System for raising a patient, the system comprising: at least one jack element (4c,4b-1), comprising: a body having a predetermined perimeter shape and defining a perimeter chamber and a central chamber; a valve coupled to the body and configured to provide air flow to the perimeter chamber and the central chamber; a plurality of flow control stringers (22,24) located between the perimeter chamber and the central chamber, wherein the plurality of flow control stringers (22,24) are configured to control an air flow rate into the central chamber; at least one fastener (26a,26b) on the body and configured to attach the jack element to at least one additional jack element (4b-2) in a multi-cell stack; wherein the perimeter chamber is configured to inflate prior to inflation of the central chamber, when air flow from an air source is provided through the valve; and the plurality of flow control stringers (22,24) are configured to provide inflation of a proximal portion of the central chamber prior to inflation of a distal portion of the central chamber; and wherein the predetermined perimeter shape of the body is selected from the group consisting of a diamond shape, a saddle shape, and a bike-seat shape; the plurality of flow control stringers (22,24) comprises a perimeter stringer defining a shape similar to the perimeter shape of the body and at least one lateral flow control stringer (24a to 24d) positioned within an interior volume defined by the perimeter stringer; the perimeter stringer includes at least one opening as a lengthwise slit. at least one jack element (4c,4b-1), comprising: a body having a predetermined perimeter shape and defining a perimeter chamber and a central chamber; a valve coupled to the body and configured to provide air flow to the perimeter chamber and the central chamber; a plurality of flow control stringers (22,24) located between the perimeter chamber and the central chamber, wherein the plurality of flow control stringers (22,24) are configured to control an air flow rate into the central chamber; at least one fastener (26a,26b) on the body and configured to attach the jack element to at least one additional jack element (4b-2) in a multi-cell stack; a body having a predetermined perimeter shape and defining a perimeter chamber and a central chamber; a valve coupled to the body and configured to provide air flow to the perimeter chamber and the central chamber; a plurality of flow control stringers (22,24) located between the perimeter chamber and the central chamber, wherein the plurality of flow control stringers (22,24) are configured to control an air flow rate into the central chamber; at least one fastener (26a,26b) on the body and configured to attach the jack element to at least one additional jack element (4b-2) in a multi-cell stack; wherein the perimeter chamber is configured to inflate prior to inflation of the central chamber, when air flow from an air source is provided through the valve; and the plurality of flow control stringers (22,24) are configured to provide inflation of a proximal portion of the central chamber prior to inflation of a distal portion of the central chamber; and wherein the predetermined perimeter shape of the body is selected from the group consisting of a diamond shape, a saddle shape, and a bike-seat shape; the plurality of flow control stringers (22,24) comprises a perimeter stringer defining a shape similar to the perimeter shape of the body and at least one lateral flow control stringer (24a to 24d) positioned within an interior volume defined by the perimeter stringer; the perimeter stringer includes at least one opening as a lengthwise slit.