Facial support cushion

Abstract

A facial support cushion for supporting the face of a person lying in a face down prone position, wherein the cushion is an annular, generally torus shaped body having a hollow interior with a plurality of generally radially extending partitions extending across the interior of the body, dividing it into a plurality of individual chambers spaced sequentially around the body. Apparatus is connected with the chambers to sequentially expand and contract them in an alternating pattern so that some of the chambers are expanded to contact and support the face while other chambers are contracted to relieve the pressure exerted against the face by the other chambers, whereby the formation of pressure sores and other deleterious effects are avoided by periodically and temporarily relieving pressure exerted by the chambers against different areas of the face.

1 . A support cushion for supporting the face of a person lying in a face down prone position, comprising: 
 an annular, generally torus shaped body having a hollow interior;    a plurality of generally radially extending partitions extending across the interior of the body, dividing it into a plurality of individual chambers spaced sequentially around the body; and    means connected with the chambers to sequentially expand and contract them in an alternating pattern so that some of the chambers are expanded to contact and support the face while other chambers are contracted to relieve the pressure exerted against the face by said other chambers, whereby the formation of pressure sores and other deleterious effects are avoided by periodically and temporarily relieving pressure exerted by the chambers against different areas of the face.    
   
   
       2 . A support cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the chambers are inflatable; and    the means connected with the chambers to sequentially expand and contract them comprise a source of pressurized fluid and valve means to connect the chambers alternately with said source and with exhaust.    
   
   
       3 . A support cushion as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the pressurized fluid comprises a gas.    
   
   
       4 . A support cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 at least one chamber on each side of the face and at the top and bottom of the face is expanded at all times to support the face against movement, said chambers being periodically temporarily contracted to relieve pressure on the areas of the face supported by those chambers while other chambers are expanded to provide said support.    
   
   
       5 . A support cushion as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein: 
 the chambers are inflatable; and    the means connected with the chambers to sequentially expand and contract them comprise a source of pressurized fluid and valve means to connect the chambers alternately with said source and with exhaust.    
   
   
       6 . A support cushion as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the pressurized fluid comprises a gas.    
   
   
       7 . A support cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 one of said chambers remains contracted at all times to provide a space for passage of an endotracheal tube or the like.    
   
   
       8 . A support cushion as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 there are eight chambers arranged sequentially in a clockwise direction around the torus shaped cushion, at least two of said chambers that are in generally opposed relationship on opposite sides of the cushion being contracted and at least one chamber adjacent each of said two chambers being expanded at the same time, whereby pressure relief is afforded by the contracted chambers while support is provided by the expanded chambers.    
   
   
       9 . A support cushion as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the chambers are inflatable; and    the means connected with the chambers to sequentially expand and contract them comprise a source of pressurized fluid and valve means to connect the chambers alternately with said source and with exhaust.    
   
   
       10 . A support cushion as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein: 
 at least two said chambers disposed on generally opposite sides of said torus shaped cushion are contracted at the same time, while the remaining chambers remain expanded.    
   
   
       11 . A support cushion as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein: 
 said torus shaped cushion includes a top portion adapted to contact and support the forehead of a person, opposite side portions adapted to contact and support the cheeks of a person, and a bottom portion adapted to contact and support the chin of a person;    said chambers comprise chambers  1  and  2  in the top portion, chambers  3  and  4  in one side and chambers  7  and  8  in the opposite side, and chambers  5  and  6  in the bottom portion, said chambers being numbered sequentially in a clockwise direction from the top portion of the cushion; and wherein:    chambers I and  2  are first deflated for a predetermined time interval, with chambers  3  and  5 - 8  inflated;    chambers  3  and  8  are then deflated, with chambers  1 ,  2  and  4 - 7  inflated;    chambers  7  and  5  are then deflated, with chambers  1 - 3 ,  6  and  8  inflated;    chamber  6  is then deflated, with chambers  1 - 3 ,  5 ,  7  and  8  inflated; and    the sequence is repeated.    
   
   
       12 . A support cushion as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein: 
 the predetermined time interval comprises from about one to about two minutes.