WO2003030690A1

WO2003030690A1 - Positioning arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2003030690A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/004554
Authority: WO
Inventors: Clive Charles Jenkins; Jon West
Original assignee: Jenx Limited
Priority date: 2001-10-10
Filing date: 2002-10-07
Publication date: 2003-04-17
Also published as: GB0124249D0; GB2380663A

Abstract

A premature baby positioning arrangement comprising: support means; a base member; a hinge arrangement between said support means and said base member that allows the angle of incline of the support means to be adjusted.

Description

Positioning Arrangement

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a positioning arrangement for babies.

Introduction

As medical knowledge and technology have become more advanced, increasing numbers of premature babies are surviving the difficult neonatal period. However they often have problems as a consequence of their premature birth. Essentially the difficulties suffered are as a result of leaving the uterus too early for their internal organs to have developed properly.

A problem suffered by many premature babies is that of reflux. This is the abnormal backflow of fluid in body passages due to a failure of the passage's exit to close fully. Breathing trouble and low oxygen levels are another common issue, as premature babies' lungs tend to not be fully developed. Appropriate positioning can aid these difficulties.

Babies tend to be nursed in one position, usually supine (flat on their backs), for ease of monitoring and care. This can cause the babies' heads to become flatter on one side, which has not only an obvious cosmetic implication, but can also affect parent-child bonding as the parents may not feel their child is attractive.

It is important, during the first few months of life, that babies develop around the midline (i.e. in a symmetrical way). This enables them to develop hand-eye co-ordination and to, for example, bring food to their mouth. When babies are laid out supine in an incubator, very often they will adopt a position where limbs are spread out to the side, which hinders midline development. When lying flat there is also a tendency towards hyperextension of limbs, which leads to unbalanced muscle tone development.

Correct positioning soon after birth can vastly increase the likelihood of the baby developing normally. Prone (front) and lateral (side) positioning are often the best ways for babies to be nursed in order to reduce stress and increase oxygen levels. However, these positions are often not appropriate due to the increased risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

Currently, nurses use pillows and rolled up towels in order to prop the babies up into a better position. This is far from ideal however, as there is always a risk of suffocation, and the padding is often dislodged out of the correct place. The babies therefore require extra monitoring, which is a strain on nurses' time.

The present invention seeks to address and reduce these problems with caring for premature babies.

Brief Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a premature baby positioning arrangement comprising: support means; a base member; a hinge arrangement between said support means and said base member that allows the angle of inclination of the support means to be adjusted.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawings

How the invention may be carried out will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a first perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 but incorporating a detachable nest;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a disposable cover for use with the embodiment of Figure 6.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Figures 1 & 2

The premature baby positioning arrangement consists essentially of a support means 101 hinged at 102 to a base member 103. The support means 101 consists of two planar structures, a seat portion 104 and a back portion 105, manufactured from a single sheet of a suitable material such as sheet metal, wood laminate or moulded plastic, bent at 106. The base member 103 consists of a U-shaped metal tube which is hinged at 102 to a further U-shaped tube, seen in Figure 2 at 201 , which forms a supporting frame for the support means 101. Support means 101 is attached to the support frame 112 by rivets or screws 107. The base member 103 has a cushion 108 at its apex. The angle of the support means 101 in relation to the base member 103 can be adjusted, by sliding spigots 109 in slots 110 and locking them in position by tightening the knurled knobs 111. This allows for the baby to be positioned at different angles, depending on the individual needs, for example to relieve reflux or assist with breathing difficulties. Varying the angle at which the baby is held is also important in order to alter the effect of gravity on the limbs. Although not illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the support means 101 would in practice carry a soft nest similar to those shown in Figures 5 and 7, in order to provide comfort and security for the baby.

Figures 3 to 5

The premature baby positioning arrangement in this embodiment consists essentially of a supporting means 301 which is manufactured from a suitable material such as sheet metal, wood laminate or moulded plastic and is planar in structure with protruding lips 302a, 302b, 302c, and 302d around its edge, and a base member 303 which is manufactured from metal tubing. The supporting means 301 is fixed to an H-shaped support frame 401 by rivets 304, the support frame 401 being hinged at 402 to base member 303, as can be seen in Figure 4.

The inclination of the supporting means 301 can be adjusted by a telescopic support strut 403, which interconnects the support means 301 and the base member 303. The telescopic support strut is lockable in the selected position by tightening an adjustment knob 404. As shown in Figure 5, the positioning arrangement of Figures 3 and

4 is in practice provided with a detachable nest 501 to accommodate the premature baby.

The nest 501 comprises an outer roll 502, a lower roll 503, a back panel 504 and a harness 505. The outer roll 502 keeps the baby secure and provides resistance against movement, which is important for muscle development. The lower roll 503 supports the baby's weight and the baby's legs trail over this roll, keeping them bent and thus preventing hyperextension. The harness 505 keeps the baby in the correct position and prevents the baby from falling out. The back panel 504 is divided at groove 506 to encourage the baby's spine into a straight line, thus aiding symmetrical development.

Figures 6 & 7

These figures illustrate an alternative construction for the nest 501 of Figure 5. In this arrangement the nest consists essentially of a relatively rigid plastic former 601 on which is mounted several relatively soft pads 602, 603,

604, and 605. An easily detachable disposable soft liner 701 fits over the former 601 and pads 602 to 605 and is held in position by its elasticated edges 702 and 703.

The pads 602 and 603 are contoured to provide support to the baby, and keep the baby in a good position. A groove 606 in between pads 602 and 603 keeps the baby's spine straight. Pad 604 supports the baby's head, whilst pad 605 supports the legs and keeps them partially bent, thus making hyperextension less likely.

The liner 701 makes the arrangement comfortable for the baby, and is hygienic due to its disposability. The liner 701 can be constructed in a variety of ways, possibly to be similar to a disposable nappy. The liner could also be made of a durable construction which although providing the necessary comfort for the baby would be washable and reusable.

As indicated earlier the present invention is particularly concerned with improving the caring of premature babies during the neonatal period.

To this end the nests 501, 601/701 of Figures 5, 6/7 respectively are designed, to as far as practicable, simulate the kind of support the baby would have if it were still in its mother's womb.

Constructions other than those described and illustrated may be employed. For example the desired contours and "give" or softness of the nest 501, or 601/701 could be achieved by means of an inflatable construction. An overriding design criteria for the surface(s) of the nest is that it should be sufficiently soft not to abrade the premature baby's skin which is very soft and delicate. As indicated earlier the general purpose of the present invention is to control the posture of a premature baby during the neonatal period to not only optimise the posture as such but also to facilitate the correct functioning of the baby's internal organs.

The lateral containing of the baby's torso by the elements 502, 504 and 506 (and their equivalents in Figures 6/7) and the bending of the baby's knees by the roll 503 are important factors in achieving these objectives.

The bending of the baby's knees by the roll 503 serves to release tension on the baby's abdominal muscles and thus ease the digestive process.

Claims

1. A premature baby positioning arrangement comprising: support means; a base member; a hinge arrangement between said support means and said base member that allows the angle of inclination of the support means to be adjusted.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, where said hinge arrangement has a mechanism for locking the support means at different angles of incline.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said hinge arrangement consists of a slot at the front of each side of said support means, each incorporating a spigot and a knob which, when tightened, allows it to be locked off at any position.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said hinge arrangement takes the form of a telescopic arrangement which can be locked at any selected position.

5. Apparatus according to any claims 1 to 4, wherein said support means is planar.

6. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said base member is constructed of tubular metal.

7. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said support means is a moulded former to provide extra support.

8. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein said support means has a protruding lip at one or more of its edges.

9. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, including the provision of a detachable soft nest.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said detachable soft nest is made of disposable material.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein said detachable soft nest has a harness to keep the baby secure.

12. Apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein said detachable soft nest has a central groove.

13. Apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein said detachable soft nest has an outer roll to give support.

14. Apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 13, including the provision of an additional inner roll for very small babies.

15. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a thin liner is used in place of the detachable soft nest.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said thin liner is disposable.

17. A premature baby positioning arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in either Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 3 to 5 or Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.