MODULAR NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE SYSTEM

• US 20100168502A1
• Filed: 12/30/2009
• Published: 07/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: World Medical Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: World Medical Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Gazes, Michael J., Delaporte, Stephen E., Keefe, Thomas J.
• Application Number:
  US12/649,645
• Publication Number:
  US 20100168502A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 11/00 Baby-incubators; Couveuses
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 11/009 with hand insertion windows, e.g. in the walls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/46 for temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2210/30 for intensive care

Abstract

A modular neonatal intensive care system including an infant incubator, bassinet and frame is provided. The infant incubator of the present disclosure is configured for reducing the overall cost and/or minimizing the amount of power that the neonatal care system or infant incubator draws. A number of the features also make the design more appropriate for the conditions in developing countries. The neonatal care system is also integrated with a hospital bassinet which is made up of a bassinet bed and a frame. The frame for the bassinet acts as both a structural support system and a means for transportation when the neonatal care incubator is attached at the top of the frame.

Claims

1. A neonatal intensive care system comprising:

an infant incubator comprising;

a base configured for supporting an infant, the base defining a low profile volume including an open top; and

an adjustable hood coupled over the open top of the base, wherein in one position the hood collapses completely into the base.

2. The system as in claim 1, wherein the incubator further comprising a central support member coupled to at least two portions of the base configured for supporting the hood in a curvilinear shape, the central support member configured for adjusting the hood in a plurality of positions relative to the base.

3. The system as in claim 2, wherein the hood is formed from a flexible material.

4. The system as in claim 3, wherein the flexible material is vinyl.

5. The system as in claim 2, wherein the hood includes a door formed from a rigid material.

6. The system as in claim 5, wherein the rigid material is an acrylic or resin.

7. The system as in claim 5, wherein the door includes at least one handhole.

8. The system as in claim 1, wherein the base includes a modular, removable heating element for generating heat.

9. The system as in claim 8, wherein the base includes a low volume chamber for receiving the modular heating element, the chamber being formed from insulated and reflective walls to prevent heat loss.

10. The system as in claim 8, wherein the base further includes a channel for recycling heat from the incubator back to the heating element.

11. The system as in claim 8, wherein the base further comprises a modular, removable temperature control interface for controlling the temperature of the incubator.

12. The system as in claim 11, further comprising a uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for providing power to the heating element and the temperature control interface.

13. The system as in claim 1, wherein the base includes a portion storing a phase change material (PCM) for supplying heat to the incubator upon loss of power being provided.

14. The system as in claim 1, wherein the base includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion slides into the second portion is a first, non-operational position and the first portion fully extends from the second portion in a second operational position.

15. The system as in claim 1, further comprising a frame for transporting the incubator, the frame including a support member positioned at a top portion of the frame for supporting the incubator.

16. The system as in claim 15, further comprising a bassinet, wherein the support member of the frame is further configured to support the bassinet in various positions when the incubator is not in use.

17. An infant incubator comprising:

a generally rectangular base configured for supporting an infant, the base including a bottom wall and at least three side walls defining a low profile volume including an open top;

a hood coupled over the open top of the base configured from a flexible material; and

a central support member coupled to at least two portions of the base configured for supporting the hood in a curvilinear shape, the central support member configured for adjusting the hood in a plurality of positions relative to the base, wherein in one position the hood and central support member collapses completely into the base.

18. The incubator as in claim 17, wherein the base further comprises:

a low volume chamber for receiving a modular heating element, the chamber being formed from insulated and reflective walls to prevent heat loss; and

a channel for recycling heat from an internal cavity of the incubator back to the heating element in the chamber enabling the heating element to operate at a lower temperature to conserve power.

19. The incubator as in claim 18, wherein the hood further comprises a door formed from a rigid material rotatably coupled to the central support member by at least one hinge.

20. The incubator as in claim 19, further comprising a control interface disposed on the base for controlling functions of the incubator, wherein each function is illustrated by a non-text graphic.