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  Wearable body-positioning devices and methodsUSPTO Application #: 20060185055Title: Wearable body-positioning devices and methods Abstract: A device for positioning a body of a wearer includes a garment adapted to be worn on a body of a wearer, and an elongate member coupled to the garment and having a longitudinal axis oriented generally parallel to a spine of the wearer when the garment is being worn by the wearer. The member supports a portion of the wearer's body in an elevated position when the wearer lays thereon. This in turn may urge a portion of the user's body, e.g., head, towards or away from a given position. Another embodiment includes a garment adapted to be worn around at least a torso of a wearer, and a member coupled to the garment, the member supporting a portion of the wearer's torso in an elevated position when the wearer lays thereon for urging a head of the wearer away from a particular orientation. Kits and methods are also presented. (end of abstract) Agent: Zilka-kotab, PC - San Jose, CA, US Inventor: Connie A. DeWitt USPTO Applicaton #: 20060185055 - Class: 002111000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Apparel, Body Garments, Vests, Underwear, Infants' The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060185055. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/654,534 filed Feb. 18, 2005. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to medical devices, and more particularly, this invention relates to wearable devices and methods of use thereof for positioning a body of a wearer. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Since 1992 when the American Academy of Pediatrics began recommending that all infants sleep on their backs to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the incidence of positional plagiocephaly (also called deformational plagiocephaly) has increased dramatically. Positional plagiocephaly refers to a flattening of the back of the head, possible asymmetry of the shape of the skull, and potential bulges on the side of the head opposite the flattening. Positional plagiocephaly is believed to be caused by repeated prolonged pressure on a similar area of the head. As the brain and cranium grow, they expand in the direction of least resistance, i.e., the sides and front that are not in contact with the sleeping surface. Over time, positional plagiocephaly may result. Positional plagiocephaly is now believed to occur in one of every 60 live births, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Although considerable deformity, including facial deformity, may be present, most cases of positional plagiocephaly are considered cosmetic rather than medical issues because the condition is not believed to impact brain function and development. [0004] There are currently three recognized treatments for plagiocephaly. The most common treatment is referred to as 'repositioning,'' and it amounts to positioning (and continually repositioning) the child such that the child does not lay or put pressure on the flat spot while either waking or asleep. Generally, a piece of fabric such as a rolled up towel, folded blanket, or commercially available wedge of foam is placed behind or under the child on the side opposite the flat spot while he is seated, reclining, or sleeping, in order to turn the head to keep the head's weight off of the flattened area. Often a foam headrest is also used as a preventative measure to distribute the head's weight over a larger area of the head. These approaches are most effective before the child is mobile enough to move from the desired position and off the positioning pad or pillow. Unfortunately, this often means that by the time the parents and doctor decide the condition warrants intervention, the child is so mobile that repositioning is of limited effectiveness. This treatment also requires considerable vigilance on the part of the child's parents, as the child must be continually repositioned as he or she moves. For this reason, this treatment has proven to be of limited efficacy. Such treatments may even be detrimental to the child. For instance, if the child rolls over in the headrest, the child may rebreathe air or even suffocate. Rebreathing air is believed to be related to SIDS. [0005] In another treatment, physical therapy is used to stretch the neck muscles that lead to the tendency for the infant to turn his head in one direction. This method is used only when tight muscles are the underlying cause of plagiocephaly, which is not always the case. [0006] The third treatment is a custom-made orthotic helmet designed to protect the flattened area and even reshape the head. These helmets are expensive (currently approximately $2800+) and often are not covered by insurance because positional plagiocephaly is generally considered a cosmetic issue by the medical community. The helmet typically must be worn at least 20 hours a day for between two and eight months, and must be periodically adjusted to accommodate head growth and reshaping. Most parents seek to avoid having to use the helmet both because of the cost and the stigma of having their child wear such an obtrusive orthotic device. Further, children often develop sore spots where the helmet exerts pressure on the head, and helmets are hot and generally become odorous with use. [0007] What is therefore needed is a body positioning device that overcomes the drawbacks of the aforementioned methods. What is also needed is a body positioning device that moves with the child so that no matter how the child attempts to reposition himself, the head will be urged away from the flattened area. Further, what is also needed is a device that is adaptable such that a different portion of the child's head is in contact with the sleeping surface at different points in time so as to prevent positional plagiocephaly. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] A device for positioning a body of a wearer according to one embodiment includes a garment adapted to be worn on a body of a wearer, and an elongate member coupled to the garment and having a longitudinal axis oriented generally parallel to a spine of the wearer when the garment is being worn by the wearer. The member supports a portion of the wearer's body in an elevated position when the wearer lays thereon. This in turn may urge a portion of the user's body, e.g., head, towards or away from a given position. [0009] A device for positioning a body according to another embodiment includes a garment adapted to be worn around at least a torso of a wearer, and an elongate member coupled to the garment and having a longitudinal axis oriented generally parallel to a spine of the wearer when the garment is being worn by the wearer. The member supports a portion of the wearer's torso in an elevated position when the wearer lays thereon for urging a head of the wearer away from a particular orientation. [0010] A device for positioning a body according to yet another embodiment includes a garment adapted to be worn around at least a torso of a wearer, and a member coupled to the garment. The member supports a portion of the wearer's torso in an elevated position when the wearer lays thereon for urging a head of the wearer away from a particular orientation. [0011] Preferably, the member is detachably coupled to the garment, and may be coupled to the garment in a position such that the member is located along the wearer's back when the garment is being worn by the wearer. For instance, the member may have an upper end positioned towards a neck of the wearer when the garment is being worn by the wearer, wherein the upper end of the member is positioned below a base of the neck of the wearer when the garment is being worn by the wearer. Also, the member may have a lower end positioned towards a waist of the wearer when the garment is being worn by the wearer, wherein the lower end of the member is positioned below hips of the wearer when the garment is being worn by the wearer. The member may be selectively pivotable from a left to a right side of the wearer's back when the garment is being worn by the wearer. [0012] A sleeve may be provided for coupling the member to the garment, the member being inserted in the sleeve. In some embodiments, the sleeve is detachably coupled to the garment. The member may be removable from the sleeve. [0013] The member may be selectively positionable along a line oriented parallel to the spine of the wearer. The member may also be selectively positionable along a line oriented perpendicular to the spine of the wearer. [0014] The member may have various cross-sectional shapes, such as generally triangular, generally tubular, generally rectangular, generally semi-spherical, and generally semi-oval. [0015] In another embodiment, the member has an upper end positioned towards a neck of the wearer when the garment is being worn by the wearer, wherein the upper end of the member has a cutout portion. A further embodiment includes a head-positioning portion adapted for receiving a head of the wearer. [0016] The garment may include multiple apertures for receiving extremities of the wearer. [0017] As noted above, the member may be coupled to the garment in a position such that the member is located along a back of the wearer when the garment is being worn by the wearer. In other embodiments, the member is coupled to the garment in a position such that the member is located along a chest of the wearer when the garment is being worn by the wearer. [0018] A kit containing a device for positioning a body according to one embodiment includes a garment adapted to be worn on a body of a wearer and at least one member being coupleable to the garment, the at least one member being for supporting a portion of the wearer's body in an elevated position when the wearer lays thereon. The kit may also include one or more sleeves being coupleable to the garment, the sleeve(s) being for receiving the at least one member for coupling the at least one member to the garment. The kit may further include multiple members, wherein at least some of the members have differing longitudinal lengths and/or differing cross sectional shapes. A head-supporting portion that is operatively coupleable to the garment may also be included in the kit. [0019] A method for assisting in urging a head of the wearer away from a particular orientation includes the steps of selecting a garment adapted to be worn on a body of a wearer, the garment having a member coupled thereto, the member supporting a portion of the wearer's body in an elevated position when the wearer lays thereon such that a head of the wearer is urged away from a particular orientation; and assisting in acquiring possession of the garment by the wearer. [0020] A method for treating plagiocephaly includes instructing a human to wear a device as recited above. Another method for treating plagiocephaly includes wearing a device as recited above. A method for preventing plagiocephaly includes instructing a human to wear a device as recited above, and repositioning the member after a period of time elapses. Continue reading... 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