Reflux pants

Reflux pants for maintaining an infant having gastroesophageal reflux at a predetermined position on an inclined surface which includes straps for stabilizing the upper torso of the infant. The straps are adapted to be removably attached to the inclined bed for maintaining the infant in the predetermined given upright position on the inclined bed. Tabs are included on the straps and safety pins are pinned to the tabs for removably attaching the straps to the inclined bed. A diaper-shaped portion is connected to the straps for supporting the lower torso in the predetermined position.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The present invention relates to a pair of reflux pants for treatment of an 
infant with gastroesophageal reflux. 
BACKGROUND ART 
Reflux occurs frequently in premature babies due to the weakness of the 
esophageal sphincter. When the infant is fed, formula can easily be 
regurgitated into the esophagus, into the trachea and aspirated by the 
infant causing aspiration pneumonia. The treatment for infants with 
gastroesophageal reflux, among other things, is to position the infant 
face down on a bed. The head of the bed is maintained in a raised position 
so that gravity may assist in keeping the stomach contents in the stomach. 
However, the infant can not remain in the bed in the correct upward 
position on his own, and repeatedly slides either sideways or down towards 
the foot of the bed. When the infant slides down or to the side, he or she 
is no longer in the proper position for this type of treatment to be 
effective. The reflux pants of the present invention are used to keep the 
baby stationary so that the treatment will be efficient. 
Until the present time, blankets, T-shirts and sandbags have been used to 
keep the infant in the desired position. The infant can be wrapped in 
blankets or surrounded by sandbags. The T-shirts are used upside-down with 
the legs of the infant placed through the armholes of the T-shirts. 
However, these methods are ineffective for a variety of reasons. The 
infant slides out of the blankets, the sandbags are uncomfortable and both 
the sandbags and T-shirts cause the babies legs to be abnormally 
positioned. The abnormal leg position may cause future development of 
orthopedic problems. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,471,767 to GUIMOND discloses a therapeutic device for 
positioning an infant afflicted with gastroesophageal reflux. The device 
includes an incline flat bed portion covered with foam pad 15, as 
illustrated in FIG. 1 of the patent. Sides 3 and 5 are covered by plastic 
covered foam pads 11 and 13, respectively. A pair of generally angled 
mount support rods are provided to attach a pair of plastic pants 23, via 
eye screw 17, to the inclined flat surface. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,853,068 to POVEL discloses a safety blanket for children 
which includes main blanket portion B which is adapted to be suspended 
over the shoulders of a child. Bands C are provided for tying the blanket 
to a bed, and cross strap D is attached to the blanket. Straps B are 
positioned over the shoulders of a child in a generally suspender-type 
fashion. Additional bands C' can be provided to attach belt E to the 
blanket. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,034,502 discloses an infant holder which adapted to limit 
the movement of humans and animals during treatment or other operations. 
The invention includes a main body portion 10 having an upper end and cuts 
13 and 14 forming wings 17 and 18 between the cuts and the bottom of the 
body. The wings are adapted to be bent upwardly to permit legs of a child 
to be inserted therein. The restraining portion of the device includes a 
pair of upper straps 25 and 26 which can be flexibly positioned around the 
shoulder, chest and thorax of a child to retain the child with limited 
mobility. A flap 33 is provided for receiving the head of a child.C 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,737 discloses a support harness for a child which 
includes a main portion 21, shoulder straps 32, and the base support 
portion 31. VELCRO straps 33 and 34 are provided for attaching shoulder 
straps 32 to straps 27 located about the chair in which the child is 
positioned. 
None of the previous methods and devices used for restraining infants 
provide a device by which an infant can be restrained on an inclined bed 
where both the main torso and the chest are supported. 
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide reflux pants which are 
less complicated than the prior art devices and which can be used on any 
type of bed. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide reflux pants which 
are suited for isolettes and radiant warming beds used with premature 
babies. 
The object of the present invention to provide reflux pants which are 
provided in one size which can fit a variety of babies. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide reflux pants which 
provide VELCRO fasteners at the side so that diapers may be changed 
without completely repositioning the baby. This feature is particularly 
important when the baby is on a ventilator or has a tube in its mouth and 
which leads into its lungs. These tubes can be pulled out rather easily 
and the child can be changed with less manipulation. 
It is further an object of the present invention to provide reflux pants 
having a cross-over strap and a short strap that is safety-pinned to the 
inclined bed to help stabilize the chest of the infant. Without these 
straps, the infant can slip to one side or the other in the bed, which 
defeats the purpose of the treatment. 
It is further an object of the present invention to provide reflux pants 
which allow a large portion of the body surface of the infant to be 
exposed for observation, which is essential in sick babies. 
The reflux pants, for premature babies weighing less than 2500 grams, are 
patterned after a diaper with straps attached. The bottom portion is 
diaper shaped. The top portion consists of H-shaped straps fastened to the 
front. The straps cross over in the back and attach to the back of the 
diaper portion using VELCRO. The sides of the diaper include VELCRO strips 
to make changing the baby simple. On the front of the H-shaped straps are 
tabs that can be pinned to the bed to prevent the baby from sliding in any 
direction. 
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the reflux pants for 
maintaining an infant having gastroesophageal reflux at a predetermined 
position on an inclined surface include means for stabilizing the upper 
torso of the infant. The means for stabilizing are adapted to be removably 
attached to the inclined bed for maintaining the infant in the 
predetermined position on the inclined bed. The reflux pants also include 
fastening means for removably attaching the means for stabilizing to the 
inclined bed and supporting means connected to the means for stabilizing 
for supporting the lower torso in the predetermined position. 
The supporting means consists of pants adapted to fit on the lower torso of 
the infant. The pants include two leg holes into which the legs of the 
infant can be inserted, and means for opening the pants located 
substantially on at least one side of the pants. 
The means for stabilizing consists of long straps each having one end 
releasably attached to the means for supporting. Another end of each strap 
is fixedly attached to the means for supporting. 
The fastening means includes at least one short tab connected to the means 
for supporting, and at least one safety pin adapted to be pinned to the at 
least one tab. The tabs are shorter than the straps. 
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the reflux pants for 
maintaining an infant having gastroesophageal reflux at a predetermined 
upright position on an inclined surface include a substantially 
rectangular panel adapted to be removably fastened around the lower torso 
of the infant in a closed position, strap means adapted to be releasably 
fastened around the upper torso of the infant, and fastening means for 
removably fastening the reflux pants to the inclined surface. 
The substantially rectangular panel consists of a front portion adapted to 
be folded to cover the front of the lower torso of the infant, a rear 
portion adapted to be folded to cover the rear of the lower torso of the 
infant, and a middle portion between having a width smaller than the 
widths of the front portion and the rear portion. The front end rear 
portions each have an upper free end. When the substantially rectangular 
panel is in the closed position, openings are formed for receiving the 
legs of the infant. 
The front portion includes first means for removably attaching the strap 
means to the upper free end of the front portion, and second means for 
removably attaching the upper free end of the rear portion to the upper 
free end of the front portion. The reflux pants also includes third means 
for removably attaching the strap means to the rear portion. The first, 
second, and third means for attaching comprises VELCRO strips. 
The strap means consists of an H-shaped strap which includes two long 
sidearms. The long sidearms include first lower ends fixed to the front 
portion and second upper ends adapted to fold over the shoulders of the 
infant to be removably attached to the rear portion by the third means for 
removably attaching. The H-shaped strap also includes a transverse short 
arm connected between the two long sidearms at a given position along the 
sidearms. 
The reflux pants also include two short tabs attached to the two long 
sidearms for removably attaching the reflux pants to the inclined surface 
by the fastening means. The fastening means consists of two safety pins 
adapted to pin the two short tabs to the inclined surface. 
A pair of reflux pants are provided which are adapted to maintain an infant 
having gastroesophageal reflux at a predetermined position on an inclined 
surface; the pants comprise a front panel and a rear panel, the front and 
rear panels being integrally connected to each other by a fold line at 
respective lower surfaces thereof and having upper surfaces which are 
adapted to be selectively or detachably attached to each other by 
releasable connecting means. Two substantially parallel elongated straps 
extend upwardly from an upper edge of said front panel, said two elongated 
straps being connected by a third, relatively short strap attached to both 
of said parallel straps and being generally transversely arranged with 
respect to said straps and generally parallel with respect to said upper 
edge of said front panel. Each of said elongated straps has a first end 
attached to said front panel and a second, free end, which free ends are 
adapted to be detachably connected to a front surface of said rear panel 
when positioned about an infant. The reflux pants further comprise 
relatively short fourth and fifth straps extending from rear surfaces of 
said first and second straps, respectively, said fourth and fifth straps 
each having a first end attached to said first and second straps, 
respectively, and a second, free end, wherein the free ends of each of 
said fourth and fifth straps comprise means for attaching said pants to an 
inclined surface. The elongated straps are crisscrossed adjacent central 
portions thereof. 
The first and second straps and the front and rear panels of the pants 
comprise means for stabilizing the upper torso of the infant when said 
infant is positioned at said predetermined position on said inclined 
surface. The pants further comprise first and second leg holes which 
separate side edges of said front and rear panels from each other, said 
leg holes comprising means for receiving respective legs of an infant. 
Each of said fourth and fifth straps includes at least one safety pin 
which is pinned to said free end and which is adapted to be attached to 
said inclined surface. 
The free ends of said first and second straps are attached to said front 
surface of said rear panel, said front and rear panels are attached to 
each other at said lower edge and at respective upper portions thereof, 
and said first and second substantially parallel straps are crossed over 
each other at respective intermediate portions of said first and second 
elongated straps. 
Further, a blank of material can be provided which is adapted to be folded 
into a pair of reflux pants for maintaining an infant having 
gastroesophageal reflux at a predetermined position on an inclined 
surface. The blank comprises a panel having first and second opposed end 
edges, said first and second end edges being substantially parallel to 
each other, and first and second side edges, each of said first and second 
side edges having first linear portions parallel to each other which are 
connected to opposite sides of said first end edge and second linear 
portions parallel to each other which are connected to opposite sides of 
said second side edge, said first and second linear portions along each of 
said first and second side edges being adjacent to curved portions of said 
arcuate cut outs which extend towards each other. The panel thus comprises 
first and second substantially wide panel portions along said first and 
second end edges and a third, relatively narrow portion integrally 
attached to said first and second panel portions and located between said 
first and second panel portions; said panel has an upper surface and a 
lower surface. 
Attachment means for connecting the lower surface of said first panel 
portion to the upper surface of said second panel portion, and said 
attachment means are located on said first panel lower surface and said 
second panel upper surface, respectively. 
Each of said elongated straps has a first end attached to an underside of 
said first panel portion lower surface and a second, free end spaced away 
from said first end edge of said panel, wherein each of the free ends of 
said first and second straps include, on respective upper surfaces 
thereof, means for attaching said first and second substantially parallel 
straps to the lower surface of said second panel portion, said second 
panel portion comprising means for attaching said second panel portion to 
said free ends of said first and second straps. A third strap connects 
said first and second straps to each other and is positioned in a 
substantially transverse fashion with respect to said first and second 
straps. A fourth strap is attached to a lower surface of said first strap, 
and a fifth strap is attached to a lower surface of said second strap, 
respectively. 
Safety pins are attached to said free ends of said fourth and fifth straps, 
respectively. These safety pins comprise means for attaching said blank, 
when in a folded position, to an inclined surface. The blank is adapted to 
be folded into a pair of reflux pants, wherein when the blank is folded, 
said first and second end edges are attached to each other, respective leg 
holes for receiving respective legs of an infant are formed by said 
respective recesses, said first and second elongated straps are folded 
downwardly and crossed over each other, and the free ends of said first 
and second straps are attached to the front surface of said second panel 
portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
FIG. 1 illustrates the reflux pants according to the present invention as 
they would appear on an infant laying face down on a surface. The reflux 
pants comprise a main torso portion 2 which covers the waist, hips, and 
crotch area, that is, the lower torso, of the baby 1. As shown from the 
rear, rear straps 3 and 4 cross each other at a point 5 substantially in 
the center of the infant's back. These criss-cross straps operate to 
stabilize the infant's chest in the proper position on the inclined 
surface. The pants further include upper tabs 6 and 7 which extend beyond 
the main body of the straps of the reflux pants. The free ends of tabs 6 
and 7 are adapted to be attached to the inclined bed by, for example, 
safety pins 8 and 9, or by some other means for removably attaching tabs 6 
and 7 to the bed. 
FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the reflux pants according to the 
present invention. The reflux pants include an H-shaped strap with 
sidearms 23 and 24 and transverse arm 21. Tabs 6 and 7 are shorter than 
sidearms 23 and 24. The top portions of sidearms 23 and 24 of the H-shaped 
strap fold over towards the rear of the baby and form rear straps 3 and 4. 
The baby is inserted into the pants and his legs extend from leg holes 25 
and 26. 
FIG. 3 illustrates the reflux pants of the present invention in their open 
position. Main body portion 2 comprises front portion 41 which covers the 
front of the baby when the pants are worn. Main body portion 2 also 
includes rear portion 42 which covers the rump of the baby when the baby 
is wearing the pants. The middle portion 43 consists of arcuate portions 
39 and 40, which form the leg holes 25 and 26 when the reflux pants are 
folded into the diaper shaped pants. When rear portion 42 is folded over 
to meet front portion 41, VELCRO strips 35 and 36 meet and are attached to 
corresponding VELCRO portions 33 and 34. In this manner, the diaper is 
easily opened and closed. Wherever the word VELCRO is used hereinafter, it 
has a conventional meaning, i.e., there is one member having a plurality 
of loops and a second member having a plurality of hooks, which loops and 
hooks are adapted to releasably engage each other and facilitate 
engagement of two portions of the pants herein. 
VELCRO portions 37 and 38, fitted to the outside of rear portion 42, are 
adapted to receive the VELCRO portions 31 and 32 attached to the top free 
ends of rear straps 3 and 4 of the H-shaped strap. When the pants are 
folded to form the diaper portion, rear straps 3 and 4 are folded over the 
shoulder of the baby and criss-crossed on the back of baby. The VELCR0 
strips 31 and 32 on rear straps 3 and 4 meet VELCRO portions 37 and 38 to 
secure the reflux pants on the baby. 
Tabs 6 and 7 extend from the front portion of straps 23 and 24 and are 
adapted to be attached to the inclined surface by safety pins 8 and 9, as 
shown in FIG. 1. 
The reflux pants according to the present invention are made of material 
such as cotton or other washable material which can be sewn according to 
the pattern shown in the accompanying drawings. In order to place the baby 
in the resting position within the pants, the baby is laid face down on 
the open pants as shown in FIG. 3. The rear portion 42 is folded up 
between the legs of the baby as would be done for a normal pair of 
diapers. VELCRO strips 35 and 36 appearing on the inside of the rear 
portion 42, are attached to VELCRO strips 33 and 34 appearing on the 
outside of front portion 41. Rear straps 3 and 4 are folded back and are 
folded over the shoulders of the baby and criss-crossed in the center of 
the baby's back. Straps 3 and 4 are attached by fitting VELCRO strips 31 
and 32 to VELCRO strips 37 and 38 appearing on the outside of rear portion 
42. The pants are then pinned, using tabs 6 and 7 and safety pins 8 and 9, 
to the inclined bed 10. In this way, the infant's inclined position is 
assured, with both the chest and torso portions of the baby being 
stabilized. FIG. 4 illustrates, the reflux pants in the folded position, 
as shown from the rear. 
Although the invention has been described with particular reference to a 
specific embodiment, it is understood that the invention contemplates any 
modifications within the skill of one of ordinary skill in the art and 
within the scope of the claims.