Abstract:
An infant positioning device which provides the ability to move an infant, a preterm infant, and/or a newborn between and including a supine, prone, or side-lying position, with little or no tactile stimulation of the infant caused by human touch.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for supporting infants and, in particular, to devices and methods for positioning infants which avoids undesired tactile stimulation of the infant. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The sense of touch in a human being is highly developed in utero. Therefore, even the very immature preterm neonate has an acute tactile sensitivity. Tactile stimulation (i.e. human touch) of a neonate can both arouse and soothe. In most cases, preterm neonates thrive from tactile stimulation. However, in some instances, tactile stimulation of a neonate, especially an ill preterm neonate, may result in significant physiological consequences. For example, a physiologically stable preterm neonate, when subjected to human touch, may be benefited with increased activity, a faster regaining of birth weight, less crying, and better socialization with parents and caregivers. However, in a physiologically unstable neonate, the benefits of touch may be outweighed by detrimental consequences, which may include blood pressure changes, alterations in cerebral blood flow, hypoxia as well as other stress behaviors. Premature neonates who exhibit such symptoms when touched are usually referred to as “negative touch” or minimum stimulation patients. 
     In some cases, excessive tactile stimulation, which is continuously repeated, may cause the neonate to develop a touch aversion—an association of human touch with pain or extreme discomfort. Preterm neonates that have developed an aversion to touch typically cry uncontrollably, squirm away, flail arms and legs, and recoil when touched. To avoid these consequences, preterm neonates that exhibit symptoms of touch aversion or are negative touch should receive care that includes tactile interventions, such as minimal handling and body containment. 
     One particular aspect in the care of preterm neonates that generally requires lots of touching and handling is that of positioning. The benefit of adequate and supportive body positioning for preterm and full term neonates is well known. For example, proper positioning of the preterm neonate has been shown in some studies to greatly reduce the long-term affects of prematurity. Moreover, proper positioning increases feelings of security, promotes quieting and self-control, enhances psychological stability, promotes energy conservation, reduces psychological and behavioral stress, and enables stress to be better endured. Also, the preterm neonate should be provided with a variety of positions to prevent the negative consequences of, for example, joint stretching and/or to promote and facilitate the development of muscle tone. These positions may generally range between and include a prone, a supine, and a side-lying position. It has also been shown that preterm neonates thrive when positioned to achieve full body containment, known as “nesting.” 
     Most neonate body positioning is accomplished in a make-shift manner that usually requires touching of the neonate. Unfortunately, for preterm neonates who suffer from symptoms related to negative touch or touch aversion, make-shift manners for providing positioning intervention may create a high degree of tactile stimulation caused by human touch. The excessive handling may counter any benefit derived from the positioning intervention. 
     For these reasons, what is needed is an infant positioning device which provides adequate support for an infant, including a preterm infant. The device should also provide a caregiver an ability for moving an infant between and including a supine, prone, or side-lying position, with little or no tactile stimulation for the infant caused by direct human touch. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In the present invention an infant positioning device provides support to an infant. The present invention further provides the caregiver the ability to move the infant between and including a supine, a prone, or a side-lying position, with minimal or no tactile stimulation of the infant caused by direct human touch. 
     In one aspect of the present invention a device is provided for supporting and positioning a neonate. The device includes a substantially conformable member and a plurality of support members. Each support member is moveable from a first position to a second position to facilitate the positioning of the neonate placed on the conformable member. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a positioning device is provided for positioning an infant. The device includes a substantially conforming member. Coupled to the conformable member are at least two support members, which define a torso area on a portion of the conformable member. Each of the support members is moveable from a first position to a second position. In response to the movement of at least one of the support members, the infant is repositionable from a first posture to a second posture. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for repositioning an infant is provided. The method includes positioning an infant on a positioner in a first posture; and moving a support member from a first position to a second position to reposition the infant from the first posture to a second posture. 
     In each aspect of the invention the positioning of the neonate is accomplished while avoiding physical contact between a caregiver and the neonate. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of an infant positioner in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B are simplified illustrations of top and bottom plan views of the positioner of FIG. 1; 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B are simplified illustrations of an embodiment of a support member in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 4A-4E are simplified illustrations of embodiments of the support member described in FIGS. 3A and 3B; 
     FIGS. 5A-5D are simplified illustrations of a method for positioning an infant in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 6A-6C are simplified illustrations of an alternative method for positioning an infant in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B are simplified illustrations of an alternative embodiment of the positioner of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1, shows an infant positioning device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, infant positioner  10  includes a conformable support member  12 , having a head end  14  and a foot end  16 . Coupled to infant positioner  10  are lateral support members  18  and  20 , transverse support member  22 , located at head end  14 , and transverse foot support member  24 , located at foot end  16 . In one embodiment, support members  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  may be directly coupled to a surface of conformable member  12  using a conventional fastening means, such as with VELCRO®, by stitching, zippers or with snaps. In an alternative embodiment, support members  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  may be indirectly coupled to conformable member  12 , using hollow sleeves  21 . Hollow sleeves  21  are fastened to conformable member  12  in predetermined positions, using conventional means, such as with VELCRO®, by stitching, zippers or with snaps. Support members  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  may be removably inserted into sleeves  21 , as described in more detail below. 
     As best understood with reference to FIG. 1, support members  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  may be arranged to form approximately a rectangle, with conformable support member  12  being placed over the support members. With conformable member  12  in position over the support members, support members  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  form convoluted portions  28 , which define a recessed central torso area  26 . Torso area  26  is sized and shaped by manually positioning support members  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24 . Preferably, the torso area is shaped for receiving the torso of an infant, including a preterm neonate. Although support members  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24 , have been shown arranged in a rectangle, any other geometric arrangement is considered to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, support members  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  may be positioned into a circular, a square, or a triangular arrangement. 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B, illustrate a top and bottom view, respectively, of infant positioning device  10 . FIG. 2A, shows conformable support member  12 , placed over support members  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  (not shown), to form convoluted areas  28 , which surround torso area  26 . Preferably, conformable member  12  can include any substantially flexible and comfortable material that can conform to the arrangement of support members  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  and has a density suitable for cushioning the neonate. Conformable member  12  may include, but is not limited to a padded blanket or a thin padded mattress. Although, conformable member  12  is shown in FIG. 2A as substantially a rectangular shaped member, member  12  may include any suitable geometric shape, which can be used for the intended purpose of conformable member  12  as described herein. 
     FIG. 2B, shows support members  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  coupled to bottom surface  32  of conformable member  12 . Lateral support members  18  and  20  are coupled at opposite sides of underside  32 , and extend generally from head end  14  toward foot end  16  of positioner  10 . Lateral members  18  and  20  restrict lateral movement of an infant placed in torso area  26  of positioner  10 . Typically, lateral members  18  and  20  extend at least three-quarters of the distance of the lateral length of conformable member  12 ; preferably the lateral members extend at least half of the distance. In one embodiment, lateral support members  18  and  20  may have a length of between about 10 and 20 inches, preferably about 12 inches. Although, lateral support members  18  and  20  are shown in FIG. 2B as having approximately equal lengths, in an alternative embodiment, lateral members  18  and  20  may have different lengths. 
     Transverse member  22  is coupled to under surface  32  of conformable member  12  at head end  14 . Lateral support members  18  and  20  cooperate with transverse member  22  to form torso area  26 . In one embodiment, torso area  26  can be a substantially U-shaped area, framed on all sides by convoluted areas  28 . Optionally, foot support member  24  is disposed opposite to transverse member  22  at the foot end  16  of conformable member  12 . Foot member  24  acts to close in the U-shaped area defining torso area  26 . In cooperation with the other support members, foot member  24  allows restriction of all movement of the neonate. This arrangement is generally referred to as a “nest” and provides the neonate with full body containment. Foot member  24  has been described herein as being optional; however, it should be understood that in alternative embodiments of positioner  10 , each support member  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  is removable from conformable member  12 , which makes the use of any one support member optional. For example, a caregiver may find it necessary for a given positioning intervention to use only one lateral support member in cooperation with the transverse and foot support members. 
     Lateral support members  18 ,  20 , transverse member  22 , and foot support member  24  are each typically made of a resilient material that can be conformed to a shape that provides support to the infant placed in torso area  26 . Support members  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  may be constructed in a manner similar to what are commonly referred to as bead bags or else pillows. In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 3A, each support member may be made from a collapsible bag  42  that contains a filler material  44 . In this embodiment, collapsible bag  42  may contain polystyrene beads  44 , or optionally, bag  42  may contain filler materials  44 , such as a polysilicon gel, feathers, air, liquid, resilient foam and flaxseed. The outer material of bag  42  may be made of any resilient and conformable material that is capable of holding contents within the bag, such as the above-described filler materials. Examples of bag materials include vinyl, plastic, tightly woven cloth, fleece, and the like. As shown in FIG. 3B, end  46  of bag  40  may be sealed in a conventional manner that allows for securely holding the contents. For example, a plastic bag  42  may be heat sealed or glued, whereas a cloth bag  42  may be stitched. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, support members  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  are cylindrical in shape. However, the length, width, diameter, and overall shape of the support members may be varied to provide any desired arrangement. For example, support member  40  (FIG. 3A) may be constructed in lengths and diameters that allow for adequate support of infants of variable sizes and shapes. In most cases, the support members can be at least half as long as the length of the torso portion of the neonate. Since the support members are removable and replaceable, it may be appreciated by those of skill in the art that as the neonate grows, differently sized and shaped support members may be used to accommodate such growth. 
     Each support member  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  may be directly or indirectly coupled to conformable member  12 . In one embodiment, support members  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  are coupled to conformable member  12  in a manner that allows the support members to be movable. Preferably, the movement includes pivoting or swinging support members  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  from the coupling point. In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, an exemplary support member  50  is shown coupled to conformable member  12  indirectly through hollow sleeve  52 . Hollow sleeve  52  may be coupled to member  12  using any conventional fastening means  54 , which may include sewing sleeve  52  to member  12 . Alternatively, sleeve  52  may be coupled to member  12  using, for example, a VELCRO® fastener, a tongue and groove device, a zipper, buttons, snaps, or other similar fastening means. Support member  50  is removably insertable into hollow sleeve  52 . Optionally, sleeve  52  may be closeable at ends  56  and  58  using conventional closing means  57 , such as VELCRO® fasteners, a zipper, buttons, snaps, or other similar means, which facilitate holding support member  50  in sleeve  52 . 
     Support member  50  is moveable between a first and a second position. Typically, the motion is a pivoting or swinging movement in the direction generally indicated by arrow  60  in FIG.  4 B. Optionally, fastening means  54  may also include an extended strip of material, as shown in FIG. 4E, which allows support member  50  not only to swing or pivot, but to be moved a distance D relative to the coupling point of fastening means  54 . In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 4C and 4D, support member  50  may be coupled directly to member  12  using any one of the above-described fastening means  54  or their equivalent. 
     FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an example, with no intention to limit the invention thereby, an embodiment of the operation of positioner  10 . In this embodiment, positioner  10  may be manipulated (i.e., rotated, pivoted, moved, etc.) so as to reposition a neonate N placed on positioner  10 . Preferably, the infant is repositioned without requiring the caregiver to directly touch the infant. 
     FIGS. 5A-5C show a rear end view of positioner  10  with a neonate N positioned in torso area  26 . Additional support members are not shown for ease of illustration. In this example, neonate N is in a side-lying position as indicated by the direction of the neonate&#39;s feet. To support neonate N, support members  18  and  20  are snugged up against neonate N, and may optionally be turned in under the infant. Once neonate N is placed in torso area  26 , support members  18  and  20  may be manipulated from below conformable member  12 , such that there is no direct touching necessary between the neonate and the caregiver. 
     To reposition neonate N, torso area  26  may be expanded by pivoting, swinging, or otherwise moving one or both of support members  18  and  20 . For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, support member  20  is pivoted or rolled, such that torso area  26  is made larger, so neonate N can be rolled over in the direction indicated by arrow  64 . Preferably, neonate N rolls as member  20  is being moved away, so that neonate N is supported at all times during the repositioning maneuver. In this example, the neonate is made prone. However, alternatively as indicated in FIG. 5C, neonate N may be rolled back to a side lying-position, if the caregiver so desires. In this example, to perform the maneuver of FIG. 5C, support member  18  is rolled under in the direction indicated by arrow  64 , such that member  18  pushes under the neonate&#39;s body, thereby forcing the neonate to continue to roll. 
     As shown in FIG. 5D, members  18  and  20  may be moved back so as to be snugged against neonate N once neonate N is in the desired position. Those who are skilled in the art will appreciate that during the movement of support members  18  and  20 , the neonate N, whether in a prone, supine, or side-lying position, or moving therebetween, is adequately supported and protected by the support members. Moreover, because in each repositioning maneuver described above, support members  18  and  20  are moved or manipulated from below conformable surface  12 , one of skill in the art should also appreciate that there is no need for the caregiver to have to directly touch or tactily stimulate neonate N. 
     Given the above example, it will also be appreciated that the length and diameter of the support members can be changed and still cooperate with each other to perform the positioning and repositioning function. Accordingly, different support members of different lengths and different diameters can be used together as the neonate grows. Also by using support members of different lengths and different diameters, different neonates can use the same positioning device. By allowing for a variation of lengths and diameters, the care giver is given greater latitude in performing the new positioning function which suites the personal needs of the neonate and/or the care giver. 
     FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate a method for moving an infant I between a first posture and a second posture. As shown in FIG. 6A, conformable member  12  may be wrapped about lateral support members  18  and  20  to form convoluted areas  76  and  77 , such that torso area  26  is formed therebetween. Infant I is placed on conformable member  12  in torso area  26  in either a supine, a prone, or a side-lying position or in some position in-between. Each of the lateral support members may then be positioned snugly against infant I. Once the infant I is to be moved, either lateral member  18  or  20 , and in some instances both, may be unrolled in the direction shown by arrow  70 , such that convolution  77  is unfurled. Infant I can then simultaneously, or when desired, roll in the direction indicated by arrow  72  from a side-lying position to a prone position or else back to a side-lying position. Once infant I has been moved, member  20  may be re-rolled as indicated by arrows  74 , such that convolution  77  is reformed by member  20  and is snugly supporting infant I. 
     Optionally, transverse member  22 , foot member  24 , or both, may have been added to positioner  10  in the above embodiment. As described above, transverse member  22  and foot member  24  may be rolled in and out to provide support and facilitate positioning of neonate N. 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B, show an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, positioner  80  includes multiple lateral members  82 ,  84 ,  86 , and  88 , where members  82  and  84  are disposed opposite members  86  and  88 . Conformable member  12  may have slits  92  and  94 , which are directed in away from an edge of member  12  towards torso area  26 . As shown in FIG. 7B, slits  92  and  94  allow members  82 ,  84 ,  86 , and  88  to be moved independently of one another either in or out from torso area  26  to provide the caregiver with additional options for positioning and supporting infant I. In one embodiment, members  84  and  88  may be pivotally attached or hinged to members  82  and  86 , respectively. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, these embodiments are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the invention in any manner. Modifications and variations will become apparent in light of the disclosure and the following claims. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are legally and equitably entitled.