U.S. patent application number 11/194806 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-01 for therapeutic posturing process and devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to Special Tikes, Inc.. Invention is credited to Luke Faustick.
Application Number | 20070022537 11/194806 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37692684 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070022537 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Faustick; Luke |
February 1, 2007 |
Therapeutic posturing process and devices
Abstract
A process for the therapeutic posturing of infants resides in
providing one or more shape retaining cushioning devices having a
first surface for receiving at least a part of an infant's body in
a given position and one or more second surfaces for inhibiting
movement of the given part of the infant's body from the given
position, and placing an infant relative to the cushioning device
or devices such that the given part of the infant's body is
retained in the given position by said surfaces without unduly
constraining other parts of the body. Representative therapeutic
posturing devices are disclosed.
Inventors: |
Faustick; Luke; (Bonsall,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREER, BURNS & CRAIN
300 S WACKER DR
25TH FLOOR
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
Special Tikes, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
37692684 |
Appl. No.: |
11/194806 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/655 ;
128/845 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/08 20130101;
A47D 15/008 20130101; A47C 5/125 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/655 ;
128/845 |
International
Class: |
A47C 27/14 20070101
A47C027/14 |
Claims
1. A process for therapeutic posturing of an infant comprising the
steps of providing a shape retaining cushion having a first surface
for receiving at least part of an infant's body in a given position
and one or more second surfaces for inhibiting movement of the part
of the infant's body from the given position, and placing an
infant's body relative to the cushion such that the given part of
the infant's body is retained in said given position.
2. A process for therapeutic posturing of an infant comprising the
steps of providing a shape retaining cushion having a first surface
for receiving the torso of an infant in a given position and spaced
second surfaces generally normal to the first surface for
inhibiting the infant from rolling out of the given position, and
placing an infant face down on the cushion with its stomach and
chest in engagement with the first surface and between the second
surfaces and with its head, shoulders and arms extending beyond
said surfaces.
3. A process as set for in claim 2 wherein the cushion has a base,
the first surface is elevated relative to the base for posturing
the infant's head in an elevated position without direct support
from the cushion, and the second surfaces comprise side walls
extending upwardly from the first surface and engagable by the
infant's torso for inhibiting rolling of the infant's body.
4. A process as set forth in claim 2 wherein the first surface of
the cushion is inclined generally upwardly from a lower portion of
the infant's torso toward the top of the infant's torso.
5. A process as set forth in claim 3 wherein the first surface of
the cushion is curved upwardly from generally the lower region of
the infants chest to the upper region of the infant's chest for
posturing the infant's shoulders, neck and head in an elevated
position relative to the remainder of the infant's body.
6. A process as set forth in claim 3 including an aperture in the
first surface of the cushion for accommodating a gastrointestinal
port should the infant have such a port.
7. A process as set forth in claim 6 including a removable plug for
closing the aperture.
8. A process as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first surface of
said cushion is curved upwardly from generally the lower region of
the infant's chest to the upper region of the infant's chest for
posturing the infant's shoulders, neck and head in an elevated
position relative to the remainder of the infant's body.
9. A process as set forth in claim 2 comprising the step of forming
the cushion from a semi-resilient foam and covering the foam
cushion with a conformable, removable and washable cover.
10. A device for therapeutic posturing of an infant comprising a
shape retaining cushion having a first surface for receiving at
least part of an infant's body in a given position and one or more
second surfaces for inhibiting movement of that part of the
infant's body from the given position.
11. A device as set forth in claim 10 wherein said first surface is
an upwardly facing surface and said one or more second surfaces
comprise a pair of spaced surfaces extending generally upwardly
relative to said first surface.
12. A device as set forth in claim 11 wherein said cushion has a
base, said first surface is elevated relative to the base for
receiving the torso of an infant's body and for posturing the
infant's head in an elevated position without direct support from
the cushion, and said second surfaces comprise side walls
engageable by the infant's torso for inhibiting rolling of the
infant's body.
13. A device as set forth in claim 12 wherein said first surface of
said cushion is inclined generally upwardly from a lower portion of
an infant's torso toward the top of the infant's torso.
14. A device as set forth in claim 12 wherein said first surface of
said cushion is curved upwardly from generally the lower region of
the infant's chest to the upper region of the infant's chest for
posturing the infant's shoulders, neck and head in an elevated
position relative to the remainder of the infant's body.
15. A device as set forth in claim 12 including an aperture in the
first surface of the cushion for accommodating an gastrointestinal
port should the infant have such a port.
16. A device as set forth in claim 15 including a removable plug
for closing the aperture.
17. A device as set forth in claim 12 including, relative to an
infant's torso, an aperture in the lower left region of the first
surface of the cushion for accommodating a gastrointestinal port
should the infant have such a port.
18. A device as set forth in claim 10 wherein said cushion is
comprised of a semi-resilient foam body.
19. A device as set forth in claim 18 including a conformable soft
goods cover on said body.
20. A device as set forth in claim 19 wherein said soft goods cover
is removable and washable.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a process and devices for
the therapeutic posturing of infants.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Some infants are born with mental and/or physical
deficiencies due, for example, to brain damage, oxygen deprivation
and/or diminished motor skills. Many of these deficiencies are
therapeutically treatable by appropriate posturing or positioning
of the infant's body. Skilled physical therapists, using rolled
towels and other props, are able to position an infant's head,
legs, arms and torso to compensate for and therapeutically treat
the birth deficiency.
[0003] Other children require medical treatments, such as
intravenous infusions, gastrointestinal feeding and oral
ventilation, that call for the infant or child to be supine and/or
quiescent. Again, a skilled physical therapist, using towels and
props, can appropriately position the infant or child to facilitate
administration of the treatment.
[0004] In these cases, a professional therapist is required to
improvise a posturing system for the infant or child.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The object of the invention is to provide devices, and a
process of using such devices, for therapeutic posturing of infants
without requiring improvisation by a therapist, or for that matter,
without requiring a professional therapist at all.
[0006] In accordance with the invention, such devices are comprised
of a semi-resilient cushion having a first surface, usually an
upwardly facing surface, for receiving at least part of an infant's
body in a given position, and one or more second surfaces for
inhibiting movement of the infant's body from the given position.
The process of the invention resides in providing the cushioning
device and placing an infant's body relative to the cushioning
device such that the given part of the infant's body is retained in
said given position.
[0007] In a specific embodiment, an infant posturing device
particularly, though not solely, designed for therapeutic treatment
of infants having hyperextension and/or head control problems
comprises a shape retaining cushion having a first surface for
receiving the torso of an infant in a given position and spaced
second surfaces generally normal to the first surface for
inhibiting the infant from rolling out of the given position. In
accordance with the process of the invention, an infant is placed
face down on the cushion with its stomach and chest in engagement
with the first surface and positioned between the second surfaces
and with its head, shoulders and arms extending beyond said
surfaces.
[0008] An infant positioned on the cushion as above described is
not able to roll out of or retract from the posture thus
established for it, and in particular is not able to retract its
arms, thereby to aid in treatment of hyperextension problems.
Additionally, the infant's head is not supported and the infant's
inherent curiosity will induce the infant to raise his or her head
to see what is going around him or her thereby to aid in treatment
of head control problems.
[0009] The therapeutic cushion of the invention thereby enables
unskilled parents and caregivers to establish a therapeutically
beneficial posture for an infant without requiring skilled
therapists to posture the child each time the child is to be
moved.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the invention will
become apparent to those of reasonable skill in the art from the
following detailed description as considered in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
therapeutic posturing cushion provided in accordance with the
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view, from a different perspective,
of the body of the cushion illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cushion illustrated in FIGS. 1
and 2;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-section of the cushion
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;
and
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of
therapeutic cushion for posturing the head of an infant,
particularly following surgery and/or during administration of a
supplementary treatment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] The following is a detailed description of certain
embodiments of the invention presently deemed by the inventor to be
the best mode of carrying out his invention.
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a posturing cushion 10 for
therapeutic treatment of an infant having hyperextension problems
and/or head control problems is comprised of a shape retaining body
12 (FIG. 2) and a conformable, removable and washable cover 14
(FIG. 1).
[0018] The body 12 is suitably molded or otherwise formed from a
fire resistant and non-toxic semi-rigid/semi-resilient shape
retaining foam and the cover 14 is preferably made of a fire
resistant and non-toxic soft, pliant, absorbent and washable
fabric, such as cotton toweling. The cover is suitable fabricated
in accordance with standard slipcover manufacturing procedures so
as to be easily removable from and easily re-assembled on the body
12, so the cover may from time-to-time be removed for washing
and/or cleaning to maintain a sanitary condition.
[0019] The cushion 10 comprises a base portion 16 defining an
upwardly facing surface 18 for receiving the torso of an infant and
a pair of laterally spaced upstanding sidewalls 20 which define
side surfaces 22 engageable with the infant's body to prevent or at
least deter the infant from rolling off of or changing its position
relative to the first surface 18.
[0020] The upper surface 18 of the base 16 is preferably inclined
upwardly from one end (lower end 24) to the other end (upper end
26). More specifically, the surface 18 is preferably curved or
contoured to conform more or less to an infant's tummy (stomach)
adjacent its lower end 24 and the infant's chest adjacent its upper
end 26. The upper end portion of the surface 18 is preferably
curved or rounded, as indicated at 28, to conformably and
comfortably receive the upper portion of an infant's torso.
[0021] Pursuant to the invention, particularly though not solely
for therapeutic treatment of infants having hyperextension problems
and/or head control problems, the infant is placed faced down on
the cushion between the side surfaces 22 with the infant's tummy
engaging the lower portion 24 of the surface 18 and the infants
chest engaging the upper portion 26 of the surface 18, and with the
infant's head, shoulders and arms extending over and beyond the
rounded upper end 28 of the cushion.
[0022] When so positioned, the infant is not able to retract
her/his arms from their extended positions over the upper end of
the cushion, thereby to aid in treatment of hyperextension
problems, such as those resulting from brain damage, oxygen
deprivation and/or diminished motor skills.
[0023] Additionally, the infant's head is not directly supported
and will hang down over the rounded upper end 28 of the cushion so
that the child will normally be looking at the floor or other
cushion supporting surface. The naturally inquisitive nature of an
infant will inherently cause the infant to raise its head from time
to time and/or for prolonged periods of time, in order to see what
is going on around him or her. This will exercise the head control
motor function of the body and aid in the treatment of head control
problems.
[0024] The cushion 10 thus provides for effective therapeutic
treatment of serious disabilities of physically and/or mentally
challenged infants.
[0025] Many of these infants suffer additional disabilities which
may, for example, require gastrointestinal feeding via a feed tube
and port communicating between the exterior and the interior of the
stomach. To accommodate the gastrointestinal feeding port on such
infants, the cushion 10 of the invention preferably includes a
cutout, aperture or opening 30 in the base 16 and supporting
surface 18, suitably in the lower left region of the lower end
portion 24 of the surface 18, adapted to receive the port without
obstruction. For infants who do not have or require a
gastrointestinal port, the aperture 30 may be filled and closed by
a removable plug or insert 30 as illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0026] There are also a number of infants who, during recovery from
surgery or during therapeutic treatments, such as oral ventilation,
or during administration of an intravenous infusion, and for
various other reasons, need to be postured on their backs. Due to
the softness of skull tissues during infancy, posturing of an
infant on her/his back can result in flattening of the back of the
child's head, which could become a lifelong deformity.
Additionally, under at least some circumstances, a child's head
should be held steady in a given position for administration of a
particular treatment. The cushion illustrated in FIG. 5 addresses
these concerns.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 5, a cushion 40 for maintaining an
infant's head quiescent and in a selected position during
administration of a treatment requiring the infant to be in a
supine posture, and for mitigating flattening or other deformity of
an infant's head while in supine posture, is comprised of an
annulus 42 of shape retaining material, suitably a
semi-rigid/semi-resilient foam. The annulus may, if desired, be
provided with a removable and washable cover (not shown) similar to
that of FIG. 1.
[0028] The annulus 42 has interior and exterior dimensions or
boundaries such as to define radially extending annular surfaces 44
that will engage and support marginal portions of an infant's
skull. The skull of the infant extends partially into the interior
of the annulus and movement of the skull relative to the annulus is
inhibited by the radially inner interior surfaces 52 of the
annulus. The annulus has a thickness sufficient to hold the skull
spaced from the supporting surface on which the annulus is rested.
Thus, the head does not contact a hard surface and will not become
flattened or suffer other deformities during therapeutic
treatment.
[0029] The annulus has at least one and preferably a plurality of
recesses 46 in one or both of its surfaces for receiving a portion
of an infant's head and neck. The recesses are preferably of
different sizes to accommodate infant's heads and necks of
different shapes and sizes. Each recess has an upwardly facing
head/neck supporting surface 48 and a pair of laterally spaced side
surfaces 50 that will prevent or at least mitigate side to side
movement and rolling motion of the head. The surfaces 48, 50 and 52
hold the head steady and parallel to the sides of the infant's body
with the head spaced from hard surfaces during therapy.
[0030] The invention thus provides a process and devices whereby
unskilled caregivers, with minimal tutoring or coaching, can
conveniently and accurately posture an infant's body for
therapeutic treatment without requiring the continual attention of
a skilled therapist.
[0031] The objects and advantages of the invention have therefore
been shown to be attained in a convenient, economical, practical
and facile manner.
[0032] While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have
been herein illustrated and described, it is to be appreciated that
various changes, rearrangements and modifications may be made
therein, and that other and additional therapeutic posturing
devices may be devised, without departing from the scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *