DISORDER

BACKGROUND Field

The subject matter in general relates to cleft palate. More particularly, but not exclusively the subject matter relates to device configured to be adapted to any feeding bottle for feeding infants having cleft palate disorder.

Description of related field [0001] Cleft palate is a congenital disorder where the roof of the mouth fails to develop properly due to non-fusion of left and right halves. Hence, the roof of the mouth contains an opening into the nasal cavity. This disorder can result in feeding problems, speech problems, airway obstruction, hearing problems and ear infections, among others. [0002] Infants with cleft palate disorder may not create enough suction necessary to draw milk from the feeding bottle or breast. Further, the milk drawn into the mouth of the infant may come out of the infant' s nose due to the opening between the mouth and the nasal cavity. Holding the infant in an upright position may reduce the amount of milk coming out of the infant's nose. However, holding the infant in the upright position is inconvenient to the infant as well as to the mother or the nurse feeding the infant.

[0003] Conventionally, modifications have been made to feeding bottles and nipples to aid feeding of infants with cleft palate disorder. Additionally, flow valves are used to regulate the flow of milk. However these modifications to the bottles and nipples, only partially aid in feeding infants with cleft palate disorder as it still requires the infant to be positioned upright or near upright.

SUMMARY

[0004] Accordingly, an improved system to overcome the above problems is needed. To fulfil this need, a device configured to be adapted to a feeding bottle is provided in accordance with an embodiment. The device includes an adaptable member configured to be secured to a feeding bottle. The device further includes a palate member that extends from the adaptable member. The palate member is configured to cover at least a portion of a cleft palate of the affected infant. [0005] In another embodiment, the palate member includes a cleft palate barrier and an extension member, such that, the extension member is in between the cleft palate barrier and the adaptable member.

[0006] In yet another embodiment, the cleft palate barrier includes a rear surface configured to be in contact with tissue beyond the extent of the cleft palate. The cleft palate barrier further includes a front surface opposite to the rear surface. The front surface may be configured to define a curvature, which is continuous to a curvature of palate surrounding the cleft palate of the infant, when the rear surface is in contact with tissue beyond the extent of the cleft palate.

[0007] In yet another embodiment, thickness of the cleft palate barrier increases from periphery of the cleft palate barrier to center of the cleft palate barrier.

[0008] In yet another embodiment, the cleft palate barrier is flexible to retain its original shape when no external force is applied on the cleft palate barrier.

[0009] In yet another embodiment, size of the cleft palate barrier is varied by removing at least a portion of the cleft palate barrier.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, the palate member is made of any semi rigid material.

[0011] In yet another embodiment, any additional material may be added to the palate member to match dimensions of the cleft palate. [0012] In yet another embodiment, the device further includes at least one support member in contact with the adaptable member. Each of the at least one support member is configured to compensate for the movement of the palate member, and thereby secure the device to the feeding bottle. [0013] In yet another embodiment, the adaptable member can be secured to the feeding bottle using at least one of fasteners, adhesive and/or by employing elastic property of material of the adaptable member itself.

[0014] The above objects and other objects, and features of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. Additionally, one ordinarily skilled in the art may understand and appreciate the advantages that are readily apparent from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the Figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:

[0016] FIG. 1A is an exemplary sagittal view of palate 100 in an infant.

[0017] FIG. IB is an exemplary transverse view of the palate 100 of FIG. 1A.

[0018] FIG. 1C is an exemplary sagittal view of cleft palate 110 in an infant.

[0019] FIG. ID is an exemplary transverse view of the cleft palate 110 of FIG. 1C.

[0020] FIG. 2 is an exemplary isometric view of a device 200 adapted to a feeding bottle 202 to facilitate feeding of an infant with cleft palate, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0021] FIG. 3A is an exemplary isometric view of the device 200, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 3B is an exemplary isometric view of the device 200 of FIG. 3A, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 4 is an exemplary illustration of the device 200 of FIG. 2 when received inside the mouth of the infant having cleft palate 110, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0024] FIG. 5A is an isometric view of the device 200 with an elastic adaptable member 204, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0025] FIG. 5B is an isometric view of the device 200 with an adaptable member 204 of elastic belt configuration, in accordance with an embodiment; and

[0026] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the device 200 with variable sizes of cleft palate barrier 302 to compensate for different cleft palate sizes in infants, in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show illustrations in accordance with example embodiments. These example embodiments are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments. The embodiments can be combined, other embodiments can be utilized, structural or logical changes can be made without departing from the scope of what is claimed. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as a limiting sense.

[0028] In this document, the terms "a" or "an" are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term "or" is used to refer to a nonexclusive "or," such that "A or B" includes "A but not B," "B but not A," and "A and B," unless otherwise indicated.

[0029] Referring to FIGs. lA and IB, illustrates an exemplary view of normal palate 100, oral cavity 102, nasal cavity 104, upper lip 112, upper gum pad 114 and lower lip 116 in an infant. The palate 100 is the roof of the mouth which separates the oral cavity 102 and the nasal cavity 104. The palate is divided into hard palate 106 and soft palate 108. The palate 100 plays an important role for feeding and speech.

[0030] Referring to FIGs. lC and ID, illustrates an exemplary view of cleft palate 110 in an infant. The cleft palate 110 is a congenital disorder where the roof of the mouth (the hard palate 106 and/or the soft palate 108) contains an opening into the nasal cavity 104. This disorder can result in feeding problems, airway obstruction, speech problems, hearing problems and ear infections, among others. Infants with cleft palate 110 cannot create the suction that is necessary to draw milk from the feeding bottle or breast. Further, the milk drawn into the mouth may come out of the infant's nose.

[0031] FIG.2 is an exemplary view of a device 200 adapted to a feeding bottle 202 to facilitate feeding of an infant with cleft palate 110, in accordance with an embodiment. The device 200 may include an adaptable member 204 and a palate member 206. The adaptable member 204 may be configured to be secured to the feeding bottle 202. The palate member 206 may extend from the adaptable member 204. The palate member 206 may be configured to cover the cleft palate 110 when the palate member 206 of the device 200 is received in the oral cavity 102 of the infant (refer to FIG.4). [0032] FIGs.3A and 3B is an isometric view of the device 200 of FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment. The palate member 206 may include a cleft palate barrier 302 and an extension member 304. The extension member 304 may extend from the adaptable member 204. The cleft palate barrier 302 may be positioned such that the extension member 304 may be in between the cleft palate barrier 302 and the adaptable member 204. In the instant embodiment, the extension member 304 is extending perpendicularly from the adaptable member 204. In an embodiment, the palate member 206 may include only cleft palate barrier 302, which may extend from the adaptable member 204.

[0033] In an embodiment, the extension member 304 may be of inverted 'L' shape, such that, one end of vertical arm of the inverted 'L' shape may extend upward from the adaptable member 204 and one end of horizontal arm of the inverted 'L' shape may extend from other end of the vertical arm. The cleft palate barrier 302 may extend from other end of the horizontal arm of the inverted 'L' shaped extension member 304. [0034] In an embodiment, the extension member 304 may be rigid and the cleft palate barrier 302 may be flexible. The adaptable member 204 when received around the cap of the feeding bottle 202, the horizontal arm may be positioned on a top surface of the cap of the feeding bottle 202, and the vertical arm may be positioned along the cap's height direction of the feeding bottle 202. According to the instant embodiment, when the adaptable member 204 is received around the cap of the feeding bottle 202, the adaptable member 204 is secured to the feeding bottle 202.

[0035] In another embodiment, the extension member 304 may be of any shape, such that, when adaptable member 204 is received around cap of the feeding bottle 202, the adaptable member 204 is secured to the feeding bottle 202. Further in another embodiment, the adaptable member 204 may be secured to the feeding bottle using at least one of fasteners, adhesive and/or by employing elastic property of material of the adaptable member itself.

[0036] Further, the cleft palate barrier 302 may include a front surface 306 as indicated in FIG. 3 A, and a rear surface 308 as indicated in FIG. 3B. The front surface 306 may be opposite to the rear surface 308. FIG. 4 is an exemplary illustration of the device 200 of FIG. 2 when received inside the mouth of the infant having cleft palate 110, in accordance with an embodiment. The palate member 206 may be configured to cover at least a portion of the cleft palate 110 of the infant. The rear surface 308 of the cleft palate barrier 302 may be configured to be in contact with the tissue beyond the extent of the cleft palate 110 when the device 200, adapted to the feeding bottle 202, is inserted into the oral cavity 102 of the infant. The front surface 306 may be configured to define a curvature, which is continuous to a curvature of palate surrounding the cleft palate 110 of the infant, when the rear surface 308 is in contact with the cleft palate 110. In the instant embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 4, the device 200 when received inside the mouth of the infant having cleft palate 110, a lower gum pad 118 is in contact with nipple of the feeding bottle 202, the upper lip 112 and the upper gum pad 114 is in contact with cleft palate barrier 302. [0037] The cleft palate barrier 302 may have a thickness which increases from periphery of the cleft palate barrier 302 to center of the cleft palate barrier 302. Further, the cleft palate barrier 302 may be configured to be flexible to retain its original shape when no external force is applied on the cleft palate barrier 302. In an embodiment, the palate member 206 may be made of any semi rigid material. [0038] In an embodiment, additional material may be added to the cleft palate barrier 302 to match dimensions of the cleft palate 110.

[0039] In an embodiment, the device 200 may further include at least one support member 310 (as shown in FIG. 3A and 3B) which may be in contact with the adaptable member 204. In the instant embodiment, the support member 310 is positioned opposite to the extension member 304 of the palate member 206.

[0040] In an embodiment, the support member 310 may be positioned anywhere on the adaptable member 204 with reference to the extension member 304 of the palate member 206. The support member 310 may be inverted 'L' shaped, such that, one end of vertical arm of the inverted 'L' shape may extend upward from the adaptable member 204, and horizontal arm of the inverted 'L' shape may extend from other end of the vertical arm.

[0041] The adaptable member 204 when received around cap of the feeding bottle 202, the horizontal arm may be positioned on a top surface of the cap of the feeding bottle 202, and the vertical arm may be positioned along the cap's height direction of the feeding bottle 202. With this positioning of the support member 310, the adaptable member 204 may be configured to compensate for the movement of the palate member 206, when the palate member 206 is in contact with the cleft palate 110. Thus the positioning of the support member 310 may secure the device 200 to the feeding bottle 202. [0042] In an embodiment, the adaptable member 204 may include a plurality of support members 310.

[0043] In an embodiment, the support member 310 may be 'L' shaped, such that, one end of vertical arm of the 'L' shaped support member 310 may extend from the adaptable member 204, and horizontal arm of the 'L' shaped support member 310 may extend from other end of the vertical arm. The adaptable member 204 when received around the cap of the feeding bottle 202, the horizontal arm may be positioned below a bottom surface of the cap of the feeding bottle 202, and the vertical arm may be positioned along the cap's height direction of the feeding bottle 202. In an embodiment, the support member 310 may be any of 'L' shaped and inverted 'L' shaped for securing the device 200 to the feeding bottle 202.

[0044] FIG. 5A is an isometric view of the device 200 with an elastic adaptable member 204, in accordance with an embodiment. The adaptable member 204 comprises of an elastic portion 502 and partially rigid portion 504, which enables the adaptable member 204 to be secured to the feeding bottles of different dimensions. The palate member 206 may extend from the adaptable member 204. In an embodiment, the elastic portion 502 may be positioned between the extension member 304 and the support member 310. In an embodiment, the adaptable member 204 may include multiple elastic portions 502 between the extension member 304 and the support member 310.

[0045] FIG. 5B is an isometric view of the device 200 with an adaptable member 204 of elastic belt configuration, in accordance with an embodiment. The adaptable member 204 includes a plurality of holes 506 and a projection 508. The projection 508 is configured to be operably received by the one of the plurality of holes 506, which may thereby secure the adaptable member 204 to the feeding bottle. The adaptable member 204 comprises an elastic portion 502 and partially rigid portion 504, which enables the adaptable member 204 to be secured to the feeding bottles of different dimensions. The palate member 206 may extend from the adaptable member 204. In an embodiment, the elastic portion 502 may be positioned between the extension member 304 and the projection 508. In an embodiment, the adaptable member 204 may include multiple elastic portions 502 between the extension member 304 and the projection 508. In an embodiment, the elastic portion 502 may be positioned between the extension member 304 and the holes 506.

[0046] In another embodiment, the adaptable member 204 may be made of Velcro.

[0047] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the device 200 with variable sizes of cleft palate barrier 302 to compensate for different cleft palate sizes in infants, in accordance with an embodiment. The cleft palate barrier 302 may include a first marking 602 and a second marking 604. Thickness of the cleft palate barrier 302 along the first marking 602 and the second marking 604 may be thinner in comparison with thickness around the first marking 602 and the second marking 604 of the cleft palate barrier 302. This may enable the size of the cleft palate barrier 302 to be varied by removing at least a portion of the cleft palate barrier 302 along the first marking 602 and the second marking 604 to suit the cleft palate barrier 302 according to the size of the cleft palate 110.

[0048] In the instant embodiment, removal of the cleft palate barrier 302 along the first marking 602 may reduce the cleft palate barrier 302 from large size cleft palate barrier to medium size cleft palate barrier. Removal of the cleft palate barrier 302 along the second marking 604 may reduce the cleft palate barrier 302 from the medium size cleft palate barrier to small size cleft palate barrier.

[0049] In an embodiment, tearing cleft palate barrier 302 along the first marking 602 and the second marking 604 will reduce the size from large to medium to small cleft palate barrier.

[0050] In an embodiment, the number of markings could be either one or more than two to provide varied sizes of the cleft palate barrier 302.

[0051] In an embodiment, different sizes of the cleft palate barrier 302 are held together by an interference fit, such that, one of the two immediate different sized cleft palate barrier has a plurality of slots and the other has a plurality of projections. This may enable to form the medium size cleft palate barrier from the large size cleft palate barrier and the small size cleft palate barrier from the medium size cleft palate barrier. [0052] The present disclosure may find its advantage by adapting a device to a feeding bottle for feeding infants having cleft palate disorder. Further, this device may find its advantage by preventing the flow of milk from the mouth to the nasal cavity, as the device covers the cleft palate of the infant. Further, this device may eliminate the need for the mother or the nurse to hold the infant in upright or near upright position while feeding the infant with cleft palate. Further, this device may find its advantage by enabling the infant to create enough suction to draw milk from the feeding bottle. Further, this device may find its advantage by its configuration, such that, when adapted to the feeding bottle, it may ensure it is secured to the feeding bottle even when external force is acting on the device. Further, this device may find its advantage by being adaptable to feeding bottles of different dimensions. Further, this device, may find its advantage to be adapted to cleft palate of different dimensions by enabling additional material to be added to this device to match dimensions of the cleft palate of the infant. Additional advantages may be apparent to a person ordinarily skilled in the art in view of the aforementioned details and the accompanying drawings.

[0053] Although, embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications, arrangements of components and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of a device to facilitate feeding of infants having cleft palate disorder described herein. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Many alterations and modifications of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read the foregoing description. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. It is to be understood that the description above contains many specifications; these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the personally preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.