Head positioning device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a head support device for the treating and prevention of plagiocephaly in infants. The device removes pressure from a desired area of an infant's head.

1 . A head positioning device for preventing or treating plagiocephaly in an infant, the device comprising: 
 (a) a first support having a first surface that is sloped relative to a second surface, and being sized and shaped to support a sideward aspect of an infant's head on said sloped first surface; and    (b) a second support having at least one surface opposing said first surface of said first support when in use, and being sized and shaped to support a rearward aspect of said infant's head;    wherein, while in use with said infant in a supine position, said infant's head is simultaneously supported by both of said first and second supports in a side-facing position such that gravitational pressure is at least partially distributed to said sideward aspect of said infant's head, thereby preventing or treating plagiocephaly in said infant.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a cap sized and shaped to receive said infant's head, and a fastener for removably attaching said cap to at least one of said supports while said device is in use.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein said fastener comprises opposing first and second members, said first member having a plurality of hooks and a second member having a plurality of loops, one of said first and second member being affixed to one of said supports, and the other of said first and second members being affixed to said cap.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 2  wherein at least one of said supports comprises a surface having a plurality of loops and wherein said fastener comprises a plurality of hooks sidewardly or rearwardly positioned on said cap.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said first and second supports are interchangeable so as to provide at least a first and a second configuration of said device, wherein, when in use in said first configuration, said infant's head is held in a left side-facing position, and, when in use in said second configuration, said infant's head is held in a right side-facing position.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said first and second supports is optionally interchangeable with a third support.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said first and second supports is optionally tiltable by a third support.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said first surface of said first support slopes at a predetermined angle.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein said predetermined angle is between about 0° and about 180°.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 8  wherein said predetermined angle is selected from the group consisting of 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 60°, 70°, 80°, 90°, 120°, 135° and 150°.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said surface of said second support is sloped relative to a second surface of said second support.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said first and second supports comprise a conformable but firm material.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a foundation, and wherein said foundation comprises both of said first and second supports.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a coupler for connecting said first and second supports to each other.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14  wherein, in use, said first and second supports are removably connected to each other.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 14  wherein said coupler comprises opposing first and second members, said first member having a plurality of hooks and said second member having a plurality of loops, one of said first and second members being affixed to said first supports and the other of said first and second members being affixed to said second supports.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a mat, and wherein said first and second supports are attached to said mat.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17  wherein at least one of said first and second supports is removably attached to said mat.  
   
   
       19 . A head positioning device for preventing or treating plagiocephaly in an infant, the device comprising 
 (a) a mat;    (b) a cap sized and shaped to receive an infant's head; and    (c) a fastener for removably attaching said cap to said mat,    wherein, while in use with said infant in a supine position on said mat, said fastener removably attaches said cap to the mat such that said infant's head is held in a side-facing position so as to at least partially distribute gravitational pressure to a sideward aspect of said infant's head, thereby preventing or treating plagiocephaly in the infant.    
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 19  wherein said fastener is sidewardly positioned on said cap.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 19  wherein said fastener comprises opposing first and second members; said first member having a plurality of hooks and a second member having a plurality of loops, one of said first and second member being affixed to said mat, and the other of said first and second members being affixed to said cap.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 19  wherein said mat comprises a surface having a plurality of loops, and wherein said fastener comprises a plurality of hooks sidewardly positioned on said cap.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 19  wherein said fastener is adjustable.  
   
   
       24 . A head positioning device for preventing or treating plagiocephaly in an infant, the device comprising first and second supports, each of said supports having a first surface that is sloped relative to a second surface, and being sized and shaped to support a sideward aspect of an infant's head on said sloped first surface,  
     wherein, while in use with said infant in a supine position, said infant's head is simultaneously supported by both of said first and second supports in a forward-facing position such that a rearward aspect of said infant's head is elevated without contacting either of said first and second supports, thereby at least partially distributing gravitational pressure to said sideward aspects of said infant's head, thereby preventing or treating plagiocephaly in said infant.  
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 24 , further comprising a cap sized and shaped to receive said infant's head, and a fastener for removably attaching said cap to at least one of said supports while said device is in use.  
   
   
       26 . A head positioning device for preventing or treating plagiocephaly in an infant, the head positioning device comprising: 
 a first support comprising a first head resting surface and a first base surface, wherein the first head resting surface and the first base surface are disposed at a first acute angle relative to each other;    a second support comprising a second head resting surface and a second base surface, wherein the second head resting surface and the second base surface are disposed at a second acute angle relative to each other;    wherein the first support is independent of and connectable with the second support and wherein when the first support and second support are connected, the first I base surface and the second base surface are aligned substantially planar.    
   
   
       27 . A method of preventing or treating plagiocephaly in an infant, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing the device of  claim 1;     (b) positioning an infant in a supine position such that said infant's head is in a side-facing position with said sideward aspect being supported by said first support and, simultaneously, said rearward aspect being supported by said second support such that gravitational pressure is at least partially distributed to said sideward aspect of said infant's head, thereby preventing or treating plagiocephaly in the infant.    
   
   
       28 . A method of preventing or treating plagiocephaly in an infant, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing the device of  claim 2;     (b) placing said cap on said infant's head;    (c) removably attaching said cap to at least one of said supports via said fastener; and    (d) positioning said infant in a supine position such that said infant's head is a side-facing position with said sideward aspect being supported by said first support and, simultaneously, said rearward aspect being supported by said second support such that gravitational pressure is at least partially distributed to said sideward aspect of said infant's head, thereby preventing or treating plagiocephaly in the infant.    
   
   
       29 . A method for treating plagiocephaly in an infant, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing the device of  claim 19;     (b) placing said cap on said infant's head; and    (c) removably attaching said cap to said mat via said fastener such that said infant's head is held in a side-facing position so as to at least partially distribute gravitational pressure to said sideward aspect of said infant's head, thereby preventing or treating plagiocephaly in the infant.    
   
   
       30 . A method of using the device of  claim 26 , the method comprising the steps of: 
 connecting the first support to the second support; and    positioning an infant's head on the first head resting surface and the second head resting surface such that each of the first head resting surface and the second head resting surface contacts a non-flattened portion of the infant's head.    
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30  further comprising sliding a third support under one of the first or second support to tilt the device.  
   
   
       32 . A kit for preventing or treating plagiocephaly in an infant, the kit comprising: 
 (a) at least first and second interchangeable supports, each of said first and second supports having a first surface that is sloped relative to a second surface, and being sized and shaped to support a sideward aspect of an infant's head on said sloped first surface; and    (b) a third support having at least one surface opposing said first surface of said first or second support when in use, and being sized and shaped to support a rearward aspect of said infant's head;    wherein, said first and second supports are sloped at different predetermined angles, and wherein while in use with said infant in a supine position, said infant's head is held in a side-facing position and is simultaneously supported by (i) one of said first or second supports, and (ii) said third support, such that gravitational pressure is at least partially distributed to said sideward aspect of said infant's head, thereby preventing or treating plagiocephaly in the infant.    
   
   
       33 . The kit of  claim 32  further comprising a cap sized and shaped to receive said infant's head, and a fastener for removably attaching said cap to at least one of said supports while said device is in use.  
   
   
       34 . A head positioning kit for preventing or treating plagiocephaly in an infant, the head positioning kit comprising: 
 a mat;    a cap sized and shaped to receive an infant's head, wherein at least one of the mat and the cap comprise a fastener such that a left or right temporal area of an infant's head can be fastened to the mat.