Method for treatment of infants with developmental delay

Abstract

The invention disclosed herein is a method for treatment of infants at risk for birth-related disabilities. Specifically, this disclosure is directed toward those infants at risk for neuromuscular disabilities caused by premature birth and/or injury during birth. An inflatable collar is affixed around the infant's neck. The infant wearing the aforementioned collar is immersed into a water bath in which the water has been heated to approximately 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. The infant's head is supported by the inflated collar to ensure safe breathing. The infant's torso and extremities are suspended in the warm water bath. The infant is permitted to move in the water bath without being restrained by gravity. By the method disclosed herein, infants at risk for neuromuscular disabilities are permitted to exercise their muscles to develop muscle tone and promote neuromuscular coordination.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This utility patent application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/879,280 filed on Jan. 9, 2007. A copy of which is attached hereto by reference as if fully set forth.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

The invention described in this application was not the subject of federally sponsored research or development.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The field of the invention disclosed herein is a method of treatment for infants who are developmentally delayed. Specifically, the invention disclosed herein is a method by which infants may further develop neuromuscular coordination, muscular tone and lung capacity.

2. Description of the Related Art

Birth-related childhood disability is a major problem of most developed nations. Children suffering from birth-related disability display decreased coordination, lack of muscle tone, decreased lung capacity, neurocognitive disorders, delayed speech and other problems. These problems are especially evident in infants born prematurely and in those infants who suffer brain injury during the birth process. The emotional and financial costs in supporting infants suffering from birth-related disabilities can last a lifetime and are enormous. Prior art methods of rehabilitation of children with birth-related disabilities has focused on physical therapy, speech therapy, vocational therapy initially delivered to the child years after the child is born. Much time in rehabilitation is lost from the time of birth until formal rehabilitation measures are implemented. What is needed in the art is a method for treatment of infants at risk for neuromuscular developmental delay which begins at birth and which is low cost, and easy to perform.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed herein is a method for treatment of infants at risk for neuromuscular developmental delay which begins at birth and which is low cost, and easy to perform. Specifically, an inflatable collar is affixed around the neck of the infant so as to support the infant's head above the level of the water. The infant to which the inflatable collar is affixed is placed in a tub or other receptacle filled with water which has been heated to approximately 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. The inflated collar supports the child's head and keeps the child's head above the surface of the water. The child's torso and extremities are suspended in the warm water where the weight of the child is supported by the water. The muscles of the child's body are permitted free movement in the water without the hindrance of gravity. By this method the child is permitted to move freely exercising all of the muscles of the torso and extremities. By this method cognitive development, neuromuscular coordination, muscular tone and lung capacity are all improved. Older children with recognized developmental delays may also benefit from the treatment disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE INVENTION

A better understanding of the invention disclosed herein may be had by review of the figures described below:

FIG. 1 is a top oblique view of the invention disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Rehabilitation of children suffering from birth-related disabilities usually doesn't begin until several years after the birth of the child. Nearly 85% of brain development occurs in the first three years of life. By the time traditional rehabilitation methods are implemented much time has been lost. The invention disclosed herein is a method which parents can use at home to promote cognitive development, neuromuscular coordination, muscular tone and lung capacity in their children. Such method can be implemented shortly after birth to infants at risk for neuromuscular development delay so as to maximize the effects of invention disclosed herein. Older children with recognized developmental delays may also benefit from the treatment. However, as described above much of the brain development occurs early in life. The earlier therapy begins with a child the better the expected result. The preferred embodiment is intended for children of the age 1 day to 4 years and who are otherwise stable, i.e. have no intravenous lines or need for supplemental oxygen.

As shown in FIG. 1, an inflated collar (1) is attached around the infant's neck (2) to support the infant's head (3) and keep the head above water (4). The infant wearing the inflated collar (1) is placed in a water bath (5) in which the water has been warmed to approximately 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. The inflated collar (1) surrounding the infant's head (3) permits the infant's torso (6) and extremities (7) to float in the water. The infant's weight is supported in part by the inflated collar (1) but also by the buoyancy of the water. In this way the infant is able to twist and turn his torso (6) or move his extremities (7), including fingers and toes without the restraint of gravity. The water places pressure on the infant's chest requiring the torso muscles to contract improving the infant's lung capacity. As the infant moves about in the water, the infant's muscles are gently massaged and stimulated by the water. The preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed herein allows the infant to stay in the water bath (5) supported by the inflated collar (1) for approximately 20-25 minutes per therapy session. Therapy sessions can take place more than once per day. It is recommended that a parent or other responsible adult be in constant attendance while the infant is in the water bath.

In other embodiments, electrolytes can be added in physiologic concentration to mimic normal body fluids or saline. Other embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Those other embodiments, even though not specifically disclosed herein are encompassed within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A method for the treatment of infants at risk of neuromuscular developmental delay comprising steps for:

attaching an inflated collar around the infant's neck;

immersing the infant in a water bath heated to and maintained at approximately 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit;

allowing the child unrestrained movement in said water bath.

2. The method for the treatment of infants at risk of neuromuscular developmental delay as defined in claim 1 wherein said infant is from approximately 1 day-4 years of age.

3. The method for the treatment of infants at risk of neuromuscular developmental delay as defined in claim 1 wherein said water bath is composed of an aqueous solution of electrolytes.

4. A method for treatment of infants at risk of neuromuscular developmental delay comprising steps for:

attaching a floatable collar around the infant's neck to support the head and neck;

immersing the infant in a liquid bath.

5. The method for treatment of infants at risk of neuromuscular developmental delay as defined in claim 4 wherein the liquid bath is heated to and maintained at approximately 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. The method for treatment of infants at risk of neuromuscular developmental delay as defined in claim 4 wherein said liquid bath is composed of an aqueous solution of electrolytes.

7. The method for treatment of infants at risk of neuromuscular developmental delay as defined in claim 2 wherein said infant is from approximately 1 day-4 years of age.