Patent Publication Number: US-2022233386-A1

Title: Inflatable support

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/061,956, filed on Jun. 13, 2018, entitled “Inflatable Support” (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,298,282), which is a national stage entry of International Application Serial No. PCT/US2017/015609, filed on Jan. 30, 2017, entitled “Inflatable Support,” which claimed benefit to U.S. Provisional Appl. Ser. No. 62/288,161, filed Jan. 28, 2016, entitled “Hovertech Two Chamber Inflatable Support,” each of which is incorporated herein in their respective entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Positioning patients for medical imaging and other procedures presents risks to both the patient and caregivers. Patients must be placed in a seated position and a device inserted to maintain the patient in the seated position. Often, this requires a caregiver to lift a patient, which can result in injury to the caregiver or require multiple caregivers. Moving and/or readjusting a patient who has certain injuries can also exacerbate such injuries. 
     The use of devices or supports to maintain a patient in a seated position can cause issues during imaging. Internal stringers, supports, or other structures can limit imaging and/or generate artifacts in images of patients. Such limitations and artifacts can result in false positive/negative results during medical imaging resulting in misdiagnosis and/or improper treatment. 
     SUMMARY 
     In various embodiments, an inflatable patient support is disclosed. The inflatable patient support includes a top panel defining a first perimeter and a bottom panel defining a second perimeter. The second perimeter of the bottom panel is coupled to the first perimeter of the top panel. An internal wall is coupled between the top panel and the bottom panel to define a first chamber and a second chamber. The internal wall defines at least one passage therethrough that allows fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber. The first chamber and the second chamber are inflatable 
     In various embodiments, a method of positioning a patient is disclosed. The method includes positioning a patient on an inflatable patient support. The inflatable patient support comprises a top panel defining a first perimeter, a bottom panel defining a second perimeter, and an internal wall. The second perimeter of the bottom panel is coupled to the first perimeter of the top panel and the internal wall is coupled between the top panel and the bottom panel to define a first chamber and a second chamber. The internal wall defines at least one passage therethrough that allows fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber. The first chamber and the second chamber are inflatable. An inflation device is coupled to the first chamber of the inflatable patient support and the first chamber of the inflatable patient support is inflated. The first chamber is inflated at a first rate by air flow from the inflation device The second chamber is inflated at a second rate by air flow from the first chamber through the at least one passage defined in the internal wall. 
     In various embodiments, an inflatable support is disclosed. The inflatable support includes a body having a top panel defining a first perimeter and a bottom panel defining a second perimeter. The second perimeter of the bottom panel is coupled to the first perimeter of the top panel. The body is configured to be inflated. The body defines a flat profile in a deflated configuration and a patient seating area in an inflated position. An internal wall is coupled between the top panel and the bottom panel. The internal wall, the top panel, and the bottom panel define a first chamber and a second chamber. The internal wall defines at least one passage therethrough configured to provide air flow between the first chamber and the second chamber. An inflation valve is coupled to the body and configured to be coupled to an inflation device. The inflation valve is configured to provide air flow from the inflation device to the first chamber such that a portion of the body defining the first chamber inflates at a first rate by air flow from the inflation device and a portion of the body defining the second chamber inflates at a second rate by air flow through the at least one passage. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully disclosed in, or rendered obvious by the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which are to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of an inflatable seat support in an inflated state, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view the inflatable seat support of  FIG. 1  in a deflated state, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the inflatable seat support of  FIG. 1  in a partially inflated state, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the inflatable seat support of  FIG. 1  in a fully inflated state, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top down view of the inflatable seat support of  FIG. 4 , in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top down view of the inflatable support of  FIG. 1  having a patient positioned in a patient seating area, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top-down view of an inflatable support having an inflation valve located on a bottom panel, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a system including an inflatable support and an inflation device, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a method of positioning a patient using an inflatable support, in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The description of the preferred embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In this description, relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both moveable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term “operatively coupled” is such an attachment, coupling, or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship. 
     In various embodiments, an inflatable support is disclosed. The inflatable support includes a body having an upper panel and a lower panel. The upper panel and the lower panel have similar shapes and are coupled about a perimeter of each of the upper panel and the lower panel. At least one inner wall extends from an inner surface of the upper panel to an inner surface of the lower panel. The upper panel, the lower panel, and the inner wall define a first inflation chamber and a second inflation chamber. In some embodiments, a channel extends through the inner wall to couple the first and second inflation chambers. An inlet valve is coupled to a portion of the body and is configured to direct air flow into one of the first inflation chamber or the second inflation chamber. 
       FIGS. 1-5  illustrate an inflatable support  2 , in accordance with some embodiments. The inflatable support  2  includes a body  4  defined by an upper panel  6  and a lower panel  8 . A perimeter  10   a  of the upper panel  6  is coupled to a perimeter  10   b  of the lower panel  8  to define a perimeter  10  of the body  4 . In some embodiments, the upper panel  6  and the lower panel  8  have a similar size and/or shape, although it will be appreciated that the upper panel  6  and the lower panel  8  can have a disparate size and/or shape in some embodiments. The upper panel  6  and/or the lower panel  8  can be a single panel or sheet of material and/or can include multiple sheets or material coupled together. 
     An internal wall  22  extends between and is coupled to an inner surface of the upper panel  6  and an inner surface of the lower panel  8 . The internal wall  22  divides an inner volume of the body  4  into a first inflatable chamber  24  and a second inflatable chamber  26 . The first and second inflatable chambers  24 ,  26  correspond to first and second inflatable portions  28 ,  30  of the body  4 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the internal wall  22  defines a first, or rear, inflatable chamber  24  corresponding to a first, or rear, inflatable section  28  and the a second, or front, inflatable chamber  26  corresponding to a second, or front, inflatable section  30 . Although a single internal wall  22  is illustrated, it will be appreciated that the inflatable support  2  can include a plurality of internal walls  22  defining two or more inflatable chambers corresponding to two or more inflatable portions of the body  4 . 
     The inflatable support  2  includes one or more air inlets  14  formed in at least one of the upper panel  6  and/or the bottom panel  8 . An inflation device, such as a blower (see  FIG. 8 ) is coupled to one or more of the air inlets  14 . Air is pumped from the inflation device into the internal volume of the body  4  to inflate the first inflatable section  28  and/or the second inflatable section  30 . In some embodiments, the inflatable seat support  2  is configured for hands-free inflation. For example, in some embodiments, the air inlets  14  are configured to securely couple to a hose of the inflation device. Although embodiments are illustrated herein showing two air inlets  14 , it will be appreciated that the inflatable support  2  can include a lesser and/or greater number of air inlets  14 . 
     The air inlets  14  can include any suitable valve and/or port configured to allow air movement from the inflation device to at least one of the internal chambers  24 ,  26 . For example, in some embodiments, the air inlets  14  include one-way valves configured to allow air movement from the inflation device to the internal chambers  24 ,  26  but prevent air movement out of the internal chambers  24 ,  26 . In other embodiments, the air inlets  14  can include two-way valves/ports and a cap or other device configured to seal the air inlets  14  after inflation. 
     In some embodiments, the internal wall  22  defines one or more internal air passages  32  that allow fluid communication (e.g., air flow) between the first internal chamber  24  and the second internal chamber  26 . During inflation of the body  4 , the inflation device is coupled to one of the inlet ports  14  and an inflation gas, such as air, is pumped into one of the internal chambers  24 ,  26 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the air inlets  14  provide fluid communication between an inflation device and the first internal chamber  24 . The inflation gas flows through the air passage  32  from the first internal chamber  24  to the second internal chamber  26  and inflates the second inflatable portion  30 . Although embodiments are illustrated having the inlet port  14  coupled to the first inflatable section  28 , it will be appreciated that one or more inlet ports can be coupled to the second inflatable section  30  and/or any additional inflatable sections. 
     In some embodiments, the first inflatable portion  28  is configured to inflate at a first rate and the second inflatable portion  30  is configured to inflate at a second rate. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the inlet port  14  is coupled to the first internal chamber  24 . Air flow from the inflation device into the first internal chamber  24  inflates the first inflatable portion  28  at a first inflation rate. Simultaneously, air flows from the first internal chamber  24  to the second internal chamber  26  through the air passage(s)  32  defined in the internal wall  22 . Air flow through the air passage(s)  32  into the second internal chamber  26  inflates the second inflatable portion  30  at a second inflation rate. In some embodiments, air flow through the air passage(s)  32  occurs after the first internal chamber  24  has been inflated to a predetermined pressure. 
     In some embodiments, the size ratio of the inlet ports  14  and/or the internal passage(s)  32  are configured to define an inflation ratio between the first inflation rate and the second inflation rate. The ratio between the first inflation rate and the second inflation ratio is selected to provide advantageous inflation of the inflatable support  2 . For example, in some embodiments, the ratio between the first inflation rate and the second inflation rate is selected such that the first inflatable portion  28  inflates at a higher rate than the second inflatable portion  30 . The ratio between the first inflation rate and the second inflation rate can be, for example, a 2:1 ratio, a 4:1 ratio, and/or any other suitable ratio. Although example inflation rates are given herein, it will be appreciated that the inflation ratio can be selected to provide any suitable ratio of inflation. 
     In some embodiments, the size of the inlet port(s)  14  and/or the internal air passage(s)  32  are configured to provide a predetermined inflation ratio. For example, in some embodiments, the inflation ratio between the first inflatable portion and the second inflatable portion is equal to X:1, where X is the area ratio between the inlet port(s)  14  and the internal air passage(s)  32 . The area ratio can be calculated as: 
     
       
         
           
             
               Area 
               ⁢ 
               
                   
               
               ⁢ 
               ratio 
             
             = 
             
               
                 A 
                 L 
               
               
                 
                   A 
                   s 
                 
                 * 
                 n 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     where A L  is equal to the area of the inlet port  14 , A s  is equal to the area of the internal passage(s)  32 , and n is equal to the number of internal passage(s)  32  defined in the internal wall  22 . As one example, the inflatable support can include a single inlet port  14  having a diameter of 0.7625″ and two internal passage(s)  32  each heaving a diameter of about 0.375″. In this example, the area ratio can be calculated as: 
     
       
         
           
             
               A 
               s 
             
             = 
             
               
                 
                   π 
                   ⁡ 
                   
                     ( 
                     
                       0.375 
                       2 
                     
                     ) 
                   
                 
                 2 
               
               = 
               
                 0.1104466 
                 ⁢ 
                 
                     
                 
                 ⁢ 
                 
                   in 
                   2 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
       
         
           
             
               A 
               L 
             
             = 
             
               
                 
                   π 
                   ⁡ 
                   
                     ( 
                     
                       0.7625 
                       2 
                     
                     ) 
                   
                 
                 2 
               
               = 
               
                 0.4566354 
                 ⁢ 
                 
                     
                 
                 ⁢ 
                 
                   in 
                   2 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
       
         
           
             
               Area 
               ⁢ 
               
                   
               
               ⁢ 
               ratio 
             
             = 
             
               
                 
                   A 
                   L 
                 
                 
                   
                     A 
                     s 
                   
                   * 
                   2 
                 
               
               = 
               
                 2.0672222 
                 ≈ 
                 2 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     In the example embodiments, the inflation ratio is equal to about 2:1 (e.g., the first inflatable portion  28  inflates at about twice the rate of the second inflatable portion  30 ). Although specific values are provided in this example, it will be recognized that the size of the inlet port(s)  14 , the size of the internal passage(s)  32 , and/or the number of inlet port(s)  14  and/or internal passage(s)  32  may be varied based on one or more parameters of the inflatable support  2 . 
     In some embodiments, the inflation ratio between the first inflation rate and the second inflation rate is selected such that the first inflatable portion  28  substantially inflates prior to inflation of the second inflatable portion  30 . For example, as discussed in more detail below, the first inflatable portion  28  may be substantially inflated prior to the second inflatable portion  30  to position a patient prior to inflation of the second inflatable portion  30 . Inflation of the second inflatable portion  30  raises the patient into a seated position. Substantially inflating the first inflatable portion  28  prior to substantially inflating the second inflatable portion  30  causes a patient that is slightly off-center to be repositioned prior to raising the patient to a seated position, providing additional stability and preventing the patient from sliding off of the inflatable support  2  during inflation. 
     In some embodiments, one or more exhaust ports  16  are formed in at least one of the first inflatable portion  28  and/or the second inflatable portion  30  to allow deflation of the inflatable support  2 . In the illustrated embodiment, the exhaust ports  16  are formed in the upper panel  6 , although it will be appreciated that the exhaust ports  16  can additionally or alternatively be formed in the lower panel  8 . The exhaust ports  16  can be sized and configured to provide deflation of the inflatable support  2  at a predetermined rate. In some embodiments, the exhaust port(s)  16  can have different sizes configured to provide different rates of deflation for each of the inflatable portions  28 ,  30  of the body  4 . 
     In some embodiments, the inflatable seat support  2  comprises a bellows design sized and configured to support a patient during one or more procedures, such as, for example, a radiological imaging procedure. The shape of the upper panel  6  and the lower panel  8  are selected to provide a specific shape when inflated. For example, in some embodiments, the upper panel  6  and the lower panel  8  are selected such that a patient seating area  34  is defined by the inflatable support  2  in an inflated position (see  FIG. 4 ). In some embodiments, the upper panel  6  and/or the lower panel  8  have a rounded profile in an inflated state configured to provide lateral stability to the inflatable support  2 . Although embodiments are illustrated having a rounded profile, it will be appreciated that the upper panel  6  and/or the lower panel  8  can have any suitable profile shape, including but not limited to a squared profile, a rounded profile, an oblong profile, etc. 
     In some embodiments, the patient seating area  34  is defined by the geometry of the second inflatable portion  30  when inflated and is not present (e.g., not defined) prior to inflation of the inflatable support  30  (see  FIG. 2 ). The patient seating area  34  can be defined by the shape and perimeter  10  of a portion of the first and/or second inflatable portion  28 ,  30  when inflated. The first inflatable portion  28  is configured to position a patient within the patient seating area  34  prior to inflation of the second inflatable portion  30 . 
     In some embodiments, a seating tongue  36  extends from body  4 . The seating tongue  36  is positioned within the seating area  34  defined by the body  4 . The seating tongue  36  is configured to be positioned beneath a patient to maintain  2  in a fixed positioned with respect to a patient during inflation, use, and deflation. In some embodiments, the seating tongue  36  includes a non-inflatable fabric strip that extends from the perimeter  10 . When a patient is positioned on the seating tongue  36 , the weight of the patient prevents the inflatable support  2  from moving with respect to the patient and/or a surface (such as a table). In some embodiments, the inflatable support  2  can be coupled to the surface by one or more additional means, such as straps, hook and loop connections, ties, and/or any other suitable attachment mechanism. The surface can be any suitable surface, including, but not limited to, a hospital bed or a radiological imaging table. 
     In some embodiments, the inflatable support  2  includes arm sections  38   a ,  38   b  extending from the body  4  and further defining the patient seating area  34 . The arm sections  38   a ,  38   b  are configured to position a patient within the patient seating area  34  during inflation of the first inflatable portion  28 . The arm sections  38   a ,  38   b  are defined by a portion of the first inflatable portion  28  and inflate at the first rate. As the arm sections  38   a ,  38   b  inflate, the patient is positioned in the center of the patient seating area  34 . In some embodiments, the arm sections  38   a ,  38   b  provide stability to the patient and prevent the patient from sliding out of the patient seating area  34  during inflation of the inflatable support  2 . Although embodiments are illustrated herein including two arm sections  38   a ,  38   b , it will be appreciated that the inflatable support  2  can include a lesser or greater number of arm sections configured to position a patient within the patient seating area  34  during inflation. 
     In some embodiments, the body  4 , the internal wall  22 , and/or the tongue  36  include a radiolucent material. The radiolucent material allows x-rays and other radioscopic procedures to be performed on a patient supported by the inflatable support  2  without interfering with the imaging. The radiolucent material can be a flexible radiolucent plastic or other material, such as TPU, EVA, Nylon, PCV, and/or any other suitable material. 
     The internal wall  22  may be heat bonded, glued, ultrasonically bonded, and/or otherwise attached to the upper and lower panels  6 ,  8 . In some embodiments, the location of the internal wall  22  determines the size and shape of the patient seating area  34 , the support arms  38   a ,  38   b , and/or one or more features of the inflatable support  2 . In some embodiments, the inflatable support  2  is constructed without internal stringers or supports. Each of the internal chambers  24 ,  26  are defined by the inner surface of the body  4  and one or more internal chamber walls  22  that are coupled directly to the upper panel  6  and the lower panel  8  of the inflatable support  2 . The internal chamber wall(s)  22  includes a radiolucent material. For example, in some embodiments, the internal chamber wall(s)  22  include the same radiolucent material as the body  4  of the inflatable support  2 , although it will be appreciated that alternative and/or additional radiolucent materials can be used. By excluding internal supports, the inflatable support  2  advantageously allows imaging of a patient without interference due to stringers and/or other internal support members. The absence of internal stringers further allows the inflatable support  2  to lay flat in a deflated state. Although embodiments are illustrated herein without internal stringers/supports, it will be appreciated that the inflatable support  2  can include one or more internal stringers/supports in some embodiments. 
     In some embodiments, a strap  40  is coupled to the body  4  and/or the tongue  36 . The strap  40  is configured to couple the inflatable support  2  to a patient. For example, in some embodiments, the strap  40  is coupled to the tongue  36 . In other embodiments, the strap  40  is coupled to one or more portions of the body  4 , such as, for example, protrusions  42   a  and  42   b . The protrusions  42   a ,  42   b  comprise a non-inflatable section of the body  4 . The strap  40  may be placed over a patient and buckled when the inflatable seat support  2  is in a deflated state. For example, the strap  40  may be placed over a patient&#39;s chest and/or abdomen. The strap  40  maintains the inflatable seat support  2  in contact with the patient in a deflated state and maintains the inflatable seat support  2  out of contact with imaging machinery, positioning machinery, and/or other medical machinery during positioning or movement of a patient. Although a single strap  40  is disclosed, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inflatable support  2  may comprise any suitable number of straps  40 . 
     In operation, the inflatable support  2  is used to transition a patient from a first position, such as a laying position, to a second position, such as a seated position. The inflatable support  2  can be further configured to move the patient from the second position back to the first position. For example, in some embodiments, a patient is positioned on the inflatable support  2  when the inflatable support  2  is in a deflated state, such as shown in  FIG. 2 . An inflation device is coupled to one of the inlet ports  14 . The inflatable support  2  is inflated to raise the patient from a laying position to a seated position for one or more procedures, such as, for example, radiological imaging. After the procedures are performed, one or more of the outlet ports  16  are unsealed to allow the first internal chamber  24  and the second internal chamber  26  to deflate, transitioning the patient from the second position back to the first position. In some embodiments, the inflatable support  2  may be inflated prior to the patient being seated on the inflatable support  2 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of the inflatable seat support  2  in a deflated state. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the inflatable seat support  2  defines a substantially rectangular shape in a deflated state. The upper panel  6  and the lower panel  8  lay flat in the deflated state. The patient seating area  36  (see, for example,  FIGS. 3-4 ) is not visible in  FIG. 2 , as the patient seating area  36  is defined by the inflated geometry of the inflatable support  2 . Similarly, the arm sections  40   a ,  40   b  are not shown and are only defined by the inflatable support  2  in an inflated state. By providing a rectangular, flat shape, the inflatable support  2  can be easily stored and/or positioned in the deflated state. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the inflatable support  2  in a partially inflated state. The first inflatable portion  28  is partially inflated by, for example, an inflation device (not shown) coupled to one or more of the air inlet(s)  14 . The first inflatable portion  28  is partially inflated. As the first inflatable portion  28  inflates, the air flow rate into the second inflatable portion  30  increases and the second inflatable portion  30  begins to inflate. The curved perimeter of the first inflatable portion  28  defines a patient seating area  34 . The second inflatable portion  30  raises a patient from a flat, laying position (when the inflatable support  2  is deflated) into a sitting or partially-reclined position when the second inflatable portion  30  is at least partially inflated. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a top down view of one embodiment of the inflatable support  2  having a patient  50  positioned thereon. The patient  50  is positioned with an abdomen section located on the seating tongue  36  and the upper body extending onto the body  4  of the inflatable support  2 . After the patient  50  is positioned, an inflation device is coupled to the air inlet  14  to inflate the first inflatable portion  28 . The weight of the patient  50  on the seating tongue  36  maintains the position of the inflatable support  2  during inflation. As the first inflatable portion  28  inflates, the patient  50  is centered on the body  4  of the inflatable support  2 . The second inflatable portion  30  is sequentially and/or simultaneously inflated to raise the patient  50  from a laying position to a seated position. 
     Although embodiments of the inflatable support  2  discussed herein include a first inflatable portion  28  and a second inflatable portion  30 , it will be recognized that the inflatable support  2  may include any number of independent and/or interdependent inflatable sections defining one or more internal chambers. For example, in some embodiments, a second internal wall can define a third internal chamber corresponding to a third inflatable portion of an inflatable support  2 . The third inflatable portion can be inflated at one of the first or second rates and/or can be inflated at a third rate, different from the first and second inflation rates. In some embodiments, one or more internal passages may be defined in the second internal wall to allow air to flow from the first and/or second internal chambers  24 ,  26  to the third internal chamber at a predetermined flow rate. In other embodiments, the second internal wall can define a third internal chamber separate and independently inflatable from the first and second internal chambers  24 ,  26  of the inflatable support  2 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a top-down view of an inflatable support  2   a  having an air inlet located on a bottom panel, in accordance with some embodiments. The inflatable support  2   a  is similar to the inflatable support  2  discussed in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-6 , and similar description is not repeated herein. The inflatable support  2   a  includes at least one air inlet  14   a  (shown in phantom) formed through a bottom panel  8  of the inflatable support  2 . The air inlet  14   a  allows an inflation device coupled to the air inlet  14   a  to be positioned away from a patient and/or connected to the inflatable support  2   a  while the patient is being positioned thereon without interfering with positioning the patient. The inflatable support  2   a  includes at least two deflation valves  16  coupled to an upper panel  6  of the body  4 . In the illustrated embodiment, the deflation valves  16  are in fluid communication with the second internal chamber  26  such that opening the deflation valves  16  results in rapid deflation of the second inflatable portion  30  and slower deflation of the first inflatable portion  28 , as air must travel from the first inflatable portion  28 , through the internal passage(s)  32 , and into the second inflatable portion  30  before being expelled through the deflation valves  16 . In some embodiments, a patient&#39;s weight on the inflatable support  2   a  helps to force air from the first inflatable portion  28 , into the second inflatable portion  30 , and out of the deflation valves  16 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a system  100  including an inflatable support  2   b  coupled to an inflation device  60 , in accordance with some embodiments. The inflatable support  2   b  is similar to the inflatable support  2  discussed above in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-6 , and similar description is not repeated herein. The inflation device  60  includes a pump  62  and a hose  64  coupling the pump  62  to one or more of the air inlet(s)  14  of the inflatable support  2   b . The pump  62  is configured to provide positive air flow into the first internal chamber  24  of the inflatable support  2   b . In some embodiments, the pump  62  is configured to provide a predetermined air flow rate. The predetermined air flow rate is selected to inflate the first inflatable portion  28  at a first inflation rate. In some embodiments, the hose  64  includes a coupling mechanism  66  configured to couple the hose  64  to the air inlet(s)  14 . The coupling mechanism  66  can include any suitable coupling mechanism, such as a clamp, clip, thread, and/or any other suitable coupling mechanism. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating a method  200  of positioning a patient for medical imaging using an inflatable support, in accordance with some embodiments. At step  202 , an inflatable support, such as the inflatable support  2  discussed above, is positioned on a surface. The surface can include any suitable patient-receiving surface, such as an imaging table (e.g., radiological imaging table), a hospital bed, and/or any other suitable surface. At step  204 , a patient is positioned over the inflatable support  2 . The patient can be positioned such that the patient is seated on and/or otherwise applying weight to a tongue  36  extending from a body  4  of the inflatable support  2 . At step  206 , one or more imaging and/or other medical procedures are performed. 
     At step  208 , an inflation device, such as inflation device  60 , is coupled to at least one of the air inlets  14  on the body  4 . The inflation device  60  can include a hose  64  coupled to the air inlets  14  by one or more coupling mechanisms  66  and/or can be manually coupled by a user. 
     At step  210 , the inflation device begins inflating the inflatable support  2  through the air inlet(s)  14 . The inflation device provides a positive air flow into the first internal chamber  24  of the inflatable support  2 . At step  212 , the first inflatable portion  28  is partially inflated by the positive air flow and positions the patient within a seating area  34 . The first inflatable portion  28  is inflated at a first rate by the positive air flow from the inflation device. As the first inflatable portion  28  inflates, the patient is centered with respect to the inflatable support  2  and positioned within the seating area  34 . 
     At step  214 , the second inflatable portion  30  beings to inflate. The second inflatable portion  30  is inflated by a positive air flow from the first internal chamber  24  into the second internal chamber  26  through one or more internal passages  32  defined in an internal wall  22 . The second inflatable portion  30  is inflated at a second flow rate. In some embodiments, the second flow rate is determined by the ratio between the air inlet(s)  14  and the internal passage(s)  32  as discussed above. The second inflation rate is less than the first inflation rate. 
     At step  216 , the first inflatable portion  28  and the second inflatable portion  30  fully inflate and position the patient in a seated position. In some embodiments, the first inflatable portion  28  includes one or more arm sections  38   a ,  38   b  configured to maintain the patient in the center of the patient seating area  34  during inflation of the second inflatable portion  30 . 
     At step  218 , at least one deflation valve  16  is opened to allow air to flow out of the first and second internal chambers  24 ,  26 . In some embodiments, the one or more deflation valves are sized and configured to provide deflation of the first and second inflatable portions  28 ,  30  at a predetermined rate of deflation. For example, in some embodiments, one or more deflation valves  16  are coupled to the second inflatable portion  30  and provide deflation of the second inflatable portion  30  at a first rate. The one or more deflation valves  16  also provide deflation of the first inflatable portion  28  at a second deflation rate which is less than the first deflation rate. In other embodiments, at least one deflation valve  16  is coupled to the first inflatable portion  28  and at least one deflation valve  16  is coupled to the second inflatable portion  30 . 
     At step  220 , the inflatable support  2  is fully deflated and the patient is returned to a laying position. The patient can be subsequently removed from the inflatable support  2  and/or remain on the inflatable support  2  to allow the patient to be transitioned back to the seated position for subsequent and/or additional procedures. 
     Although the subject matter has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments, which may be made by those skilled in the art.