Table of Contents
Advertisement
Chapter 9: Technical Reference
9.1 Working of PAL In Depth
The primary users of the PAL are premature infants. In PAL Device Contingent mode, active participation
from the infant is required (infant driven) to activate the music or mother's voice. In this mode, the infant
activates the music when he/she hits the strength and duration of sucking set by the operator. The
operator can select the required sensor strength/threshold level (levels 1-10) and the # of sucks (1-5) that
best fits the infant's needs. When the infant hits these preset levels, music or mother's voice will play but
only for the length of time set by the operator (10, 20, 30, or 40 seconds). If the infant wants to hear music
or mother's voice again, the infant must again achieve the preset strength and duration level. Thus, the
operator has control over several behavioral factors in the PAL Contingent Mode: (1) Control over the
sucking strength required to trigger the music (2) The length of time the music plays when activated by the
infant; (3) The number of sucks required to turn on the music. The PAL Sensor monitors the infant's
sucking strength and transmits this information back to the Player Module. The PAL Player Module
interprets the data and compares this data to the preset threshold. Music plays for a predetermined length
of time, at a set volume (High, Medium, Low) when the infant activates the pacifier by effective sucking.
The maximum music sound level is set at 65dB +/- 3dB scale C. The level of volume is measured based on
the PAL Device being 6 inches from the top of the infant's ears. The music can be in two formats: Music
from a USB (MP3 format) or a pre-recorded SD. To avoid alerting the infant when the music is stopped,
the Player Module uses a ducking circuit to fade the music 15 seconds prior to ending it.
In addition to the PAL Contingent mode, the system can also provide music in a non-contingent mode. The
exact time the music can play is user adjustable, however, with an initial default setting of 15 minutes. To
avoid alerting the infant when the music is stopped, the Player Module uses a ducking circuit to fade the
music 15 seconds prior to ending it. Also, when the music ends, the unit changes back to PAL Contingent
mode.
9.2 Protocol for the Use of PAL Device to Encourage or Reinforce Development of
Effective Non-nutritive Sucking
Goals: Encourage and reinforce non-nutritive sucking endurance and effectiveness.
Objectives:
•
To increase sucking endurance.
•
To develop sucking bursts
•
To develop sucking strength.
•
To develop pacing for oral feedings.
•
To increase feeding rate as a result of better sucking when nippling.
Infant Criteria:
•
Infant should be 34 weeks adjusted gestational age (GA) and/or ready for oral feeding trials.
•
Infant should be no more than two months adjusted gestational age
•
Infants qualify if they:
Show little motivation to suck
o
Exhibit a weak suck
o
Experience early fatigue during PO feeds
o
Demonstrate frantic, short sucking bursts followed by fatigue during PO feeds
o
Are not having success with PO feeds for any other reason
o
Protocol:
© 2023 by NeoLight LLC.
All rights reserved.
Page 22 of 30
500055 Rev E
Advertisement
Table of Contents
