Support device for positioning a patient in a prone position

Abstract

A support structure that allows an individual, generally an infant, to be supported in a desired position and gently constrained from rolling over is disclosed. A well-defined, soft, elastic center panel or pillow is disposed and secured to two firm, slightly elastic side arms each having a height that is greater than that of the center panel. Thus, a channel is formed defined by an upper surface of the center panel and inner surfaces of the side arms. The individual can be disposed within the channel in a position, e.g., prone, and is gently constrained therein. The side arms can be cantilevers or other elongated structures providing additional support for the individual.

1 . A support structure for supporting and maintaining an individual in a position, the support structure comprising: 
 a center panel having a height, two opposing edges, and an upper surface;    two elongated side arms each having an adjacent end and a remote end with an inner surface extending therebetween, and each having a height along its adjacent end greater than the height of the center panel, each sidearm attached to a respective opposing edge of the center panel along a portion of the inner surface disposed at adjacent end;    a channel defined by the upper surface of the center panel and the inner surfaces along the adjacent ends of the side arms;    whereby an individual can be disposed within the channel in a position and is gently constrained therein.    
   
   
       2 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the side arms comprise cantilevers having an exterior curve extending from the adjacent end to the remote end, and the remote inner surface also having a curve around a same axis as the exterior curve, the side arms extending in opposite directions from the center panel and curving back until the remote ends are in proximity or touching forming a generally tororidal-shaped support structure.  
   
   
       3 . The support structure of  claim 2 , wherein the side arms comprise flexible material whereby an individual disposed within the channel having lower extremities flex the cantilevers.  
   
   
       4 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the side arms comprise elongated, straight structures, each attached to a respective opposing edge of the center panel and extending therefrom forming a generally U-shaped support structure.  
   
   
       5 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the side arms comprise a cross-section that is any of the group consisting of square, rectangular, circular, concave, convex and triangular  
   
   
       6 . The support structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a mat disposed beneath the interior well area.  
   
   
       7 . The support structure of  claim 6 , wherein the mat is any from the group consisting of moisture barrier, mattress and cloth.  
   
   
       8 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the side arms are constructed of a material that is firm and slightly elastic.  
   
   
       9 . The support structure of  claim 8 , wherein the side arms are constructed of hypoallergenic material.  
   
   
       10 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the center panel is constructed of a material that is soft and substantially elastic.  
   
   
       11 . The support structure of  claim 11 , wherein the center panel is constructed of hypoallergenic material.  
   
   
       12 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the center panel has a width extending between the opposing edges sized to receive an infant within the channel defined by the width.  
   
   
       13 . The support structure of  claim 12 , wherein the center panel has a width of between approximately 4 and approximately 10 inches.  
   
   
       14 . The support structure of  claim 13 , wherein the center panel has a width of between approximately 6 inches and approximately 8 inches.  
   
   
       15 . The support structure of  claim 14 , wherein the center panel has a width of approximately 7 inches.  
   
   
       16 . The support structure of  claim 12 , wherein the height of the center panel is between approximately 0.5 inches and approximately 5 inches.  
   
   
       17 . The support structure of  claim 16 , wherein the center panel has a height of between approximately 1 inch and approximately 3 inches.  
   
   
       18 . The support structure of  claim 17 , wherein the center panel has a height of approximately 2 inches.  
   
   
       19 . The support structure of  claim 12 , wherein the side arms have a height of between approximately 4 inches and approximately 12 inches.  
   
   
       20 . The support structure of  claim 19 , wherein the side arms have a height of between approximately 5 inches and approximately 10 inches.  
   
   
       21 . The support structure of  claim 20 , wherein the side arms have a height of approximately 8 inches.  
   
   
       22 . The support structure of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more center attachments, each having a height and a topology, a first center attachment secured to the top surface of the center panel.  
   
   
       23 . The support structure of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more width attachments each having a width and secured along an inner surface of a side arm.  
   
   
       24 . A support structure for supporting and maintaining an individual in a prone position, the support structure comprising: 
 a center panel having a height, two opposing edges separated by a width, an inner edge and a outer edge separated by a length, and an upper surface;    two side arms each having a length and a height, each side arm having an interior surface extending between an adjacent end and a remote end, the side arms arranged substantially parallel to each other;    the center panel disposed between the side arms and substantially toward the adjacent ends, each opposing edge of the center panel attached to a portion of the interior surface of a respective side arm defining a channel defined by the upper surface of the center panel and the interior surfaces of the side arms, the channel having a width equal to or slightly greater than the width of the center panel;    whereby an individual is disposed within the channel in a prone position, with his or her chest and/or belly area resting on the top surface of the center panel, her upper extremities extending in a direction beyond the outer edge of the center panel, and her lower extremities extending in a direction toward the remote end of the side arms such that she is constrained by the interior surfaces of the side arms.    
   
   
       25 . The support structure of  claim 24 , wherein the side arms are cantilevers.  
   
   
       26 . The support structure of  claim 24 , wherein the side arms are elongated, substantially straight structures.  
   
   
       27 . The support structure of  claim 24 , wherein the side arms have a cross section that is substantially any of the group consisting of circular, square, rectangular, concave, convex and oval.