# US 2009/0260639 A1 · Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Sores Using Inflatable Devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260639 A1 - Document ID: US20090260639A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/427,679 - Filed: 2009-04-21 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-22 - Inventors: Charles Hsu; Chienlan Hsu; Kenton Fong - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260639A1 ## CPC - A61H 9/0078: {with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs (mattresses for preventing bed-sores with alternated pressurized chambers A61G7/05776)} - A61F 13/00051: {Accessories for dressings} - A61F 13/0213: {the fluid retention member being a layer of hydrocolloid, gel forming material} - A61F 13/0226: {characterised by the support layer} - A61G 7/05769: {with inflatable chambers} - A61F 13/069: {Decubitus ulcer bandages} - A61F 2013/15024: {for protecting the body against ulcers} - A61G 7/065: Rests specially adapted therefor - A61G 7/072: {for the head only} - A61G 7/0755: {for the legs or feet} - A61H 2201/0134: Cushion or similar support - A61H 2201/1609: Neck - A61H 2201/164: Feet or leg, e.g. pedal - A61H 2201/165: Wearable interfaces - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61G: TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS (appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk A61H3/00); OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES (embalming corpses A01N1/00) ## Abstract An inflatable device to be positioned between a body portion and an underlying surface includes one or more inflatable cells. In some embodiments, the inflatable device also includes a dressing, attached to the one or more inflatable cells, to be secured to a patient's skin. In some embodiments, the inflatable device also includes an adhesive to secure the one or more inflatable cells to a patient's skin. The inflatable device is secured to the body portion, coupled to a pump, and repeatedly inflated and deflated. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An inflatable device to be positioned between a body portion and an underlying surface, comprising: one or more inflatable cells; and a dressing, attached to the one or more inflatable cells, to be secured to a patient's skin. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the dressing is integrated into a surface of the one or more inflatable cells. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the dressing comprises a hydrocolloid material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, comprising an adhesive to attach the dressing to the patient's skin. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the dressing comprises a moisture-absorbent material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the dressing comprises a breathable material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive to secure the dressing to the patient's skin. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, further comprising: an attachment to couple the one or more inflatable cells to tubing for inflating and deflating the one or more inflatable cells. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, further comprising: a marking to be aligned to an area of treatment on the patient's skin. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, further comprising: a removable sheet having a marking to be aligned to an area of treatment on the patient's skin. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, comprising: an inelastic base attached to the one or more inflatable cells, wherein the dressing is attached to the inelastic base. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The inflatable device of claim 11, wherein the one or more inflatable cells comprise an elastic surface configured to flatten smoothly against the inelastic base upon deflation of the one or more inflatable cells. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, comprising: an inelastic material forming a first surface of the one or more inflatable cells. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The inflatable device of claim 13, further comprising: an elastic material, forming a second surface of the one or more inflatable cells, configured to flatten smoothly against the inelastic first surface upon deflation of the one or more inflatable cells. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the one or more inflatable cells are configured to elevate a specific part of the patient's body when inflated. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The inflatable device of claim 15, wherein the one or more inflatable cells are configured to fit contours of tissue surrounding an area at risk of pressure sore formation. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the one or more inflatable cells have a horseshoe-shaped configuration. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the one or more inflatable cells have an “H” shape. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the one or more inflatable cells comprise: a central portion; and a first pair of protruding portions extending outward from the central portion in a first direction on both sides of a longitudinal axis; and ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The inflatable device of claim 19, wherein the one or more inflatable cells further comprise: a second pair of protruding portions extending outward from the central portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction on both sides of the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The inflatable device of claim 20, wherein the central portion has a width of 5 inches or less when deflated. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the one or more inflatable cells have a crescent-shaped configuration. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, further comprising: a sequential compression device coupled to the one or more inflatable cells, the one or more inflatable cells configured to extend outward from the sequential compression device. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The inflatable device of claim 23, wherein: the sequential compression device is configured to receive the patient's leg; and the one or more inflatable cells are configured to extend distally beyond the sequential compression device to elevate the patient's heel when inflated. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein: the one or more inflatable cells are configured when inflated to at least partially surround a portion of the patient's skin but not to cover the portion of the patient's skin that is at least partially surrounded. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The inflatable device of claim 25, wherein: the dressing is configured to cover the portion of the patient's skin that is at least partially surrounded. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the dressing is detachable from the one or more inflatable cells. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The inflatable device of claim 27, comprising hook-and-loop material to detachably couple the one or more inflatable cells to the dressing. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The inflatable device of claim 27, wherein the dressing is disposable. ### Claim 30 (depends on 27) The inflatable device of claim 27, comprising an adhesive to attach the dressing to the patient's skin, wherein the dressing is configured to detach from the one or more inflatable cells in response to an applied force less than a force required to detach the adhesive from the patient's skin. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The inflatable device of claim 30, wherein the dressing includes the adhesive. ### Claim 32 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the dressing comprises skin moisturizer to moisturize the patient's skin. ### Claim 33 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the dressing comprises: an outer layer of moisture-wicking material. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The inflatable device of claim 33, wherein the dressing further comprises: an absorbent layer adjacent to the outer layer of moisture-wicking material. ### Claim 35 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, wherein a surface of the one or more inflatable cells includes a plurality of holes to provide airflow through the surface when the one or more inflatable cells are inflated. ### Claim 36 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, the dressing having a first side to be positioned against the patient's skin and a second side opposite to the first side, the inflatable device further comprising: a connective material to connect the one or more inflatable cells to the second side of the dressing; wherein the second side of the dressing comprises a first area in contact with the connective material and a second area, between the first area and an edge of the dressing, that is not in contact with the connective material. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The inflatable device of claim 36, wherein the second area has a width between the first area and the edge of the dressing of at least 1 cm. ### Claim 38 (depends on 36) The inflatable device of claim 36, wherein the second area has a width between the first area and the edge of the dressing of 2 to 4 cm. ### Claim 39 (depends on 36) The inflatable device of claim 36, wherein the second area has sufficient width to attach an external dressing to the inflatable device. ### Claim 40 (depends on 36) The inflatable device of claim 36, wherein the second area includes a zipper to attach an external dressing to the inflatable device. ### Claim 41 (depends on 36) The inflatable device of claim 36, wherein the second area includes a groove of a rib-and-grove connector to attach an external dressing to the inflatable device. ### Claim 42 (depends on 36) The inflatable device of claim 36, wherein the connective material comprises hook-and-loop material. ### Claim 43 (depends on 36) The inflatable device of claim 36, wherein the connective material comprises an adhesive. ### Claim 44 (depends on 1) The inflatable device of claim 1, the dressing having a first side to be positioned against the patient's skin and a second side opposite to the first side, the one or more inflatable cells including an elastic surface, the inflatable device further comprising: a connective material to connect the elastic surface of the one or more inflatable cells to the second side of the dressing, the connective material having a width that substantially minimizes curling the dressing upon inflation of the one or more inflatable cells. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The inflatable device of claim 44, wherein the dressing has a width of at least 2 inches and the connective material has a width of no more than 1 inch. ### Claim 46 A system to provide pressure relief to a portion of a patient's body, comprising: an inflatable component to be positioned between a body portion and an underlying surface, the inflatable component comprising: one or more inflatable cells, and a dressing, attached to the one or more inflatable cells, to be secured to a patient's skin; tubing coupled to the one or more inflatable cells; and a pump, coupled to the tubing, to inflate the one or more inflatable cells. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) The system of claim 46, wherein the pump is configured to alternately inflate and deflate the one or more inflatable cells. ### Claim 48 (depends on 46) The system of claim 46, wherein the pump is integrated with a negative-pressure wound therapy system. ### Claim 49 A method of providing pressure relief for a body part, comprising: securing an inflatable device to a body portion of a patient, the inflatable device comprising one or more inflatable cells and a dressing attached to the one or more inflatable cells, the securing including placing the dressing on the patient's skin; coupling the inflatable device to a pump; and repeatedly inflating and deflating the inflatable device while secured to the body portion. ### Claim 50 An inflatable device to be positioned between a body portion and an underlying surface, comprising: one or more inflatable cells; and an adhesive to secure the one or more inflatable cells to a patient's skin. ### Claim 51 An inflatable device to provide pressure relief to a body part, comprising: one or more inflatable cells; a bottom elastic surface to be positioned against an underlying support and configured to expand when the one or more inflatable cells are inflated and to contract when the one or more inflatable cells are deflated; and a top inelastic surface to be secured to a portion of a patient's body. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) The inflatable device of claim 51, when the inelastic surface comprises an adhesive to attach the inelastic surface to the patient. ### Claim 53 (depends on 51) The inflatable device of claim 51, when the elastic surface is configured to flatten smoothly against the underlying support when the one or more inflatable cells are deflated. ### Claim 54 (depends on 51) The inflatable device of claim 51, wherein the one or more inflatable cells include first and second independently inflatable cells. ### Claim 55 (depends on 51) The inflatable device of claim 51, when the inelastic surface comprises a dressing. ### Claim 56 A method of providing pressure relief to a body part, comprising: securing an inflatable device to a body portion of a patient, the inflatable device comprising one or more inflatable cells, a bottom elastic surface, and a top inelastic surface, the securing including positioning the top inelastic surface under the body portion; coupling the inflatable device to a pump; and repeatedly inflating and deflating the inflatable device while the top inelastic surface remains positioned under the body portion. ### Claim 57 (depends on 56) The method of claim 56, wherein the one or more inflatable cells include first and second independently inflatable cells, the method further comprising: inflating the first inflatable cell when the second inflatable cell is deflated, to tilt the patient.