US 12,220,366 B2
Apparatus and system for boosting, transferring, turning and positioning a patient
Michael J. Rigoni, Cary, IL (US); and Paul M. Fowler, Cary, IL (US)
Assigned to Sage Products, LLC, Cary, IL (US)
Filed by Sage Products, LLC, Cary, IL (US)
Filed on Jul. 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/220,639.
Application 18/220,639 is a continuation of application No. 16/790,996, filed on Feb. 14, 2020, granted, now 11,696,862.
Application 16/790,996 is a continuation of application No. 16/119,811, filed on Aug. 31, 2018, granted, now 10,561,556.
Application 16/119,811 is a continuation of application No. 15/783,494, filed on Oct. 13, 2017, granted, now 10,064,773.
Application 15/783,494 is a continuation of application No. 14/829,361, filed on Aug. 18, 2015, granted, now 9,849,053.
Prior Publication US 2023/0346617 A1, Nov. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. A61G 7/10 (2006.01); A61F 13/15 (2006.01); A61G 1/01 (2006.01); A61G 7/00 (2006.01); A61G 7/057 (2006.01); F16K 15/20 (2006.01)
CPC A61G 7/1028 (2013.01) [A61G 1/01 (2013.01); A61G 7/001 (2013.01); A61G 7/05715 (2013.01); A61G 7/05769 (2013.01); F16K 15/20 (2013.01); A61F 2013/15154 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An inflatable patient transfer device comprising:
a top sheet;
a bottom sheet coupled to the top sheet along a peripheral edge of the inflatable patient transfer device, the bottom sheet cooperating with the top sheet to form a cavity;
a first port in fluid communication with the cavity and an exterior of the inflatable patient transfer device;
a first valve comprising:
a first pocket located in the cavity, the first pocket having a first branch and a second branch, the first pocket formed by a first layer of material and a second layer of material, the first pocket comprising:
a first entrance opening coupled to the first port at a first end of the first pocket, the first entrance opening being in fluid communication with the first port, and
a first exit opening at a second end of the first pocket, the first exit opening being in fluid communication with the cavity, the first exit opening being a first aperture formed in at least one of the first layer of material or the second layer of material of the first branch,
wherein the second end of the first pocket is not directly coupled to the bottom sheet;
a second port in fluid communication with the cavity and with the exterior of the inflatable patient transfer device; and
a second valve comprising:
a second pocket located in the cavity, the second pocket formed by a third layer of material and a fourth layer of material, the second pocket comprising:
a second entrance opening coupled to the second port at a first end of the second pocket, the second entrance opening being in fluid communication with the second port, and
a second exit opening at a second end of the second pocket, the second exit opening being in fluid communication with the cavity, the second exit opening being a second aperture formed in at least one of the third layer or the fourth layer of material,
wherein the second end of the second pocket is not directly coupled to the bottom sheet; and
wherein the first pocket is configured to compress when airflow is not provided into the first entrance opening such that airflow from the cavity into the first exit opening is resisted or prevented when the first pocket is compressed; and
wherein the second pocket is configured to compress when airflow is not provided into the second entrance opening such that airflow from the cavity into the second exit opening is resisted or prevented when the second pocket is compressed.