not positioned beneath the patient  11  may be referred to as the “free” sheet portion  30 . The right sheet portion  30 B in the illustrated configuration is initially the free sheet portion  30 B, as illustrated in  FIG.  17   . In a configuration where the pull straps  40  are removable, such as shown in  FIGS.  17 - 20   , the pull straps  40  may be connected to the device  20  at any point during this step, either before or after placement of the sheet portion  30  beneath the patient  11  and either before or after connection of the two sheet portions  30  together. Additionally, the device  20  may be moved into a desired position before or after connection of the pull straps  40  or the free sheet portion  30 B, such as by a caregiver  18  grasping the sheet handles  28 . If the device  20  is used to roll the patient  11  onto another support device  12 , then the patient  11  and the device  20  may be slid into position near the side  19  of the bed  12 A. A second support device, such as an operating table  12 B as shown in  FIGS.  17 - 20   , may be placed next to the bed  12 A, if the patient  11  is to be rolled onto the second support device  12 B. 
     After the device  20  is in position beneath the patient  11 , the free sheet portion  30 B is wrapped over the top of the patient  11 , and the pull straps  40  connected proximate the side edges  23  of the device  20  are wrapped in opposite directions across the patient  11 , such that the caregiver  18  on the left side of the patient  11  can grasp the pull straps  40  connected at the right side edge  23  and the caregiver  18  on the right side of the patient  11  can grasp the pull straps  40  connected at the left side edge  23 . This arrangement is illustrated in  FIG.  18   . In anticipation of rolling the patient  11  to the right in  FIG.  18   , the caregiver  18  on the left side pulls on the pull straps  40  until the free sheet portion  30 B is wrapped tightly against the patient  11 , and the caregiver  18  on the right side maintains a pulling force creating a tension and/or resistance force in the pull straps  40 . At this point, the caregiver  18  on the right side can pull on the pull straps  40  to roll the patient  11  to the right, as shown in  FIG.  19    by a pulling force in a direction opposite the direction of the resistance force. During this motion, the caregiver  18  on the left side maintains tension (e.g., a resistance force) in the pull straps  40  to prevent the patient  11  from rolling too quickly or violently. In the example illustrated, the patient  11  is rolled to the right, from a supine position on the hospital bed or gurney  12 A to a prone position on an operating table  12 B, such as for spinal surgery or other surgery on the patient&#39;s back. It is understood that the formerly free sheet portion (right sheet portion  30 B) in  FIGS.  17 - 18    is positioned beneath the patient  11  at the stage shown in  FIG.  19   , and the other sheet portion (left sheet portion  30 A) may be considered to be free at this point. The free sheet portion  30 A can then be unwrapped and/or disconnected at this point and re-connected at a later time, if desired. The patient  11  can subsequently be rolled back to the supine position and onto the hospital bed or gurney  12 A by the reverse technique, i.e., the left caregiver  18  creating a pulling force on the pull straps  40  to roll the patient  11  back to the left, while the right caregiver  18  creates a pulling force in a direction opposite the pulling force, causing a resistance force, as illustrated in  FIG.  20   . It is understood that other steps and variations may be used in connection with this method, as appropriate for proper patient care. 
     The system  10  and device  20  illustrated in  FIGS.  21 - 27    may be used in a substantially similar manner to the embodiments of the system  10  and device  20  of  FIGS.  1 - 16   , such as illustrated in  FIGS.  17 - 20   . The system  10  and device  20  in  FIGS.  21 - 27    provide additional functional features that may be used in connection with another embodiment of the method of using the system  10 . In the embodiment of  FIGS.  21 - 27   , when the patient  11  is placed on the left sheet portion  30 A, the right sheet portion  30 B is free and generally hanging from the side of the support device  12 , similar to the arrangement illustrated in  FIG.  17   . The right sheet portion  30 B may be rolled onto itself in this embodiment, beginning at the side edge  33  proximate the flaps  41 , or gathered in a drawstring fashion. Once the right sheet  30 B is fully rolled, such that the right sheet  30 B is in a roll or bundle proximate the side edge  33  of the left sheet portion  30 A (i.e., the right side edge  33  as shown in  FIG.  21   ), the attachment pads  52  on the right sheet portion  30 B may be releasably affixed to the roll connections  51  on the right sheet portion  30 B. Alternatively, the excess sheet material may be gathered using the drawstring configuration of  FIG.  26    or the pocket of  FIG.  27   . Thus, removing the previously-dangling right sheet portion  30 B from the area around the support device  12  and helping reduce the risk of tripping, snags, or entanglement with individuals or devices surrounding the support device  12  or patient  11 . 
     Similarly, when the patient  11  is situated on the right sheet portion  30 B and the device  20  is unfolded, the left sheet portion  30 A is free and generally hanging from the side of the support device  12 . The left sheet portion  30 A may be rolled onto itself in this arrangement, beginning at the side edge  33  opposite the connection strip  35 , or gathered in a drawstring fashion. Once the left sheet portion  30 A is fully rolled, such that the left sheet portion  30 A is in a roll or bundle proximate the side edge  33  of the right sheet portion  30 B (i.e., the left side edge  33  as shown in  FIG.  21   ), the attachment pads  53  on the left sheet portion  30 A may be releasably affixed to the roll connections  51  on the right sheet portion  30 B. Alternatively, the excess sheet material may be gathered using the drawstring configuration of  FIG.  26    or pocket of  FIG.  27   . Thus, removing the previously-dangling left sheet portion  30 A from the area around the support device  12  and helping reduce the risk of tripping, snags, or entanglement with individuals or devices surrounding the support device  12  or patient  11 . 
     The use of the system(s)  10  and method(s) described herein can have beneficial effects for patients that are turned and positioned using the same, as well as for nurses or other caregivers who turn and position such patients. For example, patients that are turned using the device will be turned in a smooth and stable manner, avoiding sudden forces and twisting of portions of the patient&#39;s body, which could be particularly damaging to patients who are unconscious and/or have spinal injuries. As another example, the use of the straps for turning the patient allows the caregivers to turn the patient smoothly by pulling backward from an upright position, rather than lifting and/or bending over the patient, which can cause physical stress to the caregiver, particularly when heavier patients are involved. As a further example, the releasable connection between the sheet portions in one embodiment provides flexibility for use in different situations and allows the free portions of the sheet to be removed when not in use, so as to not cause a hazard or interfere with medical procedures being performed. The removable straps provide a similar benefit, as they can be removed when not in use, so as to not cause a hazard or interfere with medical procedures being performed. As a still further example, the sheet handles  28  along the side edges  33  of the sheet portions  30 , in conjunction with the low friction nature of the sheet material, can be used by the caregiver  18  to more easily move or position the patient  11  on the support device  12 , both before and/or after the patient  11  is rolled, to ensure the patient is in the most appropriate and/or comfortable position on the support device  12 . As yet another example, once the patient  11  has been rolled onto a second support device  12 , such as an operating table  12 B, the sheet portion  30  that is no longer underneath the patient  11  may be removed by detaching the releasable connectors  35 , thus helping to prevent entanglement or tripping hazards for the caregiver  18  while attending to the patient  11 . Still other benefits and advantages over existing technology are provided by the system  10  and methods described herein, and those skilled in the art will recognize such benefits and advantages. 
     Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. The terms “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” etc., as used herein, are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the embodiments in any way. Additionally, the term “plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Further, “providing” an article or apparatus, as used herein, refers broadly to making the article available or accessible for future actions to be performed on the article, and does not connote that the party providing the article has manufactured, produced, or supplied the article or that the party providing the article has ownership or control of the article. Accordingly, while specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention.