Mattress cover apparatus having X-ray cassette receptacle and method

A protection cover of a main support element of a cushion or a mattress type, on which at least a part of a body of a patient to be radiographed is intended to rest, said protection cover comprising

• at least an upper part that is substantially flat when placed so as to cover an upper surface of said main support element,
• an internal pocket extending underneath said upper part of the cover, the internal pocket being provided within a tubular sheath having an upper layer of material and a lower layer of material, the tubular sheath being fastened to the upper part, the internal pocket being suitable for containing a radiography cassette, said internal pocket comprising at least one opening in the tubular sheath for introducing the radiography cassette, the at least one opening being located adjacent at least one lateral edge of the cover near the a longitudinal edge of said upper part, the internal pocket extending over about half the overall length of the main support part such that the internal pocket is sufficiently larger than the radiography cassette to allow repositioning of the radiography cassette relative to the internal pocket, and
• a secondary support element, not as thick as said main support element, integral with said cover, positioned between said internal pocket and said upper part and covering at least said internal pocket, wherein said secondary support element comprises inflatable cells that are filled with air, the cells of said secondary support element having a cross-section reduced relative to a cross-section of said main support element.