AU2017100536A4

AU2017100536A4 - Pouch

Info

Publication number: AU2017100536A4
Application number: AU2017100536A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Vincenzina Brehaut
Original assignee: Nurture Nop Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Nurture Nop Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-07-17
Filing date: 2017-05-15
Publication date: 2017-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 2024-07-17
Also published as: AU2017298559A1; AU2016101117A4; WO2018014077A1; AU2016101117B4

Abstract

Abstract The invention relates to a pouch for a neonate, the pouch comprising a body having a base and a boundary attached to the base to define a space within the body for containment of the neonate, and means for supporting the neonate when lying within the space. the means for supporting the neonate's body comprises support and strap arms for providing support to the neonate; in particular, the support arms are adapted to be placed so that the support arms provide support to the neonate's head and the strap arms are adapted to wrap around the body of the pouch for containment of the neonate within the pouch. The neonate may be placed in the pouch 10 so as to provide respiratory, thermal, nutritional support and ongoing medical and nursing care to neonates during their care. 20b 10 20a 16b 16a Fig. 1 20a 20b 18 Fig. 2

Description

ο (N a IT)

cn O o r- o (N

Pouch

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to medical devices.

[0002] The invention has been devised particularly, although not necessarily solely, in relation to medical devices for neonates to aid development care of neonates, in particular preterm and sick neonates, in neonatal intensive care units.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0004] Neonates that are born prematurely or that are compromised at birth may require admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for respiratory, thermal, nutritional support and ongoing medical and nursing care. Respiratory support may be required for a prolonged period of time depending on the gestation and condition of the neonate. Respiratory support may be initially provided by a ventilator or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) using a CPAP circuit.

[0005] There are numerous forms of CPAP circuits. The CPAP circuit tubing and prongs are firmly secured to the neonate's head and is reliant on an adequate seal to provide effective CPAP.

[0006] An example of a CPAP circuit tubing comprises the Hudson CPAP tubing. The Hudson CPAP tubing is secured to the head using a hat with strips of hook and loop fasteners. The tubing is secured to both lateral sides of the head with hook and loop fasteners that are attached to the CPAP hat.

[0007] Further, developmental care of a neonate admitted into a NICU can promote neurological development, reduce the impact of environmental stresses, conserve energy and promote growth. Developmental care includes providing developmental ο (Ν οΰ

cn IT) O o o (N support to the neonates. Developmental support involves providing to the neonate optimal handling and positioning practices in order to reduce oxygen needs and promote proper body alignment. Reducing environmental stimuli and painful procedures, by providing adequate pain relief, may reduce the impact of the stress on the neonate. Growth and development of preterm neonates may be compromised due to gestational age, illness or lack of proper body support whilst in the NICU.

[0008] There is growing awareness of the importance of providing proper developmental support to neonates in NICUs around the world; in fact, worldwide awareness has increased in the use of positional techniques and use of positional aids to provide proper developmental support to neonates. The major aims of correct neonatal positioning are to maintain neutral alignment, reduce stress and promote growth to improve neonatal outcomes.

[0009] As an example, typically Hudson CPAP tubing is used for providing respiratory support to the neonates in NICUs; however, Hudson CPAP tubing has the disadvantage that the tubing places pressure on the temporal regions of the neonate's head; this is particularly true if the neonate’s head is not properly supported by the mattress on which the neonate’s body rests.

[0010] To overcome this disadvantage support rolls are created to provide the proper support to the neonate. These support rolls may comprise linen, wraps and blankets which are placed beneath the neonate's head to relieve the pressure and minimise the risk of skin injuries from the pressure of the tubing on the neonate's head. Also, it is common practice in NICUs to create a pouch like support or nest using linen, wraps and blankets to provide a boundary to contain and support neonatal development. These common practices have not proven to be adequate because, for example, these practices use relative large quantities of linen in neonatal intensive care units.

[0011] It is against this background that the present invention has been developed. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a pouch for a neonate, the pouch comprising a body having a base and a boundary attached to the

r-· ο (N

m o o r- o (N base to define a space within the body for containment of the neonate, and means for supporting the neonate when lying within the space.

[0013] Preferably, the boundary is attached to the base.

[0014] Preferably, the boundary comprises two lateral boundary portions defining side walls that taper from a relative high end boundary portion defining and end wall.

[0015] Preferably, the side walls and the end wall surrounding at least partially the space of the pouch.

[0016] Preferably, the base is adapted to receive the neonate’s head when the neonate is placed in the pouch.

[0017] Preferably, the base comprises a flat surface for the neonate to be positioned thereon.

[0018] In a particular arrangement, the base comprises a soft surface.

[0019] Preferably, the base is configured so that when the neonate is positioned in the pouch, the base extends from the neonate's feet to above the back of the neonate’s head.

[0020] Preferably, the means for supporting the neonate’s body comprises support arms for providing support to the neonate.

[0021] In a particular arrangement, the support arms are adapted to be placed so that the support arms provide support to the neonate’s head.

[0022] Preferably, the means for supporting the neonate’s body further comprises strap arms for containment of the neonate within the pouch.

[0023] Preferably, the arm straps are adapted to wrap around the body of the pouch for containment of the neonate within the pouch.

[0024] Preferably, the arm straps extend from one of the side walls of the boundary of the pouch. Ο (N σ3 in

in o o r- o (N

[0025] Preferably, the boundary is adapted so that the pouch swaddles the neonate when placed in the pouch.

[0026] Preferably, the side walls are configured to have a height such that the side walls provide support to the neonate by swaddling the body of the neonate permitting flexing and movement of the neonate.

[0027] Preferably, the end wall is adapted to define a decent base for the neonate that is supported in the pouch to move her/his legs against the decent base.

[0028] In one arrangement, the boundary comprises an U-shaped body having a curved portion defining the end wall, and two side portions extending from ends of the curved portion to define the side walls.

[0029] Preferably, the support arms extend from each end of the side walls beyond the base of the pouch.

[0030] Preferably, each support arm is adapted to be placed in a particular position to provide support to the head of the neonate that is being supported in the pouch.

[0031] Preferably, the support arms are configured as octopus legs taking a variety of configurations depending on the type of support, the support arms will provide support to the neonate’s head.

[0032] Preferably, one support arm may be placed beneath the neonate's head for lifting thereof.

[0033] Preferably, the other support arm may be placed around the neonate's head to contour the head, to provide a boundary and containment.

[0034] Preferably, the support arms may be placed so that the support arms provide support to the neonate’s head when the neonate is positioned within the pouch, the neonate facing either left or right lateral, prone, quarter prone or supine.

[0035] Preferably, the support arms extend beyond the base allowing the support arms to be placed so that the support arms lie across the base to ensure the neonate's

r- O (N

IT) o o o (N head remains in neutral midline position and alignment of the neonate’s head is optimised.

[0036] In another arrangement, the pouch comprises a plurality of arm straps.

[0037] Preferably, the arm straps extend from one side of the base.

[0038] Preferably, the arm straps are adapted to be bent towards the body of the pouch permitting placing the arm straps over the neonate’s torso, back and/or abdomen.

[0039] Preferably, each arm straps comprise a proximal end permanently secured to a particular location of the base, and a distal end adapted to be releasably attached to another location of the base.

[0040] In yet another arrangement, the boundary is configured so that the curved portion of the boundary is relative high and thick to define the decent base.

[0041] Preferably, the body of the pouch comprises soft, washable cotton interlock fabric and the boundary and support arms are filled with washable fibre filling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a particular arrangement of the pouch in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the pouch shown in figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top view of the pouch shown in figure 1; and ο (Ν cd in

m in o o r- o (N

Figure 4 is a side view of the pouch shown in figure 1.

[0043] It should be noted that the figures are schematic only and the location and disposition of the components can vary according to the particular arrangements of the embodiments of the present invention as well as of the particular applications of the present invention DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) [0044] Figures 1 to 4 show a particular arrangement of a pouch 10 in accordance with a particular embodiment of the invention. The pouch 10 shown in figure 1 has two support arms 20 and two arm straps 22, a base 12 and a continuous boundary 14 comprising ends defined by the support arms 20.

[0045] As shown in figure 1, the pouch 10 comprises a body having a base 12 and a boundary 14 surrounding the base 12 to define side walls 16a and 16b and an end wall 18 defining a space for receiving a neonate.

[0046] As will be described with reference to the method of operation of the pouch 10, the end wall 18 define a decent base 19 for the neonate supported in the pouch 10 to move her/his legs against the decent base 19; and, the side walls are configured to have a height such that the side walls swaddle the body of the neonate but permitting the neonate to flex and move when being contained in the pouch.

[0047] The base 12 comprises a flat surface for the neonate to be positioned thereon; in a particular arrangement, the base comprise a soft surface. When the neonate is positioned in the pouch 10, the base 12 extends from the neonate's feet to above the back of the neonate’s head. The length of the base 12 depends on the size of the neonate, to ensure that the base 12 extends past the back of the neonate’s head and to ensure appropriate fit of the neonate within the pouch, Further, in the particular arrangement shown in the figures, the boundary 14 is U-shaped having support arms 20 that extend beyond the base 12. As will be described with reference to the method of operation of the pouch 10, the support arms 20 provide a support to the head of the neonate to be supported in the pouch 10; for example, in a particular arrangement, each support arms 20 are adapted to be adjusted to provide support to the neonate that is being supported in the pouch 10. ο (Ν C3 ιη m ο ο r- ο (Ν [0048] In an arrangement, the support arms 20 are adapted to configured as octopus legs taking a variety of configurations depending on their particular application For this, the support arms 20 are adapted to be deformed so as to adjust to take a particular shape depending on their use and the dimensions of the neonate.

[0049] For example, the support arms 20 are designed to support the neonate head and reduce the risk of skin injuries when neonate requires respiratory CPAP support. In particular, the support arms 20 provide support to the neonate's head when requiring Hudson CPAP for respiratory support; under these circumstances, one support arm 20a may be located beneath the neonate's head in order to lift the CPAP tubing from the mattress (on which the pouch 10 lies) to reduce the risk of pressure injury. The other support arm 20b may be placed around the neonate's head to contour the head, to provide a boundary and containment.

[0050] Under other circumstances, the support arms 20 can be used to support the neonate’s head when the neonate is positioned within the pouch 10 facing either left or right lateral, prone, quarter prone or supine.

[0051] Furthermore, the support arms 20 of the pouch 10 extent beyond the base 12 (see for example figure 2); thus, the support arm 20 are free from the base 12 near the head of the neonate, to allow the support 20 arms to lay across the base 12 to ensure the neonate's head remains in neutral midline position and alignment of the neonate’s head is optimised. This particular arrangement permits attachment of medical equipment to the neonate such as ECG leads, saturation and temperature probes so that these leads and probes may be placed flat against the base 12 under the support arm 20 and placed outside the pouch 10.

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in figure 2, the pouch 10 comprises a plurality of arm straps 22. In the particular arrangement shown in the figures, the arm straps 22 extend perpendicularly from one side of the base 12. The arm straps 22 are adapted to be bent towards the body of the pouch 10 permitting placing the arm straps 22 over, for example, the neonate’s back, torso and/or abdomen.

[0053] In a particular arrangement, each arm straps 22 comprise an proximal end 24 permanently secured to a particular location of the bottom face 26 of the base 12 and a distal end 28 adapted to be releasably attached to another location 30 of the r- Η Ο (Ν

cn o o r- o (N 8 bottom face 26 opposite to the particular location where the proximal end 24 of the arm straps are permanently secured - see figure 3. As will be described with reference to the method of operation of the pouch 10, the arm straps 22 may extend over the neonate’s torso, back and/or abdomen to provide a secure and comfortable environment to the neonate that is being supported in the pouch 10 without restricting neonate movement.

[0054] Referring now to figure 4, it was mentioned before that the boundary 14 -that surrounds the base 12 - comprises an end wall 18 defining a decent base 19 for the legs, of the neonate supported in the pouch 10, to move against the end wall 18. In the particular arrangement shown in figure 4, the boundary 14 is configured as a tapered body with a first end of relative large height and two second ends being of a smaller height than the first end ; the first end defines the end wall 18 and the second ends define the side walls 16 having the support arms 20 extending therefrom. In this particular arrangement, the end wall 18 is relative deep and tall providing a decent base 19 for the neonate to move her/his feet against the descent base 19 to promote growth and development of the neonate’s neuro muscular system and the side walls 16 have height such that the side walls 16 may swaddle the neonate placed within the pouch.

[0055] Further, when the neonate is in the pouch 10, the boundary 14 (its end wall 18 and side walls 16) contour the neonate to provide support and contain the neonate in the desired neutral position. The relative high end wall (defining a relative deep decent base 19) allows for the neonate to move both feet in the pouch allowing the neonate to push off the boundary and thus using her/his muscles for development thereof. The relative deep boundary 14 supports neonate containment and neutral alignment when positioned correctly and promotes a secure environment for the neonate to rest and grow.

[0056] In a particular arrangement of the present embodiment of the invention, the body of the pouch 10 may be made out of soft, washable cotton interlock fabric, the boundary and arms are filled with washable fibre filling. In this manner, the pouch 10 may be washed for reuse; thus, reducing drastically the use of linen in neonatal intensive care units.

[0057] The boundary 14 is attached the base 12; for example, the boundary 14 may be sewn to the base 14 to form the pouch 10. r- ο (N a IT)

o o r- o (N

[0058] Further, the pouch 10 may be manufactured in various sizes so as to accommodate neonates of different weights and gestational ages.

[0059] In operation, the neonate may be placed in the pouch 10 so as to provide respiratory, thermal, nutritional support and ongoing medical and nursing care to neonates during their care.

[0060] In particular, the neonate is placed in the pouch 10 so that her/his head may be supported by the base 12 and the support arms 20 (after deformation of the support arms 20 as described earlier): and, neonate’s legs may move into the decent base 19 defined by the end wall 18 of the boundary 14.

[0061] The support arms 20 may be placed adjacent the neonate’s head so as to place, for example, one arm 20a beneath the neonate head to lift the head from the firm surface, such as the mattress, on which the pouch 10 may lie; in this manner, neutral alignment of the head and neck of the neonate is promoted. The other support arm 20b may be placed to contour the neonate’s head for containment thereof.

[0062] Alternatively, if no respiratory support is required, both support arms 20 may be placed to contour the neonate's head to provide developmental care to the neonate supported within the pouch 10. Under these particular circumstances, the neonate may be placed onto the base 12 and between the side walls 16a and 16b permitting the pouch 10 to swaddle the neonate. In fact, as mentioned before, the pouch 10 is adapted to swaddle the neonate when located between the side walls 16; for this, the arm straps 22 are bent so as to cover the back, torso and/or abdomen of the neonate as was described earlier.

[0063] Further, when the arm straps 22 are secured in place (as described above) the pouch 10 provides a secure and comfortable environment without restricting the neonate's movement; this optimise alignment and growth of the neonate. In fact, the neonate is positioned in neutral alignment while being in the pouch 10 with the side walls 16 allowing for the neonate to flex and move but keeping the neonate contained within the pouch 10.

[0064] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

r-· ο (N

m o o r- o (N 10 [0065] Further, it should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments disclosed.

[0066] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

1. A pouch for a neonate, the pouch comprising a body having a base, a boundary attached to the base defining a space within the body of the pouch for containment of the neonate, and support arms, the boundary comprising an end wall and two side walls extending from ends of the end wall defining an access into the space to receive the neonate for containment of the neonate in the space, wherein the support arms extend from each end of the side walls beyond the base of the pouch and the support arms being adapted to be deformed to take a particular shape and being adapted to maintain the particular shape in use abutting the neonate’s head for providing support to the neonate’s head.

2. A pouch according to claim 1 wherein the boundary comprises an U-shaped body having a curved portion defining the end wall, and two side portions extending from ends of the curved portion to define the side walls defining the space of receiving the body such that the side walls and end wall contour the body of the neonate.

3. A pouch according to claim 2 wherein the side walls are configured to have a height such that the side walls provide support to the neonate by swaddling the body of the neonate permitting flexing and movement of the neonate

4. A pouch according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the end wall of the boundary defines a base area adapted to allow leg movement to the neonate.

5. A pouch according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising arm straps adapted to wrap around the body of the pouch for containment of the neonate within the pouch.