The present invention discloses, inter alia, a device and method for
correcting the shape of an infant's abnormally-shaped cranium by applying
external forces over time with the growth of an infant to achieve normal
shaping of the infant's head. The device applies inwardly-directed
external forces only to areas of bony prominence and minimizes (or
altogether eliminates) these forces on the areas of the skull that are
less prominent (or flattened). Because the present invention is
non-conforming to the shape of an abnormal skull, the exerted forces
cause accelerated expansion of the skull in less prominent (flattened)
areas coincident with brain and skull growth. This causes the cranium to
return to a normal symmetric cranial shape. The material that contacts
the infant's cranium is semi-rigid and relatively non-flexible, maintains
its overall shape under stress.