U.S. patent application number 13/455196 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-25 for medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation on obese patient.
Invention is credited to Kaiduan Pi.
Application Number | 20120266383 13/455196 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47020120 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120266383 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pi; Kaiduan |
October 25, 2012 |
Medical Support Pillow for Facilitating Tracheal Intubation on
Obese Patient
Abstract
A medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation on
obese patient comprises a base section, an upper pad, a left arm
rest, and a right arm rest. The base section comprises a head
section, a back section, and an indentation. The head section and
the back section are connected to each other, and the indentation
is positioned in between the head section and the back section. The
upper pad is positioned within the head section and it can be
rotated within the head section. An obese patient is able to
position his or her head and neck within the head section and the
indentation. Positioning of the medical support pillow allows easy
ventilation and intubation on an obese patient as it effectively
raises the patient's head and neck above the chest and creates the
head in fully stable extension position.
Inventors: |
Pi; Kaiduan; (Coram,
NY) |
Family ID: |
47020120 |
Appl. No.: |
13/455196 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61478550 |
Apr 25, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/632 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 13/1215 20130101;
A61G 2200/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/632 |
International
Class: |
A47C 20/00 20060101
A47C020/00 |
Claims
1. A medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation on
obese patient comprises, a base section; an upper pad; a left arm
rest; a right arm rest; the base section comprises a head section,
a back section, a bottom surface, and an indentation; the upper pad
comprises a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a
back panel, a concave panel, and an upper pad cavity; the head
section being adjacently positioned above the back section; the
bottom surface being positioned below the head section and the back
section; the indentation being centrally positioned between the
head section and the back section opposite from the bottom surface;
the upper pad being positioned on the head section; and the left
arm rest and the right arm rest being oppositely located below the
head section.
2. The medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation
on obese patient as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the top panel
being located parallel with the bottom surface; the back panel
being perpendicularly positioned with the top panel; the first side
panel being perpendicularly positioned with the back panel and the
top panel from an end; the second side panel being perpendicularly
positioned with the back panel and the top panel and oppositely
located from the first side panel; the concave panel being
positioned with the first side panel and the second side panel and
located below the top panel; and the upper pad cavity being
centrally positioned on the top panel.
3. The medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation
on obese patient as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the head section
comprises a first side surface, a second side surface, a back
surface, a concave surface, and a base cavity; the first side
surface being oppositely located from the second side surface; the
first side surface and the second side surface being
perpendicularly positioned with the bottom surface; the back
surface being oppositely located from the back section; the back
surface being perpendicularly positioned with the first side
surface and the second side surface; the concave surface being
oppositely located from the bottom surface; the concave surface
being perpendicularly positioned with the first side surface and
the second side surface; and the base cavity being centrally
positioned on the concave surface.
4. The medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation
on obese patient as claimed in claim 3 comprises, the first side
surface being positioned parallel with the first side panel; and
the second side surface being positioned parallel with the second
side panel.
5. The medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation
on obese patient as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the back section
comprises a third side surface, a third side surface, a front
surface, and an inclined surface; the third side surface being
oppositely located from the fourth side surface; the third side
surface and the fourth side surface being perpendicularly
positioned with the bottom surface; the front surface being
oppositely located from the head section; the front surface being
angularly positioned with the third side surface and the fourth
side surface; the inclined surface being oppositely located from
the bottom surface; and the inclined surface being perpendicularly
positioned with the third side surface and the fourth side
surface.
6. The medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation
on obese patient as claimed in claim 5 comprises, the third side
surface and the fourth side surface comprises an upper end portion
and lower end portion; and the inclined surface being extended from
the lower end portion to upper end portion.
7. The medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation
on obese patient as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the right arm
rest being adjacently located with the first side panel; and the
left arm rest being adjacently located with the second side
panel.
8. The medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation
on obese patient as claimed in claim 7 comprises, the left arm rest
and the right arm rest each comprises an arm channel, a first pair
of sidewalls, a second pair of sidewalls, a top wall, and a bottom
wall; the first pair of sidewalls being oppositely positioned from
each other; the second pair of sidewalls being oppositely
positioned from each other; the first pair of sidewalls being
perpendicularly positioned with the second pair of sidewalls; the
top wall being positioned with the first pair of sidewalls and the
second pair of sidewalls from above; the bottom wall being
positioned with the first pair of sidewalls and the second pair of
sidewalls from below; and the arm channel being centrally
positioned on the top panel between the first pair of
sidewalls.
9. A medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation on
obese patient comprises, a base section; an upper pad; a left arm
rest; a right arm rest; the base section comprises a head section,
a back section, a bottom surface, and an indentation; the upper pad
comprises a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a
back panel, a concave panel, and an upper pad cavity; the head
section being adjacently positioned above the back section; the
bottom surface being positioned below the head section and the back
section; the indentation being centrally positioned between the
head section and the back section opposite from the bottom surface;
the upper pad being positioned on the head section; the left arm
rest and the right arm rest being oppositely located below the head
section; the right arm rest being adjacently located with the first
side panel; and the left arm rest being adjacently located with the
second side panel.
10. The medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation
on obese patient as claimed in claim 9 comprises, the top panel
being located parallel with the bottom surface; the back panel
being perpendicularly positioned with the top panel; the first side
panel being perpendicularly positioned with the back panel and the
top panel from an end; the second side panel being perpendicularly
positioned with the back panel and the top panel and oppositely
located from the first side panel; the concave panel being
positioned with the first side panel and the second side panel and
located below the top panel; and the upper pad cavity being
centrally positioned on the top panel.
11. The medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation
on obese patient as claimed in claim 9 comprises, the head section
comprises a first side surface, a second side surface, a back
surface, a concave surface, and a base cavity; the first side
surface being oppositely located from the second side surface; the
first side surface and the second side surface being
perpendicularly positioned with the bottom surface; the back
surface being oppositely located from the back section; the back
surface being perpendicularly positioned with the first side
surface and the second side surface; the concave surface being
oppositely located from the bottom surface; the concave surface
being perpendicularly positioned with the first side surface and
the second side surface; and the base cavity being centrally
positioned on the concave surface.
12. The medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation
on obese patient as claimed in claim 11 comprises, the first side
surface being positioned parallel with the first side panel; and
the second side surface being positioned parallel with the second
side panel.
13. The medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation
on obese patient as claimed in claim 9 comprises, the back section
comprises a third side surface, a third side surface, a front
surface, and an inclined surface; the third side surface being
oppositely located from the fourth side surface; the third side
surface and the fourth side surface being perpendicularly
positioned with the bottom surface; the front surface being
oppositely located from the head section; the front surface being
angularly positioned with the third side surface and the fourth
side surface; the inclined surface being oppositely located from
the bottom surface; and the inclined surface being perpendicularly
positioned with the third side surface and the fourth side
surface.
14. The medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation
on obese patient as claimed in claim 13 comprises, the third side
surface and the fourth side surface comprises an upper end portion
and lower end portion; and the inclined surface being extended from
the lower end portion to upper end portion.
15. The medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation
on obese patient as claimed in claim 9 comprises, the left arm rest
and the right arm rest each comprises an arm channel, a first pair
of sidewalls, a second pair of sidewalls, a top wall, and a bottom
wall; the first pair of sidewalls being oppositely positioned from
each other; the second pair of sidewalls being oppositely
positioned from each other; the first pair of sidewalls being
perpendicularly positioned with the second pair of sidewalls; the
top wall being positioned with the first pair of sidewalls and the
second pair of sidewalls from above; the bottom wall being
positioned with the first pair of sidewalls and the second pair of
sidewalls from below; and the arm channel being centrally
positioned on the top panel between the first pair of
sidewalls.
16. A medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation
on obese patient comprises, a base section; an upper pad; a left
arm rest; a right arm rest; the base section comprises a head
section, a back section, a bottom surface, and an indentation; the
upper pad comprises a top panel, a first side panel, a second side
panel, a back panel, a concave panel, and an upper pad cavity; the
head section being adjacently positioned above the back section;
the bottom surface being positioned below the head section and the
back section; the indentation being centrally positioned between
the head section and the back section opposite from the bottom
surface; the upper pad being positioned on the head section; the
left arm rest and the right arm rest being oppositely located below
the head section; the right arm rest being adjacently located with
the first side panel; and the left arm rest being adjacently
located with the second side panel.
17. The medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation
on obese patient as claimed in claim 16 comprises, the top panel
being located parallel with the bottom surface; the back panel
being perpendicularly positioned with the top panel; the first side
panel being perpendicularly positioned with the back panel and the
top panel from an end; the second side panel being perpendicularly
positioned with the back panel and the top panel and oppositely
located from the first side panel; the concave panel being
positioned with the first side panel and the second side panel and
located below the top panel; and the upper pad cavity being
centrally positioned on the top panel.
18. The medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation
on obese patient as claimed in claim 16 comprises, the head section
comprises a first side surface, a second side surface, a back
surface, a concave surface, and a base cavity; the first side
surface being oppositely located from the second side surface; the
first side surface and the second side surface being
perpendicularly positioned with the bottom surface; the back
surface being oppositely located from the back section; the back
surface being perpendicularly positioned with the first side
surface and the second side surface; the concave surface being
oppositely located from the bottom surface; the concave surface
being perpendicularly positioned with the first side surface and
the second side surface; the base cavity being centrally positioned
on the concave surface; the first side surface being positioned
parallel with the first side panel; and the second side surface
being positioned parallel with the second side panel.
19. The medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation
on obese patient as claimed in claim 16 comprises, the back section
comprises a third side surface, a third side surface, a front
surface, and an inclined surface; the third side surface being
oppositely located from the fourth side surface; the third side
surface and the fourth side surface being perpendicularly
positioned with the bottom surface; the front surface being
oppositely located from the head section; the front surface being
angularly positioned with the third side surface and the fourth
side surface; the inclined surface being oppositely located from
the bottom surface; the inclined surface being perpendicularly
positioned with the third side surface and the fourth side surface;
the third side surface and the fourth side surface comprises an
upper end portion and lower end portion; and the inclined surface
being extended from the lower end portion to upper end portion.
20. The medical support pillow for facilitating tracheal intubation
on obese patient as claimed in claim 16 comprises, the left arm
rest and the right arm rest each comprises an arm channel, a first
pair of sidewalls, a second pair of sidewalls, a top wall, and a
bottom wall; the first pair of sidewalls being oppositely
positioned from each other; the second pair of sidewalls being
oppositely positioned from each other; the first pair of sidewalls
being perpendicularly positioned with the second pair of sidewalls;
the top wall being positioned with the first pair of sidewalls and
the second pair of sidewalls from above; the bottom wall being
positioned with the first pair of sidewalls and the second pair of
sidewalls from below; and the arm channel being centrally
positioned on the top panel between the first pair of sidewalls.
Description
[0001] The current application claims a priority to the U.S.
Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/478,550 filed on Apr.
25, 2011.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus
which raises an obese patient's head and neck above the thorax and
creates an ideal position for ventilation and intubation. The ideal
position fully extends the obese patient's neck in backward so that
easy ventilation and intubation can be performed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention is an improvement of the U.S. Pat. No.
6,446,288, and the present invention includes additional components
and specifically designs for obese patients. According to the
National Center for Health, obesity is increasing greatly in the
United States. 63% of Americans are overweight with a BMI (body
mass index) over 25.0; 31% are obese with a BMI of over 30.0; 3.8
million people have a body weight over 300 pounds. As the
population of obese people increase, the amount of surgeries
related to the obese population are also increasing. According to
the text book of Clinical Anesthesia: "The obese patient may need
further positioning to move the mass of the chest away from the
plane across which the laryngoscope handle will sweep as it is
manipulated into the mouth. This may require placing a wedge-shaped
lift (e.g., blankets, pillows) under the scapula, shoulders, and
nape of neck, raising the head and the neck above the thorax and
providing a grade to allow gravity to take the mass away from the
airway". Positioning the obese patient with a roll under the
scapulas and an occipital rest and asking the obese patient to
fully extend the atlanto-occipital joint before induction may
facilitate awake or conventional laryngoscopy and intubation. The
present invention effectively raises the obese patient's head and
neck above the thorax and maintains the patient's head and neck in
a stable extended position, which is also known as the sniff
position. The present invention facilitates mask ventilation,
direct laryngoscopy, insertion of laryngeal mask and fiberoptic
bronchoscope-aided intubation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating the required first head
position for intubation.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the required second head
position for intubation.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the required third head
position for intubation.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the base section and upper
pad.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the base section.
[0009] FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of the base section.
[0010] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the upper pad.
[0011] FIG. 8 is a back perspective view of the upper pad.
[0012] FIG. 9 is a side view of the base section and the upper pad
configured to position a patient's head in a normal position.
[0013] FIG. 10 is a side view of the base section and the upper pad
configured to position the patient's head in a sniff position.
[0014] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the base section and upper
pad, where the upper pad is rotated within the head section.
[0015] FIG. 12 is a side view of the base section and the rotated
upper pad configured to position the patient's head.
[0016] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the right arm rest.
[0017] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the left arm rest.
[0018] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 16 is a side view of the present invention, without the
upper pad, where the base section and the right arm rest are
configured to the patient's head and right arm.
[0020] FIG. 17 is a top view of the present invention where the
base section, the right arm rest, and left arm rest are
respectively configured to the patient's head, right arm, and left
arm in a ninety degree abduction position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
[0021] All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of
describing selected versions of the present invention and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
[0022] Proper alignment of the airway between the mouth and the
rima glottidis allows easy intubation of the patients. In order to
achieve successful direct laryngoscopy in the patients, an oral
axis 5, a pharyngeal axis 6, and a laryngeal axis 7 must be
aligned. In reference to FIG. 1, when a patient is laid on a
surgical bed, the oral axis 5, the pharyngeal axis 6, and the
laryngeal axis 7 are not aligned due to the forward positioning of
the head. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a pad or pillow is placed
under the patient's head so that the pharyngeal axis 6 and the
laryngeal axis 7 can be aligned. Then the patient's head is
extended at the atlanto-occipital joint so that the oral axis 5
aligns with the pharyngeal axis 6 and the laryngeal axis 7, as they
may provide the shortest distance from the mouth to the rima
glottidis. Since the patient is in an unconscious stage, the
extension of the patient's head to the sniff position can be
difficult to achieved. In order to stabilize the patient's head at
the sniff position, extra precautions must be implemented, such as
placing additional padding under the neck or holding the head in
the extended position with the help of an assistant. The direct
laryngoscopy of an obese patient is much harder to perform compared
to the direct laryngoscopy of a regular patient due to the obese
patient's challenging airway anatomy. The present invention
effectively raises the head and neck of the obese patient above the
obese patient's thorax and provides a inclining grade. The
inclining grade allows gravity to eliminate the mass of the chest
away from the airway and the obese patient's upper abdomen away
from the diaphragm. In addition, the bilateral chest wall of the
obese patient drops down and the upper airway becomes more
isolated. In addition to elevation of the head, neck and upper
chest, the present invention also creates the sniff position in
which the obese patient's head is fully extended at the
Atlanta-occipital joint and the airway is maximally opened.
[0023] The present invention effortlessly aligns the oral axis 5,
the pharyngeal axis 6, and the laryngeal axis 7 of the obese
patient so that the intubation can be take placed in a safe manner.
In reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the present invention comprises
a base section 1, an upper pad 2, a left arm rest 3, and a right
arm rest 4. The base section 1 comprises a head section 11, a back
section 12, a bottom surface 15, and an indentation 16. The head
section 11 is positioned above the back section 12, and the bottom
surface 15 is positioned below the head section 11 and back section
12. The indentation 16 is centrally positioned in between the head
section 11 and the back section 12.
[0024] In reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the head section 11
comprises a first side surface 111, a second side surface 112, a
back surface 113, a concave surface 114, and a base cavity 115. The
first side surface 111 and the second side surface 112 are
oppositely positioned from each other. The bottom surface 15 is
perpendicularly positioned with the first side surface 111 and the
second side surface 112 from below. The first side surface 111 and
the second side surface 112 have an upper segment and a lower
segment, where the upper segment's height is higher than the lower
segment's height. The upper segment is positioned with the back
section 12, and the back surface 113 is perpendicularly positioned
with the lower segment. The concave surface 114 is positioned with
the first side surface 111 and the second side surface 112, but the
concave surface 114 is oppositely positioned from the bottom
surface 15. The base cavity 115 is centrally positioned on the
concave surface 114. The head section 11 has a width W1 and a
length L1. In a preferred embodiment, the width W1 is about 20
centimeters and the length L1 is about 24 centimeters. The lower
segment has a height H1 and the upper segment has a height H2. In
the preferred embodiment, the height H1 is about 12 centimeters and
the height H2 is about 20 centimeters. The base cavity 115 has a
diameter D1, and in the preferred embodiment, the diameter D1 is
about 10 centimeters.
[0025] The back section 12 comprises a third side surface 121, a
fourth side surface 122, a front surface 123, and an inclined
surface 124. The third side surface 121 and the fourth side surface
122 are oppositely positioned from each other. The bottom surface
15 is perpendicularly positioned with the third side surface 121
and the fourth side surface 122 from below. The third side surface
121 and the fourth side surface 122 have an upper end portion 13
and a lower end portion 14, where the upper end portion's 13 height
is higher than the lower end portion's 14 height. The upper end
portion 13 is positioned with the head section 11, and the front
surface 123 is angularly positioned with the lower end portion 14.
The inclined surface 124 is positioned with the first side surface
111 and the second side surface 112, and the inclined surface 124
is oppositely positioned from the bottom surface 15. The inclined
surface 124 extends from the lower end portion 14 to upper end
portion 13. The back section 12 has a width W2 and a length L2. In
the preferred embodiment, the width W2 is about 40 centimeters and
the length L2 is about 45 centimeters. The upper end portion 13 has
a height H3, and the front surface 123 has a width W3. The length
of the front surface 123 is same as the length L2, and the height
H3 is also equal to the height H2. In the preferred embodiment, the
height H3 is about 20 centimeters and the width W3 is about 1
centimeter.
[0026] In reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the upper pad 2 comprises
a top panel 21, a first side panel 22, a second side panel 23, a
back panel 24, a concave panel 25, and an upper pad cavity 26. The
first side panel 22 and the second side panel 23 are oppositely
positioned from each other. A horizontal portion of the first side
panel 22 and the second side panel 23 is perpendicularly positioned
with the top panel 21, and a vertical portion of the first side
panel 22 and the second side panel 23 is positioned with the back
panel 24. The back panel 24 is also perpendicularly positioned with
the top panel 21. The concave panel 25 is positioned under the
first side panel 22 and the second side panel 23, and extends from
the top panel 21 to the back panel 24. The upper pad cavity 26 is
centrally positioned on the top panel 21 and has a diameter D2
which is equal to the diameter D1. The upper pad 2 has a length L4,
a width W4, and a height H4. In the preferred embodiment, the
length L4 is about 24 centimeters, the width W4 is about 18
centimeters, and the height H4 is about 8 centimeters. The height
H4 is not limited to 8 centimeters and can be adjusted to different
sizes. The concave panel 25 is concentrically positioned with the
concave surface 114, and the first side panel 22 and the second
side panel 23 are respectively positioned parallel with the first
side surface 111 and the second side surface 112.
[0027] In reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the left arm rest 3 and
the second arm rest each comprises an arm channel 41, a first pair
of sidewalls 42, a second pair of sidewalls 43, a top wall 44, and
a bottom wall 45. The first pair of sidewalls 42 is oppositely
positioned from each other, and the second pair of sidewalls 43 is
also oppositely positioned from each other. The first pair of
sidewalls 42 is perpendicularly positioned with the second pair of
sidewalls 43. The top wall 44 is positioned above the first pair of
sidewalls 42 and the second pair of sidewalls 43, and the bottom
wall 45 is positioned below the first pair of sidewalls 42 and the
second pair of sidewalls 43. The arm channel 41 has a long shallow
concave-shaped surface. The arm channel 41 is centrally positioned
on the top wall 44, in between the first pair of sidewalls 42. The
left arm rest 3 and the right arm rest 4 have a length L5, a width
W5, a height H5, and a height H6. In the preferred embodiments, the
length L5 is about 55 centimeters, the W5 is about 15 centimeters,
the height H5 is about 17.5 centimeters, and the height H6 is about
13.5 centimeters.
[0028] The present invention is made of high quality foam. Although
the present invention is made of high quality foam, the present
invention can also be made from rubber, plastic, or any other
materials. Furthermore, the preferred embodiments have been
described with particular dimensions, it is to be understood that
the present invention can be configured to have other dimensions
suitable for differently structured body types, such as infant,
child, teen, or adult.
[0029] In reference to FIG. 9, proper positioning of the base
section 1 is accomplished by ensuring the inclined surface 124
under the obese patient's upper and middle back and placing the
obese patient's head on the upper pad 2. In reference to FIG. 10,
FIG. 11, and FIG. 12, as soon as the obese patient loses
consciousness, the upper pad 2 is either removed or rotated down to
the desired degree according to patient's neck anatomy or
laryngoscopists preference. For example, an obese patient who has
an anterior larynx/or stiff neck may need less head extension. In
order to compensate the stiff neck, the upper pad 2 may be rotated
within the head section 11. Reference to FIG. 10, when the obese
patient's head is positioned within the concave surface 114, the
present invention aligns the oral axis 5, the pharyngeal axis 6,
and the laryngeal axis 7 creating short and straight path between
the mouth and the rima glottidis. When the upper pad 2 is removed
from the base section 1, the obese patient's head drops down to the
concave surface 114 and the head is fully extended to the sniff
position. The fully extended sniff position allows the
laryngoscopist to clearly see the laryngeal inlet which allows easy
and safe intubation. Therefore the injury or damage to the upper
airway can be reduced significantly. While the obese patient's head
is extended to the sniff position, the inclined surface 124
supports the upper and middle back area. The obese patient's neck
and head are completely secured within the base section 1, due to
the respective positioning of the indentation 16 and the base
cavity 115. The obese patient's neck is positioned within the
indentation 16 while the obese patient's head concentrically
positions with the base cavity 115. Since the obese patient's neck
is supported by the indentation 16, lengthy operations can be
carried out. After the intubation has taken place, the upper pad 2
may or may not be inserted into the head section 11. In reference
to FIG. 10, since the present invention effectively raises the
patient's head and neck in fully stable exposed extension position,
the invention facilitates internal jugular vein catheterization;
neck surgery such as thyroidectomy or laryngectomy. The present
invention also facilitates different type of surgeries on the chest
area, such as open heart surgery and breast surgery, as the
surgeons may position the operated the obese patients in a
sit-upright position. The base section 1 are easily positioned
under the obese patient's body. Since the inclined surface 124 only
supports the upper and middle back area, the base section 1 can be
easily inserted and pulled out. Since the length L1 is always
larger than the length L3, two empty spaces are positioned above
the back section 12. The two empty spaces allow the
anesthesiologists and nurses to place their medical equipments,
such as a tracheal tube, syringes of intravenous drugs, or other
related equipments, next to the obese patient. In reference to FIG.
15 and FIG. 16, the left arm rest 3 and the right arm rest 4 are
respectively placed under the obese patient's left arm and the
right arm. The left arm rest 3 is located adjacent with the second
side panel 23, and the right arm rest 4 is located adjacent with
the first side panel 22. The left arm rest 3 and the right arm rest
4 are essential because of the increased height of the base section
1, and the restricted movement of the obese patient's arms. The
left arm and the right arm of the obese patient are placed within
the arm channel 41, and the left arm rest 3 and the right arm rest
4 can be moved along the left arm and the right arm for proper
positioning. The left arm rest 3 and the right arm rest 4 supports
the obese patient's arms and the shoulder area. Since the left arm
rest 3 and the right arm rest 4 are completely independent from
each other, they provide grate range of flexibility to the
surgeons. In reference to FIG. 17, the surgeons can move the obese
patient's arm to any different abduction position angle, while
keeping both arms secured within the left arm rest 3 and the right
arm rest 4.
[0030] The present invention can also be used in the performance of
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). When the present invention is
used during the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a
victim's airway is quickly and effectively opened in a hospital or
in an emergency medical service. This allows proper ventilation to
the victim and increases the efficiency of the CPR, and the obese
patient can be ventilated immediately by any one while waiting for
an intubation. The present invention can also be used in
postoperative period to prevent airway obstruction as the obese
patients recover from general anesthesia. The present invention
prevents respiratory arrest due to airway obstruction in the
postoperative obese patients who are not totally awake. In
addition, the present invention can be used in a lateral position
such as in the performance of colonoscopy. When the pillow is used
in the lateral position, the slope side of the inclined surface 124
and the obese patient's face are positioned in the same
direction.
[0031] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its
preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other
possible modifications and variations can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter
claimed.
* * * * *