HoverProne-A Patient Proning Device
A novel device that significantly facilitates patient proning, especially for intubated patients
Background
In many clinical settings, a patient must remain immobile for extended periods of time. This may delay patient recovery or lead to additional complications. For example, in many pulmonary diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and COVID-19, there is a significant fluid buildup in the alveoli of an immobilized patient. In such settings, proning of the patient can help redistribute the fluid and improve patient recovery. However, proning is not an easy task, especially when the patient is intubated.
In current practice, 4-6 trained medical staff members must work together to prone an intubated patient. Specialized beds with rotating frames exist to prone the patient, but they are expensive and not available in all hospitals. Hence, there is a need for easy-to-use and affordable devices for patient proning.
Technology Overview
Boston Children's Hospital researchers have developed HoverProne, a novel device that significantly facilitates patient proning, especially for intubated patients. The device consists of inflatable mats placed anterior and posterior to the patient. The mats zip or hook together and inflate with an external air pump. Once inflated the mats form a cylindrical shape with the patient at the center. The device has a high-friction outer surface in contact with the cylinder and bed, and a low-friction inner surface that allows the layers to slide freely against each other, significantly reducing the effort needed to rotate the patient. The device also includes methods to secure the patient’s torso, arms, and legs, and guide loops to secure lines/tubes to reduce the risk of entanglement and to decrease interference with any medical equipment. Several turning handles or similar features on the external surface of the cylinder will allow for easy turning of the device.
Benefits
- Significant reductions in the number of trained staff and the manual effort needed to rotate the patient
- The use of straps to secure the patient reduces the risk of patient injury
- Cords and tubes connected to the patient are secured, reducing the risk of entanglement as the patient rotates.
Applications
The invention can be used for turning a patient (who may be intubated) on a bed at any desired angle. Important example applications include proning of the patient in:
- COVID-19
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Patents
IP Status
- Patent application submitted
