Therapeutic posturing process and devices

Abstract

A process for the therapeutic posturing of infants resides in providing one or more shape retaining cushioning devices having a first surface for receiving at least a part of an infant's body in a given position and one or more second surfaces for inhibiting movement of the given part of the infant's body from the given position, and placing an infant relative to the cushioning device or devices such that the given part of the infant's body is retained in the given position by said surfaces without unduly constraining other parts of the body. Representative therapeutic posturing devices are disclosed.

1 . A process for therapeutic posturing of an infant comprising the steps of 
 providing a shape retaining cushion having a first surface for receiving at least part of an infant's body in a given position and one or more second surfaces for inhibiting movement of the part of the infant's body from the given position, and    placing an infant's body relative to the cushion such that the given part of the infant's body is retained in said given position.    
   
   
       2 . A process for therapeutic posturing of an infant comprising the steps of 
 providing a shape retaining cushion having a first surface for receiving the torso of an infant in a given position and spaced second surfaces generally normal to the first surface for inhibiting the infant from rolling out of the given position, and    placing an infant face down on the cushion with its stomach and chest in engagement with the first surface and between the second surfaces and with its head, shoulders and arms extending beyond said surfaces.    
   
   
       3 . A process as set for in  claim 2  wherein the cushion has a base, the first surface is elevated relative to the base for posturing the infant's head in an elevated position without direct support from the cushion, and the second surfaces comprise side walls extending upwardly from the first surface and engagable by the infant's torso for inhibiting rolling of the infant's body.  
   
   
       4 . A process as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the first surface of the cushion is inclined generally upwardly from a lower portion of the infant's torso toward the top of the infant's torso.  
   
   
       5 . A process as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the first surface of the cushion is curved upwardly from generally the lower region of the infants chest to the upper region of the infant's chest for posturing the infant's shoulders, neck and head in an elevated position relative to the remainder of the infant's body.  
   
   
       6 . A process as set forth in  claim 3  including an aperture in the first surface of the cushion for accommodating a gastrointestinal port should the infant have such a port.  
   
   
       7 . A process as set forth in  claim 6  including a removable plug for closing the aperture.  
   
   
       8 . A process as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said first surface of said cushion is curved upwardly from generally the lower region of the infant's chest to the upper region of the infant's chest for posturing the infant's shoulders, neck and head in an elevated position relative to the remainder of the infant's body.  
   
   
       9 . A process as set forth in  claim 2  comprising the step of forming the cushion from a semi-resilient foam and covering the foam cushion with a conformable, removable and washable cover.  
   
   
       10 . A device for therapeutic posturing of an infant comprising a shape retaining cushion having a first surface for receiving at least part of an infant's body in a given position and one or more second surfaces for inhibiting movement of that part of the infant's body from the given position.  
   
   
       11 . A device as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said first surface is an upwardly facing surface and said one or more second surfaces comprise a pair of spaced surfaces extending generally upwardly relative to said first surface.  
   
   
       12 . A device as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said cushion has a base, said first surface is elevated relative to the base for receiving the torso of an infant's body and for posturing the infant's head in an elevated position without direct support from the cushion, and said second surfaces comprise side walls engageable by the infant's torso for inhibiting rolling of the infant's body.  
   
   
       13 . A device as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said first surface of said cushion is inclined generally upwardly from a lower portion of an infant's torso toward the top of the infant's torso.  
   
   
       14 . A device as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said first surface of said cushion is curved upwardly from generally the lower region of the infant's chest to the upper region of the infant's chest for posturing the infant's shoulders, neck and head in an elevated position relative to the remainder of the infant's body.  
   
   
       15 . A device as set forth in  claim 12  including an aperture in the first surface of the cushion for accommodating an gastrointestinal port should the infant have such a port.  
   
   
       16 . A device as set forth in  claim 15  including a removable plug for closing the aperture.  
   
   
       17 . A device as set forth in  claim 12  including, relative to an infant's torso, an aperture in the lower left region of the first surface of the cushion for accommodating a gastrointestinal port should the infant have such a port.  
   
   
       18 . A device as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said cushion is comprised of a semi-resilient foam body.  
   
   
       19 . A device as set forth in  claim 18  including a conformable soft goods cover on said body.  
   
   
       20 . A device as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said soft goods cover is removable and washable.