Patent Publication Number: US-10772778-B2

Title: Patient repositioning sheet and sling

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application is in the field of medical repositioning devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In medical environments, such as hospital intensive care units, caregivers and medical staffers may devote a significant portion of their time to moving and repositioning patients that are not capable of moving themselves. For example, to inhibit formation of pressure ulcers or bed sores in patients that are comatose or otherwise incapable of moving on their own accord, medical caregivers may be tasked with moving and/or repositioning these patients at regular intervals (e.g. every two hours). Moreover, some patients are not capable of moving by themselves, and caregivers may be asked to help move such patients from one location to another, for example, from a hospital bed to the toilet, and back again. This movement and repositioning can be a strenuous and even dangerous practice for the caregivers, particularly where the patient is heavy relative to the strength of the caregiver. 
     To help caregivers reposition patients, medical facilities may utilize repositioning sheets, such as the Comfort Glide™ repositioning sheet sold by Medline Industries. These repositioning sheets provide a soft upper surface that is comfortable for a patient to rest upon, a lower friction surface on an underside of the sheet, and handles that help the caregivers grasp the sheet. These features help the caregivers to slide the sheet and patient along a resting structure, such as a hospital bed, which makes the process of repositioning less burdensome for the caregiver. 
     Another technique that medical facilities employ to move or reposition a patent involves using a sling with a patient lift. Such slings can be placed underneath a patient, and strapped or otherwise engaged with a lifting device that uses a hoist to lift a patient off a resting structure, after which the patient can be moved, repositioned, or transferred to another resting structure. 
     While both the repositioning sheet and the lift/sling systems can be effective tools for moving patients, in certain situations one tool may be more effective than the other. For instance, where multiple caregivers (e.g., nurses) are present at a patient&#39;s side, and that patient is to be moved only a short distance, (e.g., from a supine to a partially recumbent resting position on a hospital bed), the repositioning sheet can provide a quick and efficient technique to achieve the movement that does not need to involve the use of the large lifting equipment. However, where the patient requires movement over a greater distance (e.g., transfer from a hospital bed to a wheelchair or an operating table), the sling/lift may be a more effective tool. 
     The present application describes tools and techniques that allow caregivers to have an option to choose which technique they need for the task at hand, and to perform the necessary repositioning or lifting without having to change the sheet beneath the patient. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary patient repositioning apparatus disposed on a support structure. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the patient repositioning apparatus of  FIG. 1  with the strap members extended perpendicular to the side edges of the apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the patient repositioning apparatus of  FIG. 1  showing handles disposed on an underside of the apparatus. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a corner portion of the patient repositioning apparatus of  FIG. 1  with the corner folded back showing different materials that form the opposing surfaces of the apparatus. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged elevational view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  showing the structure of the handles. 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view of the strap member of the patient repositioning apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 , depicting multiple bights for securing to a lifting mechanism at different connection points. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an exemplary lifting mechanism that can be used with the patient repositioning apparatuses described in this application. 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged perspective view of a strap connector arm of the lifting mechanism of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a patient resting on a patient repositioning apparatus over a support surface with a lifting mechanism positioned adjacent the patient. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the patient repositioning apparatus of  FIG. 1  engaging with a lifting mechanism. This figure illustrates the patient still contacting the support surface but ready to be raised to a lifted position. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a patient supported by a patient repositioning apparatus and in a lifted position. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a patient resting on a patient repositioning apparatus while being repositioned relative to a hospital bed. 
         FIG. 13  depicts a patient repositioning apparatus and wedges on a hospital bed. 
         FIG. 14  shows a patient on the patient repositioning apparatus being lifted onto wedges for recumbent support in accordance with certain methods of using a patient repositioning apparatus described in this application. 
         FIG. 15  depicts an example of a patient on a patient repositioning apparatus being slid into a recumbent position on a wedge. 
         FIGS. 16A-C  depict an example of a patient on a patient repositioning apparatus being log-rolled into a recumbent position over a supporting wedge. 
         FIG. 17  is a flow diagram depicting exemplary method steps for repositioning and/or transferring a patient using a patient repositioning apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This application describes examples of a patient repositioning apparatus that can serve as both a patient repositioning sheet and a patient sling. The patient repositioning apparatus includes a sheet with multiple handles and multiple strap members. The sheet has an upper surface and an opposing lower surface and defines an outer periphery that has opposing side edges. The upper surface of the sheet includes an upper surface material, and the lower surface of the sheet includes a lower surface material that is formed from a relatively low-friction material as compared to the upper surface material. The handles are disposed along the opposing side edges of the sheet, and the strap members are attached to the sheet and distributed across both opposing side edges. Each of the strap members includes a strap portion that forms at least one bight in the strap member, and preferably plural bights. The bight can be used to secure the strap member to a lifting device. 
     This application also describes kits that include patient repositioning apparatuses and other equipment. For example, the kits may include a patient repositioning apparatus as described above, and a lifting mechanism with mechanical hoist and a strap connector arm that has hooks sized to engage the strap members of the patient repositioning apparatus. Additionally and/or alternatively, a kit can include a wedge (or multiple wedges) that are configured to support a patient in a partially recumbent or reclined position. The wedge includes a base and an inclined portion. The materials forming the surfaces of the base and inclined portion can be selected to have similar or differing friction levels depending on the intended use of the wedge. 
     This application also describes examples of methods for repositioning and/or transferring a patient using the patient repositioning apparatuses described herein. The methods include positioning a repositioning apparatus (e.g., a patient repositioning apparatus as described above) on a resting structure, such as a hospital bed or gurney, and then positioning a patient on the repositioning apparatus. The methods may include using handles of the repositioning apparatus to move and/or slide the patient along a resting structure, or from one resting structure to another. The methods may also include repositioning the patient and the patient repositioning apparatus so that the patient rests in a recumbent position upon one or more inclined wedges, such as by rolling or sliding. Some methods also include engaging the strap members of the patient repositioning apparatus with a connector arm of a lifting mechanism, and lifting the patient. Once lifted, the patient can then be repositioned on the resting structure, or moved to another structure, such as a different hospital bed, a gurney, an operating table, or a wheelchair. 
     This application refers to relative friction levels among the various surfaces of a patient repositioning apparatus. Generally speaking, a friction level is dependent on a number of factors, including the material forming the surfaces of the sheet, the corresponding surface engaging with the sheet to generate the friction, and the normal force acting between the two surfaces. In this application, a “low friction” or “lower friction” surface is a relative term that refers to the relative frictional forces generated when two surfaces are tested under similar conditions. For example, to test the relative frictional forces between two surfaces, Surface A and Surface B, a 4 kg iron block may be placed onto each surface, and the dynamic and static frictional forces necessary to move or initiate movement the block are measured. Where the measured dynamic and/or static forces for Surface A are relatively low compared to those measured for Surface B, Surface A will be considered a relatively “low friction” surface, and Surface B will be considered a relatively “high friction” surface. In general, a “low friction” surface will generate a relatively low friction coefficient σ compared to a “high friction” surface when tested using a similar iron block. It should be noted that the terms “high friction” and “low friction” are terms of relativity applied among multiple different materials, but these terms are not meant to convey any absolute value or range of values. 
     In general, surfaces formed from plastics, vinyl, and similar materials tend to make for good “low friction” surfaces that facilitate sliding and gliding along or between medical resting structures (e.g., hospital beds and gurneys). However, these materials tend to be cool, stiff, and uncomfortable, and do not generally make for a suitable surface that a patient can rest upon. Softer resting surfaces, such as those made from textiles, cloths, microfibers, and the like, will be generally more comfortable for a patient to rest upon. However, these softer surfaces tend to generate higher friction coefficients compared to those of the mentioned “low friction” materials. Accordingly, the patient repositioning apparatus may comprise multiple layers, each formed from a different material, so that the upper resting surface is formed from the softer high friction material, whereas the underside surface is formed from a sleeker, lower friction material. This higher friction, softer upper surface not only provides added comfort to a patient, but it also inhibits the unwanted slipping of the patient relative to the sheet during repositioning. In some embodiments, the low-friction material may be nylon and the high-friction material may be microfiber. It is not necessary that the low friction material be completely excluded from the upper surface, and thus, for example, the sheet may be composed of a sheet of high friction material secured to a slightly larger sheet of low friction material. Similarly, it is not necessary that the high friction material be completely excluded from the lower surface. Generally, other materials can be used in fashioning the sheet. 
     The patient repositioning apparatus may be of any suitable size and shape, and can be the same size as a standard sheet for a hospital bed or other support surface so that the repositioning apparatus can be fitted to the bed and serve as the bed sheet. The support surface may be any structure capable of supporting a resting patient. For example, the support surface can be a hospital bed (or a standard bed), a gurney, a wheelchair, a reclining chair, an operating table, or testing/scanning equipment (e.g., an X-ray or CAT scan device), to name a few options. 
     The term “patient repositioning apparatus” used throughout this application refers to a device that can operate as both a sheet and a sling. As such, this application may refer to the apparatus as either a “sheet” or a “sling,” but any such references should not be limited to one particular functionality. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the patient repositioning apparatus  100  includes a sheet  120  and strap members  160  extending therefrom. The strap members can be configured to attach with a variety of different lifting devices, although some embodiments may be particularly configured to work with a particular lifting device. The strap members may all be of the same length, or they may be of a variety of different lengths that allows for the apparatus  100  to attach to a lifting device in different lifting configurations designed to lift the patient in certain lifting positions. For instance, in some examples, the strap members are configured to engage with a lifting device so that the patient is lifted in a supine position, while other examples may allow for an engagement that lifts the patient in a seated position. Some embodiments may include strap members that are adjustable in length, or that are otherwise configured to engage with the lifting mechanism in a variety of different positions, thereby allowing for a variety of different lifting configurations. For example, the strap members may include multiple different bights or loops, each of which can engage with a lifting device at a different location, thereby allowing for flexibility in the manner that the lifting device raises the patient. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2  the strap members  160  are shown in  FIG. 2  as extending perpendicular to the side edges  130 / 132  of the sheet  120 . The sheet  120  can be sized to fit on a particular support structure or mattress, but the sheet  120  can also be of a non-specific size and can be used with a variety of different equipment. The sheet  120  is generally rectangular in shape, with opposing side edges  130 / 132  spaced apart from one another and extending between opposing top  136  and bottom edges  138 . However, in other examples, a sheet may take on another shape, such as a triangular shape, a round or elliptical shape, or another polygonal shape, depended on the intended application of the sheet  120  and the corresponding structure that it is designed to work with. 
     The sheet  120  can be formed of a variety of materials, and in some embodiments, the sheet  120  includes multiple layers. The multiple layers form opposing sheet surfaces  122 / 124 , each of which may be formed from different materials. For example, an upper surface  122  of the sheet  120  may be configured to provide a soft, comfortable surface for a resting patient, and may therefore be formed from softer high friction material such as cotton, microfiber or other textiles. Conversely, the opposing lower surface  124  may be formed from low friction material to facilitate sliding of the patient repositioning apparatus  100  on the resting structure  10 . The lower surface  124  can be formed from a synthetic material, such as a plastic, vinyl, or the like. 
     The embodiment in  FIGS. 1 and 2  shows a patient repositioning apparatus  100  with six strap members  160  extending from each side of the sheet  120 , but different embodiments may have more or fewer strap members, depending on the lifting equipment used with the patient repositioning apparatus  100 . For instance, some examples may have two, four, five, or eight strap members  160  extending from each side of the sheet  120 . The strap members  160  may include a plurality of bights or loops (shown in more detail in  FIG. 6 ), each of which provides a point for attaching to a lifting device. This multi-bight configuration allows flexibility in terms of the length of the strap member when attaching to a lifting device, and in particular allows the patient repositioning apparatus  100  to be used to support a patient in a generally seated position. 
     In some examples, each side of the sheet  120  may have a different number of strap members  160  extending therefrom. Further, some examples may have one or more strap members  160  extending from the upper  136  or lower  138  edges of the sheet  120 , depending again on the corresponding equipment used with the patient repositioning apparatus  100 . 
     The strap members  160  are configured to attach to the sheet  120  via securement locations  161  along the first and second side edges  130 / 132  of the sheet  120 . The securement locations  161  may include two or more sealing points comprising stitching, welding, or another mode of attachment, and used to secure ends of the strap members  160  to the sheet  120 , as described further below and shown in more detail in  FIG. 6 . The securement locations  161  may also serve to secure handles  140  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) or portions of the handles  140  to the underside  124  of the sheet  120 . The handles  140  may also be secured to the sheet  120  at intermediary securement locations  169  spaced between the securement locations  161  along the side edges of the sheet  120 . 
     Some examples of the patient repositioning apparatus  100  may include retaining members (not shown) that extend from the sheet  120 , which are configured to help hold or secure the patient repositioning apparatus  100  onto a resting structure. The retaining members may include bands, belts, or straps designed to wrap around a portion of the resting structure, and engagement structure, such as clips, buttons, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, or the like. 
     The patient repositioning apparatus  100  also includes one or more handles  140  on the underside of the sheet  120  that help a caregiver  20 , or multiple caregivers, move and/or reposition the patient repositioning apparatus  100  on or between resting structures. As seen in  FIG. 3  handles  140  are generally on an underside  124  of the sheet  120 . The handles may be formed from a strip or band  142  that extends along the side edges  130 / 132  of the underside  124  of the sheet  120 . The bands  142  are secured to the sheet  120  at various securement locations  161  and  169 , each of which comprise sealing points  144  along the side edges  130 / 132  or periphery of the sheet  120 . These sealing points  144  can be formed, for example, by stitching, welding, or adhering the band  142  to the sheet  120 . For instance, the sealing points  144  can be formed by stitching a pattern comprising a boxed in “X,” whereby the stitching passes through each of the sheet  120 , the band  142 , and/or a portion of a strap member  160 . The handles  140  may be disposed on the same side edges as the straps  160 , or on the intersecting top and bottom edges. In the illustrated embodiment, the patient repositioning apparatus  100  includes two handles  150  and  151  disposed on a top edge  136  of the sheet  120 , the top edge  136  being intended for placement near the head of a patient when in use. The top handles  150  and  151  may be secured to the underside  124  of the sheet  120  at a location near the upper corners of the sheet  120 , as well as at securement locations  152  and  159  located along the upper edge  136  inward from the corner. 
     Extending between the various sealing points  144 , the band  142  will form an un-attached portion that serves as a gripping portion  146  of the handle  140 . In this way, the patient repositioning apparatus  100  may include multiple handles  140  positioned along the entire length of the underside  124  of the sheet  120 , thereby offering a caregiver a variety of options for gripping locations when moving a patient. The sealing points  144  can be arranged to affix both a portion of the handles  140  and a portion of the strap members  160  to the sheet  120 , as shown with respect to securement locations  161 , such that one stitching pattern secures both objects to the sheet  120 . The handles can also attach to the sheet  120  via sealing points  144  placed at intermediary securement locations  169  between the securement locations  161  that affix the strap members  160  to the sheet  120 , thereby providing multiple handles that offer multiple gripping locations along the sheet. In some examples, the patient repositioning apparatus  100  may also include a handle or handles  150 / 151  attached to the upper edge  136  of the sheet  120  (as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ), or to a lower edge  138  of the sheet  120 . 
     In other examples, a patient repositioning apparatus may include only a single handle  140  on each side of the sheet  120 , secured at two locations. In still other examples, each side of the sheet  120  may include a plurality of handles, each formed from a separate band or series of bands that are separately and individually attached to the underside of the sheet  120 . In other examples, the handles  140  may be formed on the upper surface  122  of the sheet  120 . In yet further examples, the handles  140  may be formed as a part of the sheet  120  itself, for instance, by way of slots cut into the sheet, or tabs, knobs, strips, or other features that extend from the sheet  120 . And in embodiments where the sheet is a non-rectangular shape, the handles may be formed in the side edge or edges that define the outer peripheral shape of the sheet, such as the perimeter of a round or elliptical shaped sheet. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , corner portion  105  is folded back to show the opposing upper  122  and lower  124  surfaces of the sheet  120 . As shown by the different texture patterns, the lower surface  124  is formed from a slicker, low friction material, and the upper surface  122  is formed from a softer, more comfortable material that is generally forms a higher friction surface. The folded corner  105  also shows a handle  140  extending along a side edge  130 , and a second handle portion  150  positioned on the upper edge  136  perpendicular to the side edge  130 . A strap member  160  is also secured to the sheet  120  at a securement location  161  that secures both the strap member  160  and a portion of a handle  140 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts the band  147  secured to the underside  124  of the sheet  120  at sealing points  144 , with the unsecured gripping portion  146  extending there between. The sealing point  144  can include stitching  145  that passes through one or more of the layers of the sheet  120 , and the band material  142  that forms the handles  140 . 
     The sealing points  144  securing the handles to the sheet  100  can also serve as the sealing points that attach the strap members  160  to the sheet  100  (for clarity,  FIG. 5  removes the strap members  160  from view). For instance,  FIG. 6  illustrates the attachment points  165 / 167  between the strap members  160  and the patient repositioning apparatus  100 . The strap members  160  include a strap portion at one end that allow for attachment to a lifting device. That bight  170  is configured to engage with a hook or other similar structure on a lifting device. Opposite the bight  170 , the strap member  160  is secured to the sheet  120  via two attachment points  165 / 167  that secure the end portions of the strap member  160  to the sheet  120 . In the shown configuration, the attachment points  165 / 167  are formed via stitching  145 , though other techniques could be used, such as via an adhesive or via a welding technique. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the strap member  160  that includes multiple strap portions  170 / 171 / 172  for securing to a lifting device. Each strap portion is defined by a loop or bight that allows the strap member  160  to effectively operate at different lengths. This can allow for the patient repositioning apparatus  100  to connect to a lifting device in a variety of different lifting positions. For example, where it is desired to lift a patient in a reclined or seating position, shorter bights  171  or  172  are used adjacent the head of the patient and longer bights  170  or  171  are used adjacent the buttocks of the patient. While the strap members  160  shown and described with respect to this application include three separate strap portions or bights, other embodiments may use strap members  160  with more or fewer bights, depending on the intended use of the strap members, and the corresponding structure of the lifting mechanism. For example, some strap members may include four, five, or six bights, while others may include two or only one bight. Moreover, other examples may utilize other techniques for adjusting the length of a strap member  160 , for example, by providing the strap member  160  as two separate bands that engage with one another via adjustable securing devices like clips, hooks, slide fasteners, buckles, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, and the like. 
     In some forms, the patient repositioning apparatus  100  may be provided as a component of a kit that includes a lifting device, such as the lifting device  200  shown in  FIG. 7 . In the depicted example, the lifting device  200  includes a base  210  with wheels  214  that allow the lifting device  200  to be carted around between multiple locations. The lifting device  200  also has a vertical support structure  212 , and a mechanical hoist  220  that causes a cross beam  218  to move up and down as desired. The hoist  220  may be hydraulic or otherwise configured. A connector arm  240  is connected to the end of the cross beam  218 , and can operate with the patient repositioning apparatus  100 . Two hook structures  250 / 251  attached to opposing ends of the connector arm  240 . Each of the hook structures  250 / 251  comprise multiple hooks configured to engage with strap members  160  from a patient repositioning apparatus  100 . The hook structure  250  is configured to engage with the strap members  160  that extend from the first side edge  130  of the sheet  120 , and the second hook structure  251  is configured to engage with the strap members  160  extending from the opposing second side edge  132  of the sheet  120 . A motor  201  configured with operator control may be provided to actuate the hoist  220 . The control  205  may include an up button  206  and a down button  207  that activate movement of the hoist  220  upward and downward, respectively. 
       FIG. 8  shows of one hook structure  250  of the connector arm  240  of the lifting device  200  of  FIG. 7 . The hook structure  250  comprises three separate hooks, including opposing end hooks  252 / 254 , and a central hook  256  that protrudes perpendicular to the length of the hook structure  250 . Each of the opposing end hooks  252 / 254  and the central hook  256  may be sized to engage with a strap location or a bight on a strap member  160  of a patient repositioning apparatus  100 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 9 , a patient  1  rests on a patient repositioning apparatus  100 , and the lifting device  200  of  FIG. 7  is arranged over the patient prior to lifting. As shown, the lifting device  200  is arranged so that the connector arm  240  spans over the patient  1  so that the opposing hook structures  250 / 251  are arranged relative to the side edges of the patient repositioning apparatus  100 . Continuing to  FIG. 10 , patient repositioning apparatus  100  is connected to the lifting mechanism  200  in preparation for lifting the patient. As shown, each of the strap members  160  is engaged with one of the hooks of the hook structures  250 / 251 . As is known in the art, the smallest bight of the straps  160  is used near the head section of the patient, the largest bight is used near the buttocks of the patient, and the intermediate or smallest bight is used near the feet of the patient, to create a “seat” for the patient. At this point, the lifting device may be activated and the patient lifted from the support surface, and may be raised to the position shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     The patient repositioning apparatus  100  also may be used for patient repositioning without a lift, as shown in  FIG. 12 . As depicted, the patient  1  rests on a patient repositioning apparatus  100  while being repositioned relative to a hospital bed  10 . In this example, medical caregivers (depicted with hands  20 ) are gripping the patient repositioning apparatus  100  via the handles  140  on the sides  130 / 132  of the sheet  120 , and sliding the patient  1  toward a distal end  11  of a hospital bed  10 . Because the underside of the sheet  120  is a low friction surface, the friction resistance between the sheet  120  and the mattress  10  is relatively low, which allows for easier repositioning of the patient  1 . 
     The patient repositioning apparatus  100  described in this application can be used in a variety of environments, and in connection with a variety of other equipment and components. For example, the patient repositioning apparatus  100  can be used with a disposable dry pad that can be placed between the patient repositioning apparatus  100  and the patient  1  to absorb fluids and manage moisture that may develop between the patient and the patient repositioning apparatus  100 . 
     In some circumstances, the patient repositioning apparatus  100  can be used along with a system designed to assist continued movement and repositioning of the patient. Such systems can include wedges upon which the patient can be positioned to situate the patient in a partially recumbent position. As shown in  FIG. 13 , the patient repositioning apparatus  100  may be used with one or more wedges  400  on a hospital bed  10 . These wedges  400  can be used, for example, on patients that must be moved and/or repositioned periodically to inhibit formation of bed sores on the patient  1 . That is, the wedges  400  can be used to provide alternative positions for repositioning an immobile patient  1 . 
     The wedges  400  each have a base surface  420 , which is designed to engage with the mattress of a hospital bed or other support surface, and an inclined surface  440 , which supports the patient. The wedges  400  can be formed from a flexible material such as a foam, and can be provided in varying levels of stiffness. The base surface  470  comprises a generally high friction material to inhibit unwanted movement or sliding of the wedge  400  along a resting surface when a patient rests there upon. In some examples, the inclined surface  440  can include the same material that forms the base surface  420 , but in other examples, the inclined surface  440  is formed from a low friction material relative to that of the base surface. Using such a low friction material on the inclined surface  440  can help a caregiver position a patient onto the wedge or wedges by sliding the patient and the repositioning apparatus up along the wedge. In such an embodiment, because the inclined surface  440  and the underside  124  of the patient repositioning apparatus  100  are relatively low friction materials, the caregiver will experience relatively low resistance when sliding the patient onto the wedge  400 . In  FIG. 15 , the patient  1  is disposed on a patient repositioning apparatus  100  and is being slid by a caregiver into position on a wedge  400  in accordance with this technique. As shown, the patient is slid in the direction of arrows  300  to move the patient to a recumbent supported position. 
     In addition to the sliding technique shown in  FIG. 15 , the patient repositioning apparatus  100  can assist repositioning of a patient with respect to the wedges  400  via other techniques. For example,  FIG. 14  shows a patient  1  on a patient repositioning apparatus  100  resting on a hospital bed  10 . The patient repositioning apparatus  100  is engaged with a lifting device  200  via the strap members  160 , and is thus being lifted slightly off the hospital bed  10 . Wedges  400  are placed on the bed  10  beneath the elevated patient  1 . From this position, the lifting mechanism  200  can lower the patient  1  and the patient repositioning apparatus  100  so that the patent 1 engages with the wedges  400  in a reclined or partially recumbent position. When the patient is repositioned again, the same technique can be sued to lift the patient  1 , and the wedges  400  can then either be placed on another side of the patient, or removed so that the patient lowers to a supine position. 
       FIGS. 16A-C  shows another technique for repositioning a patient  1  relative to wedges  400  using the patient repositioning apparatus  100 . In this technique, a caregiver rolls a patient  1  onto the patient&#39;s side, and a wedge  400  (or multiple wedges  400 ) can be pressed against the patient  1 , underneath the patient repositioning apparatus  100  as shown in  FIG. 16B  Once the wedge  400  is in place, the patient  1  can be rolled back onto the wedge  400  in a reclined position, as shown in  FIG. 16C . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 17 , at step  510  a patient repositioning apparatus (e.g., apparatus  100 ) is positioned on a resting structure, such as a hospital bed. A patient can be placed or positioned  520  on the resting structure on top of the apparatus and/or sheet. In some instances, the patient may already be lying on the resting structure, and the apparatus can be installed beneath the patient using a log-rolling technique. For example, a caregiver can roll a patient onto their side, place the apparatus on a portion of the resting structure where the patient was previously lying, then roll the patient onto the apparatus on their opposite side, and then extend the remainder of the apparatus over the remainder of the resting structure. From this position on the apparatus, the patient can then be moved, repositioned, or relocated according to a variety of different techniques. In some examples, the patient can be moved by sliding  530  the patient and the patient repositioning apparatus on the resting structure, or to another resting structure. For example, using handles on the patient repositioning apparatus, caregivers may slide  530  the patient to an alternative position on a hospital bed, or slide  530  the patient to another resting structure, such as a gurney placed adjacent to a hospital bed. The patient can also be repositioned  540  onto wedges via one of a variety of methods, including the sliding technique shown described with respect to  FIG. 15 , the lifting technique described with respect to  FIG. 14 , or the rolling technique described with respect to  FIGS. 16A-C . Additionally, the patient repositioning apparatus can be engaged  550  with a lifting device, for example, by engaging strap members on the patient repositioning apparatus with connector arms on the lifting device. Once engaged, the lifting device can lift  560  the patient off the resting structure. The lifting can lift the patient in a seated position, as shown in  FIG. 11 , or in a lying position (e.g., a supine position), as shown in  FIG. 14 . Once lifted, the patient can then either be repositioned  570  on the resting structure, for example, by being placed upon wedges as shown in  FIG. 14 , or transferred  580  to another resting structure, such as a hospital gurney, a wheel chair, another hospital bed, an operating table, or the like. 
     One need not necessarily perform all of the aforementioned steps in the order described above. For example, the method may perform the lifting step  560  before the sliding step  530 . Further, the method does not necessarily require performance of all of the aforementioned steps. For instance, some methods may only perform one or some of the aforementioned steps. However, where the method involves using examples of a patient repositioning apparatus and the corresponding equipment (e.g., lifting mechanisms, resting structures, wedges, etc.) as disclosed herein, each of the aforementioned method steps would at least be available options. 
     Uses of singular terms such as “a,” “an,” are intended to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms. Any description of certain embodiments as “preferred” embodiments, and other recitation of embodiments, features, or ranges as being preferred, or suggestion that such are preferred, is not deemed to be limiting. The invention is deemed to encompass embodiments that are presently deemed to be less preferred and that may be described herein as such. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended to illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention. Any statement herein as to the nature or benefits of the invention or of the preferred embodiments is not intended to be limiting. This invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited herein as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. No unclaimed language should be deemed to limit the invention in scope. Any statements or suggestions herein that certain features constitute a component of the claimed invention are not intended to be limiting unless reflected in the appended claims. Neither the marking of the patent number on any product nor the identification of the patent number in connection with any service should be deemed a representation that all embodiments described herein are incorporated into such product or service.