Infant Limited Movement Restrainer Device

Abstract

A restraining device that limits the movement of an infant or child while undergoing medical procedures and/or treatment. In use, the restraining device is placed on a hospital or treatment bed and secured to the bed using a plurality of straps, the infant is then placed on top of the restraining device with each arm of the infant being placed through a hole in the restraining device, the respective holes reduced in size to secure each arm within the hole of the restraining device while simultaneously permitting or allowing each arm to freely move, albeit with some limitation, under the restraining device and the bed

Claims

1. A device for use with an infant, comprising: an elongated member having a top surface and a bottom surface; the top surface and the bottom surface forming opposed sides of the elongated member; a first hole situated through the elongated member and the top surface and the bottom surface; a second hole situated through the elongated member and the top surface and the bottom surface; the first hole and the second hole located adjacent to one another and creating a space between them on the top surface; a first elongated hole extending outwardly from the first hole in a direction away from the space; a means for opening and closing the first elongated hole; a second elongated hole extending outwardly from the second hole in a direction away from the space; a means for opening and closing the second elongated hole; a plurality of straps extending outwardly from the elongated member; wherein, when in use, the elongated member is placed on a bed and secured to the bed using the plurality of straps, the infant is then placed in the space on the top surface of the elongated member, an arm of the infant is placed through the first hole and first elongated hole with the means for opening and closing the first elongated hole used to close the first elongated hole thereby securing the arm within the first hole, another arm is placed through the second hole and second elongated hole with the means for opening and closing the second elongated hole used to close the second elongated hole securing the another arm within the second hole, the arm and the another arm freely moveable between the bottom surface of the elongated member and the bed.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first hole and the second hole are substantially identical.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for opening and closing the first elongated hole is a zipper.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for opening and closing the second elongated hole is a zipper.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the elongated member is defined by a top side, a bottom side, a left side, and a right side.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the left side of the elongated member tapers outwardly from the top side to a center of the left side.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the left side of the elongated member tapers outwardly from the bottom side to the center of the left side.

8. The device of claim 5 wherein the right side of the elongated member tapers outwardly from the top side to a center of the right side.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the right side of the elongated member tapers outwardly from the bottom side to the center of the right side.

10. The device of claim 1 and further comprising a first flap to cover the zipper at an intersection of the first elongated hole and the first hole.

11. The device of claim 1 and further comprising a second flap to cover the zipper at an intersection of the second elongated hole and the second hole.

12. A device for use with a patient, comprising: an elongated member having a top surface and a bottom surface; the top surface and the bottom surface forming opposed sides of the elongated member; a first hole situated through the elongated member; a second hole situated through the elongated member; the first hole and the second hole located adjacent to one another and creating a space between them on the top surface; a plurality of straps extending outwardly from the elongated member; wherein, when in use, the elongated member is placed on a support and secured to the support using the plurality of straps, the patient is then placed in the space on the top surface of the elongated member, an arm of the patient is placed through the first hole, another arm is placed through the second hole, the arm and the another arm moveable between the bottom surface of the elongated member and the support.

13. The device of claim 12 and further comprising a first elongated hole extending outwardly from the first hole in a direction away from the space.

14. The device of claim 13 and further comprising a means for opening and closing the first elongated hole.

15. The device of claim 14 and further comprising a second elongated hole extending outwardly from the second hole in a direction away from the space.

16. The device of claim 15 and further comprising a means for opening and closing the second elongated hole.

17. A device for use with a patient, comprising: an elongated member having a top surface and a bottom surface; the top surface and the bottom surface forming opposed sides of the elongated member; a first hole situated in the top surface of the elongated member; a second hole situated in the top surface of the elongated member; the first hole and the second hole located adjacent to one another and creating a space between them on the top surface; wherein, when in use, the elongated member is placed on a support, the first hole is used to secure a first appendage of the patient, the second hole is used to secure a second appendage of the patient, with the first appendage and the second appendage moveable within the elongated member between the top surface and the bottom surface.

18. The device of claim 17 and further comprising a plurality of straps extending outwardly from the elongated member.

Description

V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The Description of the Preferred Embodiment will be better understood with reference to the following figures:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of Applicant's inventive infant limited movement restrainer device and manufactured in accordance with the present invention and, in particular, illustrating the components and assembly of the infant limited movement restrainer device in accordance with the present invention and as shown in a type of use with an infant or child patient.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a top view of Applicant's inventive infant limited movement restrainer device and manufactured in accordance with the present invention and, in particular, illustrating the components and assembly of the infant limited movement restrainer device in accordance with the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a back view of Applicant's inventive infant limited movement restrainer device and manufactured in accordance with the present invention and, in particular, illustrating the components and assembly of the infant limited movement restrainer device in accordance with the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a top view (illustration) of Applicant's inventive infant limited movement restrainer device and manufactured in accordance with the present invention and, in particular, illustrating various dimension of the components and assembly of the infant limited movement restrainer device in accordance with the present invention.

VI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

[0017] It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings with like reference characters. It will be further understood that FIGS. 1-4 are merely schematic representations of the device and some of the components may have been distorted from their actual scale for pictorial clarity.

[0018] In accordance with the present invention, and referring to FIG. 1, Applicant's infant limited movement restrainer device 10 is designed to restrain an infant or child patient 42 during medical procedures and/or treatment, as illustrated and/or which may include, without limitation, applications such as IV/LL/Peripheral IA, UAC/UVC insertion, lumbar puncture, intubation, chest drain insertion, transports, etc., or any other possible application in which Applicant's device may be applicable or used.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the infant limited movement restrainer device 10 is an elongated, thin device that has a top surface 12, a bottom surface 14, and left side 16 and right side 18, and top side 17 and bottom side 19. In the preferred embodiment, the device 10 is placed on a bed 44 (e.g., frame or any other type of support) under the infant or child patient 42 (as shown in FIG. 1), and using the straps 20, with each of the top surface 12, bottom surface 12, left side 16, and right side 18 connected to an adjacent bar or handle 46 or other part of the bed 44 (as shown in FIG. 1), thereby, securing the device 10 to the bed 44. Alternatively, the straps 20, may extend from the top side 17 and/or bottom side 19 and be connected to an adjacent bar or handle 46 or other part of the bed 44 as well, thereby, securing the device 10 to the bed 44 in this manner. Preferably, the straps 20 have the dimensions as shown in FIG. 4, although any dimensions known to one skilled in the art may work provided the device 10 is used as described herein.

[0020] Located within the device 10 are holes 22, 24, each situated adjacent to a zipper 26, 28. The infant or child patient 42 is placed on their back on top of the device 10 between the holes 22, 24, at location A, with one arm 48 (as shown in FIG. 1) of the infant or child patient 42 situated adjacent to hole 22 and the other arm 50 (as shown in FIG. 1) situated adjacent to hole 24. The zipper 26, 28 for each hole 22, 24 are opened to create a further enlarged hole 30, 32. The infant or child patient 42 arm 48 is placed through the enlarged hole 30 and the other of the infant or child patient 42 arm 50 is placed through the enlarged hold 32. In this manner, while the infant or child patient 42 body is above or on top of the device 10, each of the infant or child patient 42 arms 48, 50 are now located under the device 10 (as shown in FIG. 1). Each of the zipper 26, 28 are then closed such that the enlarged hold 30, 32 are closed leaving the infant or child patient 42 arms 48, 50 situated only within and through the holes 22, 24. Flaps 34, 36, and buttons 38, 40 are used to cover the zipper 26, 28 to prevent any chaffing or other discomfort from the zipper 26, 28 to the infant or child patient 42 arms 48, 50. In the preferred embodiment, the holes 22, 24 have a diameter that is large enough to accommodate the infant or child patient 42 arms 48, 50 with a sufficient clearance not to constrict the arms 48, 50 at all, but also not enough clearance to allow the infant or child patient 42 to pull their arms 48, 50 back through, or remove from, the holes 22, 24.

[0021] In an alternate embodiment, it is contemplated that other than arms 48, 50, any appendage of the patient 42 may be used and secured by the holes 22, 24. And, it is further contemplated that the secured appendages may likewise be moveable within (or inside) the elongated member between the top surface and the bottom surface.

[0022] At this point, while the infant or child patient 42 arms 48, 50 are situated and limited within the holes 22, 24, the infant or child patient 42 is free to move their arms 48, 50 anywhere under the device 10 and within the open space or clearance 52 (as shown in FIG. 1).

[0023] Additionally, the left side 16 and right side 18 of the device 10 are tapered outwardly to the applicable strap 20, thus, providing additional coverage of the device 10 which, in turn, provides additional open space or clearance 52 under the device 10 for the infant or child patient 42 to move their arms 48, 50 (e.g., including limited movement upwards as the device 10 with this tapering will allow such additional movement.

[0024] Based on the foregoing, Applicant's device 10 provides at least the following advantages: [0025] (a) Providing a means to restrain an infant to restrain any limbs, and particularly their arms, while on the bed for a medical procedure or treatment; [0026] (b) Allowing the infant's limbs, and particularly their arms, limited movement (although freely within this area) including along the infant's side, down, up, and aroundall permitted under the device 10; [0027] (c) While the movement is limited, the infant still feels like they have their typical movement that they are used to and this then is one less burdensome or discomfort to the infant hopefully allowing the medical procedure or treatment to proceed less abated by the infant;

[0028] Thus, there has been provided a infant limited movement restrainer device and method of using the same. While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the disclosure contained herein and appended claims.