DEVELOPMENT OF A CAR BED FOR PREMATURE AND PHYSICALLY DISABLED INFANTS

IT IS A UNIVERSALLY ACCEPTED FACT THAT THE PROPER USE OF WELL DESIGNED INFANT AND CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS CAN SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASE THE RISK OF DEATH AND SERIOUS INJURY IN MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHS INVOLVING NORMAL CHILDREN. HOWEVER,WHEN PREMATURE INFANTS ARE PLACED IN SEMI-RECLINED INFANT SAFETY SEATS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR RESPIRATORY COMPROMISE. IN ADDITION, MANY DISABLED INFANTS ARE UNABLE TO TRAVEL IN A SEMI-RECLINED POSITION. THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE NEED FOR A CAR BED FOR PREMATURE AND PHYSICALLY DISABLED INFANTS TO ALLOW THEM TO BE TRANSPORTED IN EITHER A PRONE OR SUPINE POSITION WHILE AFFORDING THE SAME LEVEL OFCRASH PROTECTION PROVIDED BY CURRENT INFANT SAFETY SEATS. WE PROPOSE TO DESIGN AN INEXPENSIVE CAR BED TO FULFILL THIS NEED. THIS CAR BED WILL BE DESIGNED TO CONFORM TO THE CRITERIA OF FMVSS 213 AND A PROTOTYPE CAR BED WILL BE FABRICATED AND DYNAMICALLY TESTED.