| abstract |
An apparatus for limiting body motion as a patient lies down includes a pad shaped to prevent the patient from rolling over the pad. The pad is shaped so that it projects outwardly 3 inches or more from the patient when attached to the human body. The base of the pad contacts the patient's skin or sleep clothes. The pad has sidewalls which make an angle of greater than approximately 35° degrees with respect to the base. A removable, washable covering is placed on the pad. An attachment mechanism associated with the pad and the covering attach the pad and cover to the human body. The attachment mechanism can be a hook-and-loop fastener, a sports bra type device, a series of straps, a series of snaps, or a series of hooks. In each instance, the pad can be positioned at several positions on the body, including positions to the right or left of the patient's medial plane. More than one pad can also be used to limit the body motion of a patient. One can be positioned on the posterior side of a patient and another can be positioned on an anterior side of a patient. In this way, the patient motion may be limited to lying on one side rather than discouraging rest while in the supine position. |