Patient support

A patient support device, comprising:

• at least one unit having at least one large inflatable pouch (30) and at least one small inflatable pouch (32), the large and small inflatable pouches (30,32) spaced apart sufficiently to provide an area for at least a portion of the patient's body and being connected together by a track (34) defining a substantially free air flow between them, such that the large and small pouches may be inflated substantially simultaneously upon introduction of air into the unit, the unit being arranged to act in its inflated condition such that the large pouch lifts the patient and the small pouch provides support.

A patient support device comprising:

• two units, each unit comprising a large inflatable pouch (30) and a small inflatable pouch (32), the large and small inflatable pouches (30,32) of each unit being connected together by a track (34) defining a substantially free air flow between them, and defining a space or area between them where a patient is intended to be positioned, in use, such that the large and small pouches (30, 32) of each unit may be inflated substantially simultaneously upon introduction of air into the unit.
• the unit being arranged to act in its inflated condition such that the large pouch lifts the patient and the small pouch provides support,
• the units being arranged such that the respective large pouches are in opposed configuration, and wherein said units are inflatable independently of one another.

A method of supporting a human or animal body, the method comprising:

• positioning the body in a prone, supine or lateral position on a support structure, the support structure having at least one unit having at least one large inflatable pouch (30) and at least one small inflatable pouch (32), spaced apart sufficiently to provide an area for at least a portion of the body, the large and small inflatable pouches (30,32) being connected together by a track (34) defining a substantially free air flow between them, the body being positioned in the area between the large and small inflatable pouches (30,32) of the support structure;
• and
• initiating gas supply means to supply gas to inflate the large and small inflatable pouches (30,32) substantially simultaneously in order that the inflated large pouch (30) lifts the body and moves the body from the initial position into a different desired orientation, and the inflated small pouch (32) supports the body.