This invention can be used in three different ways for patients who are
lying down in
bed or on the
operating table. First it facilitates the
endotracheal intubation, secondly it facilitates the spontaneous
breathing of obese patients and thirdly it assists the spontaneous inspiration and expiration in a non-invasive way. This invention device is positioned under the patient before he is asleep without disturbing him. It allows a gradual elevation of the lower and or upper
thorax, a gradual elevation of the head giving a flexion of the neck and a gradual
hyperextension of the head. After
intubation the position is returned to normal without need for removing the invention device. This invention elevates the
spinal column and therefore the
thorax is no more compressed and the ribs can move free. Inspiration requires less force and the patient can be
breathing easier even when
lying down. In this invention the
spinal column elevation can also be inflated in a synchronized way with the
respiration of the patient. During inspiration the
spinal column is elevated, facilitating the inspiration.
During expiration the elevation is lowered, facilitating the expiration. The
work of breathing is reduced for the patient resulting in larger minute volume ventilation or less
oxygen consumption.