WO2022260571A1

WO2022260571A1 - Device for lateral repositioning of a load

Info

Publication number: WO2022260571A1
Application number: PCT/SE2022/050525
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ali AL AARADJI; Louise Johansson; Martina LUNDIN; Victor PIHL; Jonas MÖLLER; Jonas Andersson
Original assignee: Innovation Skåne Ab
Priority date: 2021-06-09
Filing date: 2022-05-31
Publication date: 2022-12-15
Also published as: SE2130158A1; SE545217C2

Abstract

A device for lateral repositioning of a load is disclosed, comprising a support to support the load, the support comprising a plurality of support elements arranged across a surface of the support, the support elements are movable from a retracted position to a raised position, the surface of the support comprises retention regions arranged in between the plurality of support elements, a first friction coefficient of the support elements is lower than a second friction coefficient of the retention regions, the retention regions support the load in the retracted position, such that a lateral movement of the load is subject to a retention force (F_r) from the retention regions, wherein, in the raised position, at least part of the weight (m) of the load is transferred from the retention regions to the support elements so that the retention force (F_r) is reduced.

Description

Device for lateral repositioninq of a load

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to the field of medical repositioning devices and more particularly to a device for lateral repositioning of a load, such as the weight of a person.

Background

In medical environments, such as hospital intensive care units, caregivers and medical staffers may devote a significant portion of their time to moving and repositioning patients, such as during medical procedures or on a day-to-day basis assisting patients who are not capable of moving themselves. Repositioning of a patient may be needed during surgery while being under general anesthesia, in order to obtain optimal positions of the patient on the operating table during the various stages of the medical procedure. For example, a first position may be preferable when administering the anesthetics, while a different position is advantageous for facilitating the surgery.

This movement and repositioning can be a strenuous and even dangerous practice for the caregivers, particularly where the patient is heavy relative to the strength of the caregiver. A wide variety of products have been designed to move patients from one location to another in a hospital setting. Medical facilities may utilize repositioning sheets. These repositioning sheets provide a low friction surface on an underside of the sheet, and in some cases handles that help the caregivers grasp the sheet. These features help the caregivers to slide the sheet and patient along a resting structure, such as a hospital bed, which makes the process of repositioning less burdensome for the caregiver. Other techniques may include forcibly inserting a rigid tray under the patient, which is then pulled or pushed to reposition the patient.

The previous techniques for repositioning patients can still be difficult if the patient is immobilized or unconscious, and can be cumbersome for the medical staff even if the patient is cooperative, or uncomfortable for the patient. Furthermore, low-friction repositioning sheets may not always be suitable during surgery since the patient needs to be firmly placed with minimal lateral movement in delicate procedures. In such situation, placing such sheets underneath the patient and subsequently removing the same contributes to the repeated strenuous work of the medical staff and can entail certain risk for the patient. Trays suffer from drawbacks, since they need to be applied and subsequently removed from the patient. The tray is also uncomfortable due to the frictional engagement of the tray with the body.

Hence, an improved device for repositioning of a load, such as the weight of a person or would be advantageous and in particular allowing for avoiding more of the above-mentioned problems and compromises, including providing for a less strenuous repositioning while maintaining a secure position of the patient during sensitive medical procedures.

Summary

Accordingly, examples of the present invention preferably seek to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more deficiencies, disadvantages or issues in the art, such as the above-identified, singly or in any combination by providing a device according to the appended patent claims.

According to a first aspect a device for lateral repositioning of a load is provided, comprising a support to support a weight (m) of the load, the support comprising a plurality of support elements arranged across a surface of the support, wherein the support elements are movable from a retracted position to a raised position, along a vertical direction, relative to a plurality of retention regions arranged in between the plurality of support elements, the support elements have a first friction coefficient, the retention regions have a second friction coefficient, wherein the first friction coefficient is lower than the second friction coefficient, wherein, in the retracted position, the retention regions support the load, when the load is supported by the support, such that a lateral movement of the load is subject to a retention force from the retention regions, wherein, in the raised position, at least part of the weight of the load is transferred from the retention regions to the support elements so that the retention force is reduced.

According to a second aspect a system is provided comprising a device according to the first aspect and an intermediate support layer, such as a sheet, wherein the retention regions and the support elements are arranged to engage with the intermediate support layer, wherein the intermediate support layer anchors to the retention regions in the retracted position, and is released from the retention regions in the raised position.

Further examples of the invention are defined in the dependent claims, wherein features for the first aspect may be implemented for the second aspect, and vice versa.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a facilitated repositioning of a load, such as the weight of a patient.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a lateral repositioning of a load using less amount of force.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a more ergonomic handling of a person.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a facilitated repositioning of a patient during surgery.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a facilitated repositioning of a load when transferred between different support surfaces.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for attaining a secure position of a patient with minimal movement during a medical procedure.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a compact device for repositioning of a patient.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a robust device for repositioning of a patient.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a device for repositioning of a load which is less complex to operate.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for increased patient safety.

It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawings

These and other aspects, features and advantages of which examples of the invention are capable of will be apparent and elucidated from the following description of examples of the present invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which; Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a device for lateral repositioning of a load such as the weight of a person, in a perspective view, according to an example of the disclosure;

Fig. 2a is a schematic illustration of a device for lateral repositioning of a load, in a top-down view, according to an example of the disclosure;

Fig. 2b is a schematic illustration of a device for lateral repositioning of a load, in a side view, where support elements thereof are in a raised position, according to an example of the disclosure;

Fig. 2c is a schematic illustration of a device for lateral repositioning of a load, in a side view, where support elements thereof are in a retracted position, according to an example of the disclosure;

Fig. 3a is a schematic illustration of a device for lateral repositioning of a load, in a side view, where an intermediate support layer is applied to support elements of the device, according to an example of the disclosure;

Fig. 3b is a schematic illustration of a device for lateral repositioning of a load, in a side view, where an intermediate support layer is supported by support elements of the device, according to an example of the disclosure;

Fig. 3c is a schematic illustration of a device for lateral repositioning of a load, in a side view, where an intermediate support layer is supported by retention regions of the device, according to an example of the disclosure;

Fig. 4a is a schematic illustration of a device for lateral repositioning of a load, in a side view, where support elements thereof are in a raised position, according to an example of the disclosure;

Fig. 4b is a schematic illustration of a device for lateral repositioning of a load, in a side view, where support elements thereof are in a retracted position, according to an example of the disclosure;

Fig. 5a is a schematic illustration of a device for lateral repositioning of a load, in a side view, where an intermediate support layer is supported by support elements of the device, according to an example of the disclosure;

Fig. 5b is a schematic illustration of a device for lateral repositioning of a load, in a side view, where an intermediate support layer is supported by retention regions of the device, according to an example of the disclosure;

Fig. 5c is a schematic illustration of a device for lateral repositioning of a load, in a side view, where support elements thereof are in a raised position and facing a support base, according to an example of the disclosure; Fig. 5d is a schematic illustration of a device for lateral repositioning of a load, in a side view, where support elements thereof are in a retracted position and facing a support base, according to an example of the disclosure;

Fig. 6a is a schematic illustration of a device for lateral repositioning of a load, in a side view, where an intermediate support layer is subject to a retention force from retention regions of the device as a weight of a load is supported thereon, according to an example of the disclosure;

Fig. 6b is a schematic illustration of a device for lateral repositioning of a load, in a side view, where an intermediate support layer is supported by support elements of the device, according to an example of the disclosure;

Figs. 7a-c are schematic illustrations of a device for lateral repositioning of a load, in top-down views, according to examples of the disclosure;

Fig. 8 is a schematic illustration of a device for lateral repositioning of a load, in a side view, according to an example of the disclosure;

Fig. 9 is a schematic illustration of a device for lateral repositioning of a load, in a perspective view, according to an example of the disclosure;

Fig. 10 is a schematic illustration of a device for lateral repositioning of a load, in a perspective view, where the device is supported on a bed, according to an example of the disclosure;

Fig. 11 is a schematic illustration of a device for lateral repositioning of a load, in a perspective view, where the device is supported on a seat of a wheel chair, according to an example of the disclosure;

Detailed Description

Specific examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these examples are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

Fig. 1 shows an example of a device 100 for lateral repositioning of a load, such as the weight of a person, which may be a patient in a hospital setting. Although the description below discusses examples relating to the repositioning of a patient, it is also conceivable that the device 100 can be utilized to reposition any load in a variety of applications. The device 100 comprises a support 101 to support a weight (m) of the load. The support 101 comprises a plurality of support elements 104 arranged across a surface 103 of the support 101. Fig. 2a is a schematic illustration of an example of the device 100 in a top- down view. The surface 103 of the support 101 extends in the x- and y- directions. The weight of the load is thus supported in a vertical direction (v), perpendicular to the surface 103. An example of the device 100 is further seen in the side views of Figs. 2b-c. The support elements 104 are movable from a retracted position (pi) to a raised position (p2), along the vertical direction (v), relative to a plurality of retention regions 105 arranged in between the plurality of support elements 104. Figs. 2b and 2c are schematic illustrations of the support elements 104 in the raised position (p2) and in the retracted position (p-i), respectively. The support elements 104 have respective surfaces 102 being movable between the aforementioned retracted and raised positions (p-i, P2). The retracted and raised positions (p-i, p2) as discussed below with respect to the support elements 104 should thus be construed as the positions of the respective surfaces 102.

The device 100 may be placed on a support base 111 so that the surfaces 102 of the support elements 104 face the direction of the load (mg), e.g. the patient, as exemplified in Figs. 5a-b. In another example, the device 100 may be placed on a support base 111 so that the surfaces 102 of the support elements 104 face the support base 111, as exemplified in Figs. 5c-d and discussed further below.

The support elements 104 have a first friction coefficient (p_s), as further schematically indicated in Figs. 6a-b.

The surface 103 of the support 101 thus comprises retention regions 105 arranged in between the plurality of support elements 104. Fig. 6a shows an example of a section of the support 101 where a retention region 105 is arranged adjacent a support element 104. The retention regions 105 have a second friction coefficient (m_G). The first friction coefficient (p_s), i.e. the friction coefficient of the support elements 104, is lower than the second friction coefficient (m_G), i.e. the friction coefficient of the retention regions 105. In the retracted position (pi), e.g. as illustrated in Fig. 6a, the retention regions 105 support the load, when the load is applied to the support 101. A lateral movement of the load, i.e. in the x- and y-directions, is thus subject to a retention force (F_r), i.e. a friction force, from the retention regions 105. The force (F) required to move the load (mg) laterally needs to overcome the retention force (F_r). In the raised position (p-i), e.g. as illustrated in Fig. 6b, at least part of the weight (m) of the load is transferred from the retention regions 105 to the support elements 104 so that the retention force (F_r) is reduced. In the example of Figs. 6a-b the load (mg) is conveyed via an intermediate support layer 108. While the example of Fig. 6b illustrates all of the weight (m) transferred to the support element 104, it should be understood that the portion of the weight (m) of the load transferred to the support element 104 may vary. In either case, the transfer of the load to the support elements 104 cause the retention force (F_r) to decrease. Likewise, in the example of Figs. 5c-d, the weight (m) of the load is transferred from the retention regions 105 in the retracted position in Fig. 5d to the support elements 104 in the raised position in Fig. 5c. The retention regions 105 are in contact with the support base 111 in Fig. 5d, and are thereby able to support at least part of the load. The retention regions 105 disengage from the support base 111 in Fig. 5c for the transfer of the load to the support elements 104. Although Fig. 5c shows complete disengagement of the retention regions 105 from the support base 111 it should be understood that partial disengagement may occur. Further, the portion of the weight of the load supported by the retention regions 105 in Fig. 5c may vary depending on if the support elements 104 are fully retracted or not. Regardless, at least part of the weight of the load is transferred from the retention regions 105 to the support elements 104 upon moving the support elements 104 from the retracted position (pi) to the raised position (p2).

The load is thus movable from a retained position in the retracted position, as schematically illustrated in e.g. Fig. 2c, 3c, 5b, 5d and 6a, when under the influence of a retention force (F_r) from the retention regions 105, to a slidable position, when in the raised position, as schematically illustrated in e.g. Fig. 2b, 3b, 5a, 5c and 6a. I.e. the load exhibit a retention force (F_r) in the x- and y- directions of the support 101 due to exerting a weight on the retention regions 105 having friction coefficient m_G, when the support elements 104 are retracted. As the support elements 104 are raised, the load is raised in the vertical direction (v) by the support elements 104, which move relative to the retention regions 105 along the vertical direction (v). The weight of the load is thus redistributed to the support elements 104, and the weight on the retention regions 105 is reduced. The retention force (F_r), i.e. the frictional force which is exerted by the retention regions 105 in the x- and y-directions, is reduced accordingly. The amount of force (F) required to move the load laterally across the support 101 is thus reduced in the raised position (p2), in e.g. Fig. 5a. Likewise, the amount of force (F) required to move the support 101 relative the support base 111 is reduced in the raised position (p2), in e.g. Fig. 5c. Once the desired position is achieved, the support elements 104 may be moved to the retracted position (pi) so as to bring a greater portion of the load’s weight back onto the retention regions 105 to increase the retention force (F_r). In case a patient is placed on the support 101 , the patient may be securely retained in the retracted position (pi), following the repositioning in the raised position (p2). The movement of the support elements 104 along the vertical direction (v) to vary the amount of weight transferred from the patient onto the retention regions 105 may thus be effectively utilized to vary the amount of friction between the patient and the support 101. Securing the support 101 to a bed, operating table, wheel chair, or other patient support, thus allows for varying of the amount of friction between the patient and the respective support. The position of the support elements 104 may be varied incrementally and continuously to vary the amount of weight transferred to the retention regions 105, and thereby fine-tune and optimize the degree of friction between the patient and the support 101 , or between the support 101 and a support base 111 in case of arranging the support 101 as illustrated in Figs. 5c-d.

Fig. 10 is a schematic illustration of an operating table functioning as a support base 111 for the support 101 of the device 100. In one example, the patient may assume a position on the table which is suitable for administering the anesthetics, e.g. close to a first end of the table. At this point the support elements 104 may be in the retracted position to securely retain the patient in the desired position close to the first end. Once under the general anesthesia and the patient is ready for surgery, the support elements 104 may be moved to the raised position to transfer weight of the patient from the retention regions 105, arranged in between the support elements 104, to the support elements 104. The friction between the patient and the support 101 is thus reduced as described above and the caregiver may slide the patient laterally across the support 101, e.g. towards a second end of the table. Once the patient is in the desired position, the support elements 104 can be moved to the retracted position to again transfer weight to the retention regions 105 and thereby increase the friction between the patient and the support 101. The patient is thus securely retained in the new position. The procedure may be repeated several times as desired for the repositioning of the patient throughout the procedure. Fig. 11 shows another example where the device 100 has been applied to a wheel chair. The support 101 is placed on the seat, on a support base 111 , to allow varying the friction between the seated patient and the seat if repositioning is desired. Transferring of the patient to and from the wheel chair may also be facilitated due to the ability to vary the friction between the support 101 and the patient. Analogously, if the support 101 is placed as illustrated in Figs. 5c-d, facing the support base 111 , the patient may sit or lie on a surface 115 opposite the support elements 104. The support 101 may then be moved laterally across the support base 111, such as an operating table, with a variable friction between the support 101 and the support base 111 as described above. Having the surface 102 of the support elements 104 facing the support base 111 may facilitate repositioning loads of different characteristics since the load will not move relative the support 101, and the interaction occurs instead between the support 101 and the support base 111. This may facilitate moving patients of different physical attributes. In this case the support 101 may comprise handles (not shown) to facilitate moving the support 101 relative the support base 111.

The device 100 thus provides for a less strenuous repositioning while maintaining a secure position of the patient during sensitive medical procedures. The ability to gradually vary the amount of friction allows for a more secure and ergonomic handling of the patient throughout different procedures involving repositioning the patient.

The plurality of support elements 104 may comprise a plurality of inflatable pockets 104 (also denoted with reference number 104 in Figs. 1 - 11) arranged across the surface 103 of the support 101. The inflatable pockets 104 will be referred to as pockets 104 in the disclosure below for brevity. The pockets 104 may be inflated by air, a fluid or a gas.

The inflatable pockets 104 are movable from the retracted position (pi), when the respective inflatable pocket 104 is in a deflated state, to the raised position (p2), as the respective pocket 104 is inflated to an inflated state. Figs.

2b and 2c are schematic illustrations of the pockets 104 in the inflated state and in the deflated state, respectively. The position of the surfaces 102 in the vertical direction (v) may thus be varied by inflating or deflating the pockets 104. Inflation of the plurality of pockets 104 may thus raise the load in a vertical direction (v) as the load is supported by the support elements 104. Likewise, deflation of the pockets 102 lowers the load in the vertical direction (v). Figs. 1, 2a-c show the retention regions 105 arranged in between the plurality of pockets 104. The pockets 104 may thus raise above the retention regions 105, in the vertical direction (v), in the inflated state, as schematically illustrated in e.g. Figs. 2b and 6b.

An intermediate support layer 108 may be placed between the load and the support 101, such as schematically illustrated in the examples of Fig. 10 and 11. Figs. 3a-c, 5a-b, and 6a-b illustrate how the contact between the intermediate support layer 108 and the retention regions 105 vary as the support elements 104 are moved between the retracted and raised positions (pi, p2). The intermediate support layer 108 may comprise a sheet, such as a glide sheet. Thus, once the weight of e.g. a patient is transferred to the support elements 104 in the raised position (p2), the intermediate support layer 108, e.g. the glide sheet, may slide over the support elements 104 (Fig. 6b) to reposition the patient in a facilitated manner. Likewise, in the retracted position (pi), the intermediate support layer 108 exhibits an increased friction from the retention regions 105 (Fig. 6b), to securely retain the patient in relation to the support 101. The support 101 may thus be secured to the support base 111 , i.e. to the bed, operating table or wheel chair.

Thus, the retention regions 105 and the support elements 104 may be arranged to engage with an intermediate support layer 108 for the patient, such as a sheet, e.g. a glide sheet. The intermediate support layer 108 may anchor to the retention regions 105, or at least exhibit an increased retention force (F_r), in the retracted position (pi) (see e.g. Fig. 5a), and the intermediate support layer 108 may be released from the retention regions 105 in the raised position (P2) (see e.g. Fig. 5a).

As elucidated above, the retention regions 105 may support the load in the retracted position (pi), when the load is supported by the support 101. The support elements 104 may be raised to a height (h) in the vertical direction (v), in the raised position (p2), such that the supporting of the weight of the load is transferred from the retention regions 105 to the support elements 104. The aforementioned height (h) is schematically indicated in Fig. 2b, and may be measured from the surface of the retention regions 105. The height (h) may be varied in dependence on a separation (d) between the support elements 104 so that the weight of the load is transferred from the retention regions 105 to the support elements 104 in the raised position (p2). E.g. the height (h) may be reduced if the separation (d) is reduced, and vice versa. The position of the support elements 104 in the vertical direction (v) in the retracted position (pi), illustrated in e.g. Fig. 2c, is such that the weight of the load can be distributed to the retention regions 105. In one example, the support elements 104 may be essentially flush with the upper surfaces of the retention regions 105 facing the load, when in the retracted position (pi). It is however conceivable that the support elements 104 may be off-set in the vertical direction (v) with respect to the upper surfaces of the retention regions 105, in the retracted position (pi), while still allowing for a weight of the load to be shifted to the retention regions 105, thereby providing the aforementioned retention force (F_r) to laterally secure the load.

The weight (m) of the load on the retention regions 105 may in some examples be removed in the raised position (p2). I.e. the support elements 104 may be moved to a height (h) so that the contact between the load, or intermediate support layer 108, and the retention regions 105 is removed or at least reduced to be insignificant in terms of the contribution to the total frictional force on the load from the retention force (F_r) originating from the retention regions 105.

The load may thus be slidable laterally across the support 101 in the raised position (p2) when subject to a lateral pulling or pushing force (F), as schematically indicated in Fig. 6b. The lateral pulling or pushing force (F) may in the raised position (p2) correspond essentially to the first friction coefficient (p_s) multiplied by the weight of the load (m) and the gravitational acceleration (g).

I.e. the contribution from the second friction coefficient (m_G) may be zero or insignificant as the weight is transferred to the support elements 104 in the raised position (p2). In contrast, the lateral pulling or pushing force (F) to slide the load is larger in the retracted position (pi), due to the contribution to the friction from the second friction coefficient (m_G) of the retention regions 105 as indicated in Fig. 6a.

The support elements 104 may be arranged in rows (n...r_n, ci...c_m) across the support 101. Fig. 2a shows an example where the support elements 104 are arranged in rows n...r_n, ci...c_m, in the x- and y-directions. The rows (n...r_n, ci...Cm) may thus extend along two essentially perpendicular directions (x, y) over the surface 103 of the support 101 so that the plurality of support elements 104 are arranged in the two perpendicular directions (x, y).

Fig. 7a is another schematic illustration showing a plurality of elongated support elements 104 arranged as indicated by ci...c_m along the x-axis. It is conceivable that the number of support elements 104 may be optimized according to the application, e.g. if the support 101 should fit on a bed or on a chair. Figs. 7b-c show further examples of support elements 104 arranged in different patterns across the support 101. Fig. 7b show off-set rows of support elements 104 and Fig. 7c show an undulating pattern of support elements 104.

The rows (n...r_n, ci...c_m) may be separated by retention regions 105 as indicated in Figs 2a and 7a. The retention regions 105 may thus extend in a crossed pattern over the surface 103 in the example in Fig. 2a, while Fig. 7a show elongated retention regions 105 in the spaces between the elongated support elements 104 in the x-direction. The width of the retention regions 105 in x- and y-directions may be varied to provide an optimized retention force (F_r) for lateral retention of the load in different applications. Each row (n...r_n, ci...c_m) may be separated by a retention region 105 as schematically illustrated in the examples of Figs. 2a and 7a. I.e. each support element 104 may be surrounded by a retention region 105 of increased friction.

The retention regions 105 may thus form a lattice or a stripe pattern. The support elements 104 may form squares or stripes in between the retention regions 105.

The device 100 may comprise a controller 106 configured to control the position of the support elements 104 along the vertical direction (v). In case the support elements 104 comprises inflatable pockets 104, the controller 106 may be connected to a pump 107. The pump 107 may be connected to the plurality of pockets 104. The controller 106 may thus be configured to control the inflation of the pockets 104 by controlling the pump circulating the air, gas or fluid. Figs. 4a-b are schematic illustrations of a controller 106 and a pump 107 connected via an inflation lumen 113 to the pockets 104. The plurality of pockets 104 may be joined by a common inflation space 114 to allow air, gas or fluid to propagate to each of the pockets 104 upon inflation via the lumen 113. Fig. 4a thus illustrates the inflated state of the pockets 104, and Fig. 4b the deflated state, respectively, with the retention regions 105 arranged in between the pockets 104.

The retention regions 105 may comprise an adhesive, and/or a Velcro material, and/or a rubber surface, or other materials that exhibit a high friction coefficient (m_G). The adhesive, and/or Velcro material, and/or rubber surface, may engage with an intermediate support layer 108 to increase the retention force (F_r) relative to the position of the support 101.

The support 101 may comprise anchoring sections 109, 110, configured to be anchored to a support base 111. Figs. 8 and 9 are schematic illustrations of examples of anchoring sections 109, 110. Fig. 8 is an example where the anchoring sections 109 wrap around edges of the support base 111. The anchoring sections 109 may in such case comprise excess length of the support 101 at its periphery, i.e. being wider than the support base 111 , for wrapping around the edges. The anchoring sections 109 may comprise pre-bent sections at the periphery of the support 101 which are shaped to wrap around the support base 111.

Fig. 9 show another example where the anchoring sections comprise recesses 110 in the support 101 which are configured to interlock with corresponding protrusions 112 extending from the support base 111. It is also conceivable that protrusions may be arranged on the support 101 while the recesses are arranged on the support base 111. Other structures for attaining a stable position of the support 101 on the support base 111 may be provided, such as clamps, adhesives, strings, magnets etc.

The support 101 and/or the intermediate support layer 108 may comprise grasping sections such as handles (not shown) to facilitate the positioning of the support 101 and/or the intermediate support layer 108. The intermediate support layer 108 may comprise grasping sections such as handles to facilitate repositioning the load.

As mentioned above, the mat support 101 may comprise a patient bed, operating table, or wheel chair.

A system is provided comprising a device 100 as described above in relation to Figs. 1 - 11 and an intermediate support layer 108, such as a sheet. The retention regions 105 and the support elements 104 are arranged to engage with the intermediate support layer 108, where the intermediate support layer 108 anchors to the retention regions 105 in the retracted position (pi), and is released from the retention regions 105 in the raised position (p2).

The present invention has been described above with reference to specific examples. Flowever, other examples than the above described are equally possible within the scope of the invention. The different features and steps of the invention may be combined in other combinations than those described.

The scope of the invention is only limited by the appended patent claims.

More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is/are used.

Claims

1. A device (100) for lateral repositioning of a load, comprising a support (101 ) to support a weight (m) of the load, the support comprising a plurality of support elements (104) arranged across a surface (103) of the support, wherein the support elements (104) are movable from a retracted position (pi) to a raised position (p2), along a vertical direction (v), relative to a plurality of retention regions (105) arranged in between the plurality of support elements (104), the support elements (104) have a first friction coefficient (p_s), the retention regions (105) have a second friction coefficient (m_G), wherein the first friction coefficient (m_e) is lower than the second friction coefficient (m_G), wherein, in the retracted position (pi), the retention regions (105) support the load, when the load is supported by the support (101), such that a lateral movement of the load is subject to a retention force (F_r) from the retention regions (105), wherein, in the raised position (p2), at least part of the weight (m) of the load is transferred from the retention regions (105) to the support elements (104) so that the retention force (F_r) is reduced, wherein the plurality of support elements comprises a plurality of inflatable pockets (104) configured to be inflated by air, a fluid or a gas, and being arranged across the surface of the support, wherein the respective inflatable pocket is movable from the retracted position (pi), when the respective inflatable pocket is in a deflated state, to the raised position (p2), as the respective pocket is inflated to an inflated state, whereby inflation of the plurality of pockets raises the load in the vertical direction (v) as the load is supported by the support.

2. Device according to claim 1 , wherein the weight (m) of the load on the retention regions is removed in the raised position.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support elements are arranged in rows (n ...r_n, ci...c ) across the support.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the rows (n ...r_n, ci...c_m) are separated by retention regions.

5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the rows (n ...r_n, ci...c_m) extend along two essentially perpendicular directions (x, y) over the surface of the support to so that the plurality of support elements are arranged in the two perpendicular directions.

6. Device according to claim 1 , comprising a controller (106) connected to a pump (107), the pump is connected to the plurality of pockets so that the controller is configured to control the inflation of the pockets.

7. Device according to any of claims 1 - 6, wherein the retention regions and the support elements are arranged to engage with an intermediate support layer (108) for the load, such as a sheet, wherein the intermediate support layer anchors to the retention regions in said retracted position, and is released from the retention regions in said raised position.

8. Device according to any of claims 1 - 7, wherein the retention regions comprise an adhesive, and/or a Velcro material, and/or a rubber surface.

9. Device according to any of claims 1 - 8, wherein the support comprises anchoring sections (109, 110) configured to be anchored to a support base (111 ).

10. Device according to any of claims 1 - 9, wherein the support is flexible so that when placed on a flexible support base (111), such as a mattress, the support conforms to the shape of the support base.

11. System comprising a device according to any of claims 1 - 10 and an intermediate support layer (108), such as a sheet, wherein the retention regions and the support elements are arranged to engage with the intermediate support layer, wherein the intermediate support layer anchors to the retention regions in the retracted position, and is released from the retention regions in the raised position.