Incubator for newborn and prematurely born patients

• US 20040106844A1
• Filed: 10/03/2003
• Published: 06/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Torsten Lonneker-Lammers
• Original Assignee: Torsten Lonneker-Lammers
• Inventors: Lonneker-Lammers, Torsten
• Application Number:
  US10/474,016
• Publication Number:
  US 20040106844A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 11/00 Baby-incubators; Couveuses
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/46 for temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/28 Details of apparatus provided for in groups G01R33/44 - G01R33/64

Abstract

The inventive incubator for newborn and prematurely born patients, which can be introduced into the magnetic field of an NMR tomograph, is characterized in that the devices for the supply and circulation of fresh air, for heating and humidifying the air, for controlling the temperature thereof and for examining the patient are electrically driven and integrated into the incubator. The circulation of air in the room provided for the patient has one component extending in the longitudinal direction of the incubator and one or two components extending in a roller-type manner about the longitudinal axis.

Claims

1. An incubator for newborn and premature patients which can be introduced into the magnetic field of an NMRI tomograph, with devices (6, 7, 11, 12, 20) for delivery and circulation of fresh air and a drive mechanism for these devices, and with devices (4, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) for heating and humidifying the air, for regulating the temperature of said air, and for examining the patient, said devices (7, 9, 10, 11) being driven electrically and being arranged integrally on the incubator, and the air flowing into the patient space (1) at one or both long sides in such a way that one or two cylindrical air movements (18) are created in the patient space, and the air being suctioned off at the center of one end face.

2. The incubator as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the air is delivered through a channel (6) below the support surface (5) for the patients.

3. The incubator as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has devices (20) for delivery of oxygen.

4. The incubator as claimed in one of claims 1 through 3, characterized in that it has devices (14, 15) for regulating the humidity and/or the oxygen concentration of the air delivered to the patient.

5. The incubator as claimed in one of claims 1 through 4, characterized in that the measurement coil(s) (4) for the NMRI tomography is (are) arranged in the patient space.

6. The incubator as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the measurement coil(s) (4) is (are) adjustable relative to the patient.

7. The incubator as claimed in one of claims 1 through 6, characterized in that it has devices (25) for oxygen saturation measurement.

8. The incubator as claimed in one of claims 1 through 7, characterized in that it has devices for regulating the air temperature.

9. The incubator as claimed in one of claims 1 through 8, characterized in that the air is circulated by means of an electric motor (11) and a fan (12).

10. The incubator as claimed in one of claims 1 through 9, characterized in that it is controlled by a microprocessor.

11. The incubator as claimed in one of claims 1 through 10, characterized in that the end face of the patient space is provided with passages (24) for ventilation lines, anesthesia lines and infusion lines and for other lines and for signal cables of the measurement coils (4).

12. The incubator as claimed in one of claims 1 through 11, characterized in that the patient space (1) has a transparent hood (2) to permit observation of the patient.

13. The incubator as claimed in one of claims 0.1 through 12, characterized in that the operating panel (9) has digital displays and control knobs for setting the desired values.

14. The incubator as claimed in one of claims 1 through 13, characterized in that it is provided with a trolley (28) onto which it can be placed.

15. The incubator as claimed in one of claims 1 through 14, characterized in that the underpressure for fresh air intake is generated by a Venturi tube.

16. The incubator as claimed in one of claims 1 through 15, characterized in that it has an additional window (27) on that end face of the patient-receiving space (1) remote from the hatch (8).

17. The incubator as claimed in one of claims 1 through 16, characterized in that the coil(s) (4) can be fitted and replaced via one end face (8), without the patient having to be moved.

18. The incubator as claimed in one of claims 1 through 17, characterized in that the trolley (28) with current supply and gas supply is MR-compatible.

19. The incubator as claimed in one of claims 1 through 18, characterized in that the hood (2) is designed with two walls for sound insulation.