Patient transfer device having inclined upper surface

A patient transfer device comprising:

• a transfer mattress including top and bottom sheets and an inflatable plenum, the transfer mattress adapted to create a cushion of air beneath the bottom sheet when the plenum is inflated to facilitate sliding movement of the mattress with respect to an underlying support surface;
• a torso and head support accessory releasably attached to the transfer mattress, the accessory including an upper torso support having an inflatable chamber and a head support having an inflatable chamber, the head support chamber located on an upper surface of the upper torso support chamber,
• the upper torso support of the accessory having an upper surface that is inclined with respect to the underlying support surface when the torso support chamber is inflated such that a patient's torso is elevated with respect to the patient's lower torso and legs;
• the torso support chamber and head support chamber of the defining interiors that are separated from each other to provide for independent inflation independent inflation of the respective chambers;
• an inlet tube connected to each of the torso support chamber and the head support chamber for delivery of pressurized air to the associated chamber for inflation of the chamber;
• a source of pressurized air;
• a distribution manifold operably connected to the source of pressurized air for receiving pressurized air, the distribution manifold including first and second valves each connected to one of the inlet tubes for controlled delivery of pressurized air to the associated chamber;
• and
• a controller connected to the distribution manifold, the controller adapted to control the operation of the valves for independent inflation of the torso support chamber and the head support chamber.