Abstract:
A method is disclosed for treating/preventing positional plagiocephaly. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a flat, horizontal first surface and a second surface adjacent the flat surface, the second surface being inclined such that a first side of the second surface is higher than an opposite second side; (b) placing and resting the infant on the first and second surfaces with the infant&#39;s head on the second surface and with the infant&#39;s shoulders and back on the first surface; (c) after the infant has finished resting, removing the infant from the surfaces; (d) tilting the second surface in an opposite direction such that the first side of the second surface is lower than the second side; (e) when the infant is ready to rest again, placing and resting the infant on the first and second surfaces with the infant&#39;s head on the second surface and with the infant&#39;s shoulders and back on the first surface; and (f) repeating steps (a) through (e) until the infant reaches an age at which the infant&#39;s head is no longer susceptible to positional plagiocephaly. In this manner, the infant sleeps on different sides of its head each time the infant is placed on the surfaces.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally pertains to beds and mattresses, and more particularly to infant cribs and mattresses. The present invention also relates to a method of treating positional plagiocephaly. 
     Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a devastating problem with no known cause. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended years ago that babies should sleep on their backs on the assumption that part of the SIDS problem might be related to infants suffocating face down in their cribs. The Back to Sleep program began nationwide, and the results have been analyzed. A clear statistical reduction in SIDS deaths occurred after the program was installed. 
     Some time after the program started, doctors began seeing an increasing number of babies with distorted heads. A number were treated with extensive surgery. Later, it became clear that the distortion, mostly flatness of the back and side of the head, was a direct result of the sleeping position. The weight of the brain on the thin skull bone changes the growth rate, and a progressive deformity occurs for the first four to six months of life. Once infants have a flat spot on their skull, the flatness becomes exacerbated due to the inability of the infants to move their heads once lying on the flat spot due to the general weakness all infants exhibit in their necks. 
     Historically, several cultures experienced similar positional distortions. The Plains American Indians, by strapping infants to the papoose, caused uniform flatness of the back of the head. The present condition of positional plagiocephaly causes similar skull and neck distortions. 
     Therapeutic programs to correct the distortion developed, including physical therapy and helmet molding or pressure relief programs. These programs assist some in the correction of the several characteristic shape presentations. 
     To date, only presumptive circumstances can be used as predictors as to which babies will develop the deformity (large males, twins, and preemies). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for treating and preventing positional plagiocephaly. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of: (a) providing a flat, horizontal first surface and a second surface adjacent the flat surface, the second surface being inclined such that a first side of the second surface is higher than an opposite second side; (b) placing and resting the infant on the first and second surfaces with the infant&#39;s head on the second surface and with the infant&#39;s shoulders and back on the first surface; (c) after the infant has finished resting, removing the infant from the surfaces; (d) tilting the second surface in an opposite direction such that the first side of the second surface is lower than the second side; (e) when the infant is ready to rest again, placing and resting the infant on the first and second surfaces with the infant&#39;s head on the second surface and with the infant&#39;s shoulders and back on the first surface; and (f) repeating steps (a) through (e) until the infant reaches an age at which the infant&#39;s head is no longer susceptible to positional plagiocephaly. In this manner, the infant sleeps on different sides of its head each time the infant is placed on the surfaces. 
     To achieve this method, an infant bed is provided that comprises a flat, horizontal first surface on which to lay the infant&#39;s back and shoulders, and means for providing and tilting a second surface on which to lay the infant&#39;s head during periods of rest. The means for tilting enables the second surface to be tilted to either of two sides to cause the infant to alternatingly sleep on different sides of its head. 
     These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an infant crib constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mattress for an infant bed constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mattress support used in the infant bed shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of a mattress support and mattress constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention shown tilted to a first side; 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of a mattress support and mattress constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention shown tilted to a second opposite side; 
     FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a turn handle used to tilt a portion of the mattress constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the turning handle taken along line VII—VII shown in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 shows a face plate and aperture for receiving the turn crank shown in FIGS. 6 and 7; 
     FIG. 9 shows a wedge forming a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the wedge of FIG. 9 placed on a mattress; and 
     FIG. 11 is a front view of a partially wedge-shaped mattress portion constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As mentioned above and explained in more detail below, the present invention relates to an infant bed and a method of treating, preventing, and reducing the risk of positional plagiocephaly in infants. The method may be practiced using the inventive infant bed. In general, the method involves alternatingly tilting sideways a portion of the mattress surface on which the infant&#39;s head is laid, while maintaining the portion of the mattress surface on which the infant&#39;s back and shoulders are laid, in a flat, horizontal position. By tilting the portion of the mattress underlying the infant&#39;s head sideways, the infant will sleep with its head facing down the slope of the tilted mattress portion. Because the infant generally lacks the muscles to move its head to sleep on the other side of its head against the slope of the mattress, the infant will not sleep on the other side of its head. In this manner, the infant will sleep on one side of its head one night, and sleep on the other side of its head on the next night in a controlled manner. By alternating the side of the infant&#39;s head on which the infant sleeps each night (or on some other periodic basis), the infant will not develop the flat spots in its skull that are symptomatic of positional plagiocephaly. 
     The portion of the mattress surface on which the infant&#39;s back and shoulders are laid should be maintained in a generally flat, horizontal orientation. Otherwise, if that portion of the mattress surface is tilted, the infant will tend to roll over on its side or stomach and thus be more susceptible to SIDs. The steps of tilting the head portion of the mattress to different sides every other night should be continued through about the first four to ten months after the infant&#39;s due date. Infants that are born premature or are neurologically impaired may be susceptible to a greater age. 
     The method of the present invention may be implemented using a variety of different means. Broadly speaking, an infant bed constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a flat, horizontal first surface on which to lay the infant&#39;s back and shoulders and means for providing and laterally tilting a second surface on which the infant&#39;s head is laid during periods of rest. The tilting means enables the second surface to be tilted to either of two sides. 
     The infant bed may be a crib, cribbette, cradle, bassinet, or any other structure in which an infant may be placed in a generally horizontal position for any extended period of time. An “infant bed,” as used and described herein, would not include an adult-sized bed, and therefore, has a sleeping surface length of approximately five feet or less. The means for laterally tilting the portion of the second surface may include structures disposed within the crib mattress, within a box spring, within the mattress support, or in any combination thereof. Alternatively, the tilting means may include a wedge-shaped pillow or foam pad that may be placed on top of a mattress. An example of such a wedge is shown in FIGS. 9-11 and described in detail below. The wedge may be repositioned and reoriented each night to cause the infant to rest its head on opposite sides each night. 
     FIG. 1 shows an infant crib  10  constructed according to a first embodiment. Infant crib  10  is shown in FIG. 1 without the plurality of side spindles that would normally be provided on such a crib, solely for purposes of illustration. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that such a crib would include a plurality of vertical spindles spaced equally apart surrounding the crib mattress or other structure to prevent the infant from falling out of the crib. Crib  10  as illustrated includes a frame portion  12  that includes a mattress support frame  14  for supporting a mattress  16 . Mattress  16  includes two portions  18  and  20 . 
     As shown in detail in FIG. 2, first portion  18  (or body portion) of mattress  16  includes a top surface  24  that is bounded by a first side  26 , a second side  28  opposite first side  26 , a rear end  30 , and a front end  32 . Second portion  20  (or the head portion) of mattress  16  includes an upper surface  34  that is bounded on all four sides by a first side  36 , a second side  38  opposite first side  36 , a front end  40 , and a rear end  42  that abuts front end  32  of first mattress portion  18 . As described further below, mattress portions  18  and  20  are not physically joined unless by means of a mattress cover or sheets, such that head portion  20  of mattress  16  may be pivoted about a longitudinal axis to laterally tilt surface  34  from side to side. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, mattress support  14  includes a rectangular mattress frame  44  that extends around the perimeter of mattress  16  and rigidly connects portions of frame  12 . Mattress frame  44  includes a front frame member  46 , a rear frame member  48 , and two side frame members  50  and  52  extending between frame members  46  and  48 . Frame members  46 - 52  are typically vertically oriented steel plates having dimensions slightly larger than the mattress, such that the mattress may fit within mattress frame  44 . To support first mattress portion  18 , mattress frame  44  further includes a mid-frame member  54  that extends between side frame members  50  and  52  so as to extend vertically upward between mattress portions  18  and  20 . Mattress frame  44  further includes a horizontal frame portion  56  that extends horizontally inward from the bottom edge of frame members  48 ,  50 ,  52 , and  54  so as to provide support for mattress portion  18 . As conventional in the art, a plurality of springs or other support beams (not shown) may extend between horizontal frame portions  56  across the area defined by members  48 - 54  so as to provide sufficient support for mattress portion  18 . Alternatively, a box spring may be provided to support mattress  16 . In general, mattress support  14  supports first mattress portion  18  such that its upper surface  24  is maintained in a generally flat, horizontal position, as would be the case for a conventional mattress and mattress support assembly. 
     Mattress support structure  14  differs, however, from a conventional frame structure in that it includes a subframe assembly  58  that is pivotally attached to mattress frame  44  for supporting second mattress portion  20 . As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, subframe assembly  58  includes a front frame member  60 , a rear frame member  62 , and two side frame members  64  and  66 . Frame members  60 - 66  are arranged as vertical walls and are generally made of steel. Subframe assembly  58  generally has dimensions slightly larger than second mattress portion  20  so as to extend around the lower perimeter of mattress portion  20 . Subframe assembly  58  is also dimensioned to be slightly smaller than frame structure  44  so as to fit within an opening defined between front end  46 , mid frame member  54 , and side frame members  50  and  52 . To support mattress portion  20  within subframe assembly  58 , a horizontal frame structure  68  is provided that extends inwardly from the lower edges of frame members  60 - 66 . 
     Subframe assembly  58  is pivotally mounted between front frame member  46  and mid-frame member  54  by means of an axle  70 . Axle  70  is generally welded or otherwise secured to subframe assembly  58  while passing through apertures in frame members  46  and  54 , such that axle  70  may rotate within those apertures. Axle  70  may also be fixedly attached to a handle  22  so as to allow a person to pivot and tilt mattress portion  20  using handle  22 . 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the manner by which mattress  16  and mattress support  14  may be combined to provide the requisite tilting of a portion of the sleeping surface from side to side that allows the infant&#39;s head to be rested on an inclined surface  34  while maintaining the infant&#39;s back and shoulders on a flat horizontal surface  24 . 
     FIG. 6 shows a preferred turn handle structure for mounting handle  22  and subframe assembly  58  within mattress frame  44 . As shown in FIGS. 6-8, axle  70  extends through an aperture  72  formed in front frame member  46  and thereafter is bent approximately 90 degrees, such that a handle  74  may be attached. As shown in FIG. 6, axle  70  may be welded or soldered as designated by numeral  76  to front frame member  60  of subframe assembly  58 . An additional reinforcement plate  78  or lock nut  80  may be utilized to reinforce the attachment of axle  70  to subframe assembly  58 . While axle  70  is generally described as being formed of an elongated cylindrical rod, it will be appreciated that it may have virtually any other shape. As described below, however, it is preferable that axle  70  is at least round in cross section near the end that passes through aperture  72  in front frame member  46  so as to allow rotation of axle  70  within aperture  72 . 
     To allow subframe assembly  56  to be moved and then locked into a tilted position, a fin  82  extends radially outward from a portion of axle  70  for fitting within and engaging respective key slots  84   a - 84   c.  As best illustrated in FIG. 8, one key slot  84   b  would extend vertically upward without inclination, which would represent the key slot in which fin  82  should be inserted to maintain subframe assembly  58  in a level horizontal position, whereas key slots  84   a  and  84   c  are inclined such that when fin  82  is slid into one of these key slots, subframe assembly  58  is tilted into one of the respective positions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. With fin  82  firmly secured within one of slots  84   a - 84   c,  subframe assembly  58  and mattress portion  20  will be locked in a level or tilted position. 
     To allow fin  82  to be moved between slots  84   a - 84   c  while preventing accidental unlocking of the position of subframe assembly  58 , a compression spring  86  may be provided around rod  70  in between front frame member  46  of mattress frame  44  and front frame member  60  of subframe assembly  58 . This compression spring biases frame members  46  and  60  apart, thereby drawing fin  82  towards the front surface of frame member  46  so as to pull fin  82  within one of slots  84   a - 84   c  when aligned therewith. To limit the distance in which fin  82  extends through or past front frame member  46 , a second fin  88  having a flat surface  90  is provided in an opposite side of axle  70  than fin  82  so as to be pulled against the front surface of front frame member  46  and thereby keep axle  70  from extending too far past front frame member  46 . Compression spring  86  should therefore have sufficient compressive force to securely hold fin  82  within one of slots  84   a - 84   c  while nevertheless allowing a person to grasp handle  74  and exert a sufficient pulling force to pull fin  82  far enough outside one of key slots  84   a - 84   c  and rotate the handle such that fin  82  will fit within a different one of slots  84   a - 84   c.    
     Although the first embodiment has been described as using a single handle and axle to simultaneously tilt one side of second mattress portion  20  up/down while tilting the other side down/up, it will be appreciated that subframe assembly  58  could be hinged or separated into two side portions and separate handles and axles or other mechanisms could be provided to independently tilt upwards the two sides of second mattress portion  20 . Additionally, virtually any known mechanism for laterally tilting a mattress may be used to tilt second mattress portion  20 . See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,021,335; 3,013,281; 3,462,777; and 5,640,729, which disclose various mechanisms for laterally tilting all or most of a mattress or sleeping surface used for adults. 
     FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, a foam wedge  100  having an inclined surface  102 , a bottom surface  104 , and a side surface  106  is placed on top of a conventional mattress  108 . Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the wedge may provide an inclined surface similar to the inclined surface provided by the second mattress portion  20  of the first embodiment. To change the direction in which surface  102  is tilted, one would simply pick up wedge  100  and align side surface  106  with the other side surface of conventional mattress  108 . Wedge  100  should have surface  102  inclined at such an angle that makes it difficult for an infant to turn its head once laid with the side of its head on inclined surface  102 . Wedge  100  should have a width that extends more than half the width of mattress  108  to ensure the infant does not slide down the inclined surface  102  off of wedge  100  and onto the flat portion of mattress  108 . On the other hand, wedge  100  cannot be so wide as to provide too large of a distance between the thickest portion of wedge  100  and the upper surface of mattress  108 . 
     Wedge  100  offers the advantage that the structure of the infant bed need not be modified to provide the advantages of the invention and allow for the practice of the inventive method. Further, wedge  100  may be picked up and moved to any infant bed or other structure in which the infant may be placed for resting. 
     FIG. 11 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, this mattress structure includes a first mattress portion  18  similar to that used in the first embodiment, which has a flat upper surface  24  that is maintained in a generally flat horizontal position. In place of second portion  20 , which is otherwise a flat mattress portion, a wedge-shaped mattress portion  110  may be utilized. Such a structure could be used in a conventional infant crib without modification to the mattress support structure. In this case, the wedge-shaped portion  110  may simply be reoriented every night, such that its inclined surface  112  is inclined to opposite sides each night. As shown in FIG. 11, the wedge-shaped mattress portion  110  may have a flat upper surface portion  114  on one side so as to prevent the distance between upper surface  24  and the upper surface of wedge-shaped mattress portion  110  from becoming too great near the side edges. A similar flat surface could be provided at the other end again to reduce the surface height differential between the mattress portions. 
     Although the structures used to serve as the means for providing and tilting a sleeping surface on which an infant&#39;s head is laid have been illustrated and described as manually manipulated structures, it will be appreciated that an automated system could be provided utilizing an electrical motor or the like to automatically tilt the sleeping surface for the infant&#39;s head. Using such automated means would allow the tilted surface to be tilted to different sides at periodic intervals throughout a single night. Alternatively, such automated means could be programmed to automatically tilt the bed surface portion to different sides each night so that the parent or guardian of the infant would not have to remember to reposition the tilting mechanism each night. 
     The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.