Inclined Crawling Platform for Infants With Low Muscle Tone
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Infants with low body tone face challenges in crawling due to the need to support their head and chest, which hinders their ability to express maximal arm and leg muscle activity for propulsion, and existing devices are not designed for newborns or those with motor delays.
Innovation Solution
A device with a platform that inclines the chest-supporting surface, allowing the pelvis and legs to remain in contact with the training surface while raising the chest, enabling infants to use their arm and leg muscles maximally for propulsion, and includes features like rolling elements, stabilizing arms, and a harness coat for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the infant's head and chest are manually raised off the floor during crawling training, then the infant's forward propulsion is improved, but the infant's muscle activity is not maximized due to dependency on manual support
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables the infant to independently support their own head and chest weight through the inclined platform, eliminating dependency on manual support while maximizing muscle activity. The infant's body weight naturally creates the inclination angle needed for effective crawling propulsion.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform is shaped to create a specific inclination angle (between 15° and 30°) relative to the training surface, transforming the flat surface into an inclined plane that automatically supports the infant's upper body while allowing leg and arm muscle engagement for propulsion.
2Ease of operation
If a flat platform is used for infant crawling training, then the infant can remain in contact with the training surface, but the chest and head block forward propulsion
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is designed with an asymmetric inclination where the chest-supporting surface is at a higher angle than the pelvis area. This asymmetric geometry allows the upper body to be elevated for propulsion while keeping the lower body in contact with the training surface for effective movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform introduces a vertical dimension by creating an inclined surface at angles between 15° and 30°, transforming the two-dimensional flat contact into a three-dimensional configuration that simultaneously achieves chest elevation and pelvic contact with the training surface.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables newborns and infants with motor delays to crawl and develop motor skills by maximizing the use of their arm and leg muscles, improving muscle tone and coordination, as demonstrated by experimental results showing increased crawling distance and muscle symmetry.
Implementation Method 1
rolling elements rotatably mounted on the platform and located between the platform and the training surface
Data Source
AI summary
Device for assisting crawling of an infant (2) on a training surface comprising: - a platform (1) comprising a chest supporting surface for supporting a chest of the infant (2) resting on the platform (1) in a prone position, and - rolling elements (9) rotatably mounted on the platform in such a way they can rotate 360 degrees (1) and arranged to be located between the platform (1) and the training surface, wherein the platform (1) is shaped so that, when the rolling elements (9) are in contact with the training surface, the chest supporting surface of the platform (1) is inclined relative to the training surface, so that the pelvis and the legs of the infant (2) are in contact with the training surface.