Support device for positioning a patient in a prone position

Abstract

A support structure that allows an individual, generally an infant, to be supported in a desired position and gently constrained from rolling over is disclosed. A well-defined, soft, elastic center panel or pillow is disposed and secured to two firm, slightly elastic side arms each having a height that is greater than that of the center panel. Thus, a channel is formed defined by an upper surface of the center panel and inner surfaces of the side arms. The individual can be disposed within the channel in a position, e.g., prone, and is gently constrained therein. The side arms can be cantilevers or other elongated structures providing additional support for the individual.

Description

PRIORITY [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 601,240 filed Aug. 13, 2004 by John Moore, entitled, “Apparatus For Positioning and Maintaining An Individual In A Prone Position,” which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to the field of home and medical apparatus, and more particularly to support apparatus for positioning an individual in a prone position for a period of time. [0003] There are several, if not many, reasons to position an individual in a prone position for a period of time. For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Infant Positioning and Sudden Death Syndrome opines that a prone position may still be the one of choice for premature infants with respiratory distress, those with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, and infants with certain upper airway abnormalities. It has also been determined by the Department of Inte...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The invention thus provides, in one aspect, a support structure to position and gently constrain an individual in a position, and particularly, a prone position. The support structure has a well-defined, soft center panel disposed and secured between two firm, slightly elastic side arms each having a height greater than that of the center panel. Thus, a channel is formed as defined by an upper surface of the center panel and a portion of inner surfaces of the side arms having a height beyond that of the center panel. The individual can be disposed in a prone position resting on the center panel, and gently constrained by the inner surfaces of the side arms. The center panel, therefore, has a width equal to or slightly smaller that a width of the chest and / or belly area of the individual to be disposed thereon. The inner surfaces of the side arms provide a gentle constraint to maintain the individual in the desired position.

[0011] In a further related aspect, one or more center attachments can increase the height of the center panel and / or reshape its upper surface. The center attachment can be secured to the upper surface of the center panel using a variety of means either permanently or releasably. Alternatively, or in addition to, multiple center attachments of the same or varying heights can be used in a stackable configuration. A center attachment can also have an inclined, declined or peaked formation to provide a non-horizontal surface on which the individual rests while disposed in the channel. A center attachment can be concave or convex in shape to provide additional comfort and / or support for the individual resting thereon.

[0012] Width attachments are also provided which, like the center attachments, can be used singularly or in plurality. They are can be secured along an inner surface of a side arm and positioned so as to reduce the width of the channel.

[0014] In another aspect, the invention provides a support structure to position an individual in a prone position and to maintain that position for a length of time. It has a center panel and sides arms as generally described above, albeit, the side arms can be elongated, substantially straight structures, and thus, the support structure has a general U-shape configuration. An individual disposed within the structure is gently constrained from rolling over, yet his or her lower extremities are free to move about. Alternatively, the width of the channel can be decreased to be less than the width of her chest, and provide increased constraint.

[0015] In still another aspect, the invention provides a support structure to position an individual in a prone position for a length of time without substantially impacting normal development cycles such as vision-depth and / or vision-motor development. The support structure is, as already generally described, but has a center panel that can be inclined, declined, or peaked providing a comfortable support from which an infant can extend and use his or her upper extremities. Alternatively, the center panel can be concave or otherwise shaped to provide a comfortable platform for the individual disposed thereon.

Problems solved by technology

But unfortunately, and especially with infants, known support apparatus is not capable of providing sustained prone positioning.

Children may also be uncomfortable in a prone position when suffering from certain nervous system dysfunction(s), immature development and the like including prematurity, sensory integration disorder and stroke.

Although the disclosed support apparatus is quite useful for supporting an infant in a supine position, it does not prevent that infant from rolling over to a side or supine position from a prone position.

Thus, although very useful for a variety of purposes, the support structure of Mathews is not capable of providing a comfortable and sustained support for placing an infant in a prone position.

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