Head snuggler

Abstract

A device for treating or preventing plagiocephaly includes a head strap, pair of shoulder straps and a crotch strap which hold a patient's head correctly in a depression in a pillow section. The device can be custom fit to the characteristics of any person's head.

1 . A device for treating or preventing plagiocephaly in a patient comprising:
 a pillow section, comprising a depressed area for supporting a rear portion of the patient's head; and   a head strap, joined to the pillow section, for holding the patient's head in the depressed area;   wherein the depressed area of the pillow section is sized and shaped to treat or prevent plagiocephaly.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of:
 first and second shoulder straps, joined to the pillow section, for securing the device about the shoulders of the patient and   a crotch strap connected to the pillow section.   
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first and second shoulder straps, the crotch strap and the head strap are adjustable. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the depressed area is custom designed to fit the patient's head. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pillow section is inflatable. 
   
   
       6 . A method of preventing or treating plagiocephaly in a patient comprising:
 placing the head of the patient in a depressed area of a pillow section and   securing the pillow section to the patient, comprising fastening a strap about the head of the patient,   wherein the depressed area of the pillow section is sized and shaped to treat or prevent plagiocephaly.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 determining characteristics of the patient's head and forming at least the pillow section according to the determined characteristics.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the determining step comprises forming a mold of the patient's head. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6 , comprising diagnosing plagiocephaly in the patient. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 determining characteristics of the patient's head and   forming at least the pillow section according to the measured characteristics.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the determining step comprises forming a mold of the child's head. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising inflating the pillow section. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the securing step further comprises fastening at least of a first and second shoulder strap and a crotch strap about the patient. 
   
   
       14 . A method of manufacturing a device for treatment or prevention of plagiocephaly in a patient comprising a pillow section, the method comprising:
 obtaining characteristics of the patient's head;   forming a the pillow section according to the characteristics.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising diagnosing plagiocephaly in a patient. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising measuring the characteristics in the patient diagnosed with plagiocephaly. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the obtaining comprises analyzing a mold of the child's head. 
   
   
       18 . A kit comprising:
 a flexible mold for determining characteristics of a child's head;   instructions for applying the flexible mold to the child's head; and   instructions for sending the mold to the manufacturer and for ordering a device to prevent and/or treat plagiocephaly.