Method and apparatus for maintaining a patient in a prone position to improve respiration

Abstract

An apparatus and method for maintaining a patient in the prone position while maintaining access to the patient's oral airway. The apparatus includes a body portion which in turn has a plurality of segments, each of which may accommodate a number of inserts therein as determined by the relative size of the patient. The segments may be selectively joined together approximately midway along the body portion and the inserts disposed therein may be independently adjusted so as to raise the patient's chest and hips off of a surface. The distal ends of the same segments may also be joined together to further form a head rest which maintains the patient's head and face off of the surface, thereby permitting access to the patient's oral airway even when the patient is lying face down. The inserts are removable and may be stored separately from the body portion when not in use.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.