BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Aspects of the device and method are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIGS. 1A-B illustrate a top view of a shape of a normal skull and a skull exhibiting plagiocephaly.
FIG. 2 is a side view diagram of the plagiocephaly detection device.
FIG. 3 is a front view of plagiocephaly detection device.
FIG. 4 is an oblique view of plagiocephaly detection device.
FIG. 5 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the plagiocephaly device in use.
FIG. 6 is a top view of an exemplary plagiocephaly detection device in use.
FIG. 7 is a top view of an exemplary plagiocephaly detection in use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments of the plagiocephaly detection device and methods and is not intended to represent the only embodiments in which plagiocephaly detection device and methods can be practiced. The term “exemplary” used throughout this description means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the plagiocephaly detection device and methods. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the plagiocephaly detection device and methods may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the plagiocephaly detection device and methods.
FIGS. 1A-B illustrate a top view of a normal to plagiocephaly skull. FIG. 1 depicts a normal skull with correct symmetry of skull, nose and ears. As is seen in FIG. 1B, one of the manifestations of plagiocephaly is asymmetry developed between the ears and the nose of the skull, which results from cranial deformation. The right side of the skull, along the right ear, is shifted forward from its correct axis or its natural position as shown in FIG. 1A of a normal skull. In reality both ears should be of a similar distance from the nose.
FIG. 2 depicts a side view of an exemplary plagiocephaly detection device 100. A plagiocephaly detection device comprises a one piece structure 100 having curved calipers 101, planar connector 102 and ear tips 104. The ear tips are positioned at distal ends of the curved calipers 101. The planar connector 102 bridges the proximal ends of the curved calipers. The calipers 101 may be approximately 4″ apart from the distal ends and approximately 3″ apart from the ear tips. The height of the device (distance vertically between ear tips and the planar connector) may be approximately 3″. The device may be approximately 1\4″ deep and 1\8″ thick all around. The curved calipers 101 of the device provide flexibility and comfort to infants as its curved calipers complement the curvature of the infants face. The planar connector 102 comprises indicia 103, or spatial markings, which fall under the infant's nose while the caliper's ear tips 104 are positioned in the infant's ears. The device 100 is flexible and hence by holding the calipers 101, one can easily push in or pull away in lateral direction. This allows flexibility on placing the device on the infant.
FIGS. 3 and 4 depict front and oblique views of the device showing the indicia 103 of the connector 102. In the exemplary embodiment the indicia 103 are molded onto the planar connector 102 as seen in FIGS. 2 and 6 wherein the indicia 103 in the form of grooves are depicted. In an alternate embodiment, the indicia 103 are prepared on a plastic film-like material and glued onto the connector 102, such as a sticker, as seen in FIG. 4. The + sign in FIGS. 3 and 4 represents the center marker position of the indicia 103.
The device can be placed on the infant with ear tips attached to both ears and the planar connector 102 placed under the infant's nose. The connector 102 falls between the newborns nose and upper lip as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The markers 103 provide visual indication of plagiocephaly to the caregiver. In the absence of occipital plagiocephaly, the midline of the infant's nose aligns with the middle position marker of the indicator indicia 103 of the connector 102, as displayed in FIGS. 5 and 6. When plagiocephaly exists, the nose's midline does not align with the center marker (FIG. 7). The markers may also serve as an indicator of severity of plagiocephaly, depending on the measured distance of misalignment from the center. The lateral position markers may be equal distance from each other. In one embodiment, the markers may be one millimeter apart. In another embodiment, the markers may comprise colored regions to show relative change in position.
FIG. 7 represents use of the device on an infant. As depicted, the connector's center position marker is severely offset from midline of the infant's nose. The right side of the skull, along with the right ear, is shifted forward. The center position marker is not in alignment with the nose. The semi-rigid construction of the device 100 and its material makes it light, flexible, durable and capable of accurate detection of plagiocephaly. The device also does not require any calibration, adjustment or special skills to use, and therefore makes it easy and convenient to use. Some embodiments of the device may be configured to fit newborns of six months or younger, while others may be configured to fit infants up to nice months old.
The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the plagiocephaly detection devices and methods. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the plagiocephaly device and methods. Thus, the plagiocephaly detection devices and methods are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
Patent Application
20080033321
