Apparatus for Neonatal Medical Treatment

Abstract

Apparatus are disclosed that permit positioning and restraint of medical equipment attached to an infant, as well as positioning and swaddling of the infant, to achieve close contact between the infant and a caregiver. An example apparatus includes: (a) a base having a first edge and a second edge that extend between a first end and a second end, wherein the base defines a foot pouch at the first end, (b) first and second lateral extensions each having a proximal end and a distal end, where the proximal ends of the first and second lateral extensions are coupled to the first and second edge of the base, respectively, (c) a head extension coupled to the second end of the base, and (d) at least one restraint coupled to one or more of the base, the first lateral extension, the second lateral extension, the head extension and the foot pouch.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a base having a first edge and a second edge that extend between a first end and a second end, wherein the base defines a foot pouch at the first end;   a first lateral extension having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the first lateral extension is coupled to the first edge of the base;   a second lateral extension having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the second lateral extension is coupled to the second edge of the base;   a head extension coupled to the second end of the base; and   at least one restraint coupled to one or more of the base, the first lateral extension, the second lateral extension, the head extension and the foot pouch.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a foot extension having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end of the foot extension is coupled to one or both of the first end of the base and the foot pouch, wherein the distal end of the foot extension is coupled to at least one connector and at least one reciprocal connector is coupled to the proximal end of the foot extension, the foot pouch or a back surface of the base.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one restraint is coupled to a front surface of one or more of the base, the first lateral extension, the second lateral extension, the head extension and the foot pouch. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one restraint comprises (i) a pair of ties, (ii) a hook and loop fastener, (iii) a pair of ties having reciprocal connectors, (iv) a foam extrusion defining a cavity along the length of the extrusion, wherein a slit extends between the cavity and an outer surface of the extrusion and the slit extends along the length of the extrusion, (v) cable ties or (vi) an outer shell that defines a cavity, wherein the outer shell is configured to have a top surface having both an open position and a closed position relative to a bottom surface, a bead or protrusion on an exterior of the bottom surface of the outer shell, a flexible extension leg having a first end coupled to the exterior of the bottom surface of the outer shell and a second end extending toward and biased against the bead or the protrusion, a locking mechanism configured to hold the top surface of the outer shell in the closed position and a foam liner coupled to an interior surface of the outer shell. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one restraint comprises a plurality of restraints. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of restraints are arranged at the proximal ends of the first and second lateral extensions. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a restraint-connector coupled to one or more of the base, the first lateral extension, the second lateral extension, the head extension and the foot pouch, wherein the at least one restraint is releasably coupled to the restraint-connector.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second lateral extensions and the head extension are each separately foldable or rollable. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a foot support coupled to the foot pouch, wherein the foot support protrudes from a front surface of the foot pouch.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a base having a first edge and a second edge that extend between a first end and a second end;   a first lateral extension coupled to the first edge of the base and a second lateral extension coupled to the second edge of the base;   a foot support coupled to the first end of the base, wherein the foot support protrudes from a front surface of the base;   a head extension coupled to the second end of the base; and   at least one restraint coupled to one or more of the base, the first lateral extension, the second lateral extension, the head extension and the foot support.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a foot extension having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end of the foot extension is coupled to one or both of the first end of the base and the foot support, wherein the distal end of the foot extension is coupled to at least one connector and at least one reciprocal connector is coupled to the proximal end of the foot extension, the foot support or a back surface of the base.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one restraint is coupled to a front surface of one or more of the base, the first lateral extension, the second lateral extension, the head extension and the foot support. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one restraint comprises (i) a pair of ties, (ii) a hook and loop fastener, (iii) a pair of ties having reciprocal connectors, (iv) a foam extrusion defining a cavity along the length of the extrusion, wherein a slit extends between the cavity and an outer surface of the extrusion and the slit extends along the length of the extrusion, (v) cable ties or (vi) an outer shell that defines a cavity, wherein the outer shell is configured to have a top surface having both an open position and a closed position relative to a bottom surface, a bead or protrusion on an exterior of the bottom surface of the outer shell, a flexible extension leg having a first end coupled to the exterior of the bottom surface of the outer shell and a second end extending toward and biased against the bead or the protrusion, a locking mechanism configured to hold the top surface of the outer shell in the closed position and a foam liner coupled to an interior surface of the outer shell. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one restraint comprises a plurality of restraints. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of restraints are arranged at the proximal ends of the first and second lateral extensions. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a restraint-connector coupled to one or more of the base, the first lateral extension, the second lateral extension, the head extension and the foot support, wherein the at least one restraint is releasably coupled to the restraint-connector.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second lateral extensions and the head extension are each separately foldable or rollable. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a base having a first edge and a second edge that extend between a first end and a second end, wherein the base defines a foot pouch at the first end;   a first lateral extension coupled to the first edge of the base and a second lateral extension coupled to the second edge of the base;   a head extension coupled to a second end of the base; and   at least one restraint-connector defining a cavity, where in the at least one restraint-connector is coupled to one or more of the base, the first lateral extension, the second lateral extension, the head extension and the foot pouch.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a restraint coupled to the at least one restraint connector.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the restraint is removably coupled to the at least one restraint connector.