ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 24 -- United States Patent no. 12,582,579, issued on March 24.
"Premature infant pacifier" was invented by Barbara O'Rourke (Ames, Iowa).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "The apparatus and process described, allows the premature infant to continue the enjoyable in utero experience of sucking and swallowing that is halted upon birth. In particular the infant is afforded the opportunity to practice tasting, sucking, and swallowing on an individualized basis. This oral enjoyment and practice allow for positive association with feedings and provides a sensory-motor experience that may lead to earlier suck, swallow, breathe (SSB) synchrony. The process engages the esophagus and ...