Infant Positioner Structure for Stable Tucked Prone Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Premature infants and those with developmental needs struggle to maintain an optimal tucked prone position outside the womb due to underdeveloped muscles and gravitational forces, which existing infant supports fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
An infant positioner made of resilient foam with specific support portions for the head, torso, pelvis, and arms, along with containment straps and leg recesses, designed to maintain the tucked prone position while allowing flexibility and comfort, simulating the in-utero environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing infant supports are used, then the infant can be positioned, but the infant cannot maintain the tucked prone position due to underdeveloped muscles and gravitational forces
Solution Approach 1:
The positioner is divided into multiple functional segments: head support portion, torso support portion, pelvis support portion, and leg support portions. Each segment is specifically shaped to support different body parts and maintain the tucked prone position against gravitational forces, allowing the infant to maintain position without requiring muscular effort.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the positioner have different structural characteristics tailored to specific body parts. The head support portion has a curved surface, the torso support portion has arm recesses, the pelvis support portion has specific curvature, and the leg support portions are shaped to accommodate flexed legs. This localized optimization enables reliable position maintenance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the infant is supported in a rigid structure, then position stability is improved, but flexibility and comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The positioner is constructed from foam material that provides structural stability while inherently offering flexibility and comfort. The foam can be molded into specific shapes (curved surfaces, recesses, and contours) that maintain position stability while adapting to the infant's body shape and providing comfort through slight deformations.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple portions of the positioner feature curved surfaces: the head support portion has a curved top surface, the pelvis support portion has a curved upper surface, and the leg support portions are rounded. These curvatures provide stable support while accommodating the infant's body contours, combining stability with adaptability and comfort.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the positioner is customized for each infant size, then fit and comfort are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioner design incorporates adjustable features and standardized modular components that can accommodate a range of infant sizes. The foam material allows for compression and adaptation to different body sizes, and the overall structure can be manufactured as a universal design that fits various infants through proper positioning and adjustment rather than requiring custom manufacturing for each size.
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
The infant positioner effectively supports premature and post-surgical infants in a developmentally appropriate position, reducing joint stress and weight-bearing impact, while allowing movement and promoting self-soothing, and can be customized to fit various sizes.
Implementation Method 1
The infant positioner is made of a resilient foam material having a density for supporting the infant
Data Source
AI summary
A device for supporting and positioning an infant, particularly a premature infant, in a tucked prone position. An elongated base layer extends lengthwise from a head end to a feet end, and includes, in order, a head support portion having a width at least sufficient to fully support the head of the infant, a torso support portion having a width sized to correspond to the width of the torso of the infant, and a pelvis support portion terminating in an upwardly extending rear support for the buttocks of the infant. Arm recesses are formed in the torso support portion, and pair of upwardly and rearwardly extending lateral supports extend lengthwise from the arm recesses to the feet end of the device. Leg recesses are defined between, on the one hand, the upwardly extending lateral supports, and, on the other hand, the pelvis support portion and the upwardly extending rear support.