Repositionable Bolster Support for Breathable Infant Head Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support systems for infants and individuals with physical challenges lack adjustability, breathability, and ventilation, leading to discomfort and increased risks of positional plagiocephaly and breathing difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A support system with repositionable elastomeric bolsters and a breathable panel of material that can be adjusted to accommodate different sizes and needs, featuring a foldable frame and various securing mechanisms to ensure comfortable and safe positioning, preventing positional plagiocephaly and ensuring unobstructed breathing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If infants sleep exclusively on their backs in a supine position, then the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is reduced, but the posterior portion of the skull tends to flatten leading to positional plagiocephaly
Solution Approach 1:
The support system divides the head support function into multiple segments: a first head support portion for the occipital region and a second head support portion for the parietal region. This segmentation allows different parts of the head to be supported independently, preventing flat spots while maintaining safe supine positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system applies different support characteristics to different regions of the head. The first head support portion provides support at a first location while the second head support portion provides support at a second location, creating localized support zones that prevent pressure concentration and skull deformation.
2Reliability
If prior art support systems are used, then basic positioning support is provided, but they lack adjustability to accommodate different sizes and changing needs of infants and children
Solution Approach 1:
The support system incorporates movable and adjustable components that allow the head support portions to be repositioned and reconfigured. The adjustable nature enables the system to adapt to infants and children of different sizes and developmental stages, providing dynamic support as needs change.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system is designed to serve multiple functions and accommodate multiple users. It can be used for infants, children, and even adults with positioning needs, and can be reconfigured for different positioning requirements, making it a universal solution rather than a single-purpose device.
3Reliability
If prior art support arrangements are used, then positioning support is provided, but they lack breathability and ventilation leading to discomfort and overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The support system incorporates breathable and ventilated materials in its construction. These porous or ventilated materials allow air circulation through the support surfaces, preventing heat buildup and discomfort while maintaining effective positioning support for the occupant.
4Ease of operation
If infants spend extended periods in infant seats with flat and inflexible support, then transportation and feeding are facilitated, but the back of the child's head resting on the support surface contributes to positional plagiocephaly
Solution Approach 1:
The head support portions are designed with curved or contoured surfaces that conform to the natural shape of an infant's or child's head. This curvature provides ergonomic support that maintains proper head alignment and prevents flat spots, replacing the flat, inflexible surfaces of traditional infant seats.
Data Source
AI summary
A support system with repositionable bolsters with a panel of material, which can comprise elastomeric mesh, and bolsters repositionably securable to the panel of material. The panel of material can be retained relative to a bed or other structure or by a frame, which can be foldable. The bolsters, which can be formed with a breathable mesh shell, can be secured to the panel of material by a plurality of extendable and retractable fingers for being received through apertures in the panel of elastomeric material, by at least one expansible structure for being received through the apertures in the panel of elastomeric material and expanded, or by pivotable arms adjustable between generally parallel and non-parallel dispositions. The support system can be used independently or incorporated within a crib, bassinet, car seat, high chair, swing, bouncing seat or support, or any other support structure.