DISPOSABLE COVER FOR USE IN AN INCUBATOR FOR PREMATURE INFANTS

• US 20110152641A1
• Filed: 12/22/2006
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Essity Hygiene and Health Aktiebolag (Essity AB)
• Original Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB (Essity AB)
• Inventors: Doverbo, Anna-Gerd, Fernfors, Ingemar
• Granted Patent: US 8,188,332 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/309
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/48 Devices for preventing wetting or pollution of the bed
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 11/00 Baby-incubators; Couveuses

Abstract

The invention refers to a disposable cover for use in an incubator for premature infants comprising a moisture-pervious surface layer and a preferably moisture-impervious back sheet, wherein the total weight of the cover before use is communicated to the caregiver by indication on said cover, a label accompanying said cover or on the package for said cover. The cover may further be provided with a wetness indicator.

Claims

1. A disposable cover for an incubator for premature infants comprising a moisture-pervious surface layer intended to face the premature infant during use and a back sheet, wherein the total weight of said disposable cover before use is communicated to the caregiver by indication on said cover, a label accompanying said cover or on the package for said cover.

2. The disposable cover according to claim 1, wherein said disposable cover has a defined weight within a tolerance of ±

1 g.

3. The disposable cover according to claim 1, wherein the total weight of said disposable cover before use is printed onto said cover.

4. The disposable cover according to claim 1, wherein the total weight of said disposable cover before use is embossed onto said cover.

5. The disposable cover according to claim 1, wherein the total weight of said disposable cover before use is provided as a note in connection with said disposable cover.

6. The disposable cover according to claim 1, wherein said disposable cover has a length of 10-60 cm and a width of 5-40 cm.

7. The disposable cover according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a wetness indicator.

8. The disposable cover according to claim 7, wherein said wetness indicator comprises a colorant changing colour upon wetting.

9. The disposable cover according to claim 8, wherein said colorant is a pH-indicator.

10. The disposable cover according to claim 1, wherein the disposable cover comprises a sensor indicating the presence of proteins (albumin), blood or unwanted bacteria in the urine

11. The disposable cover according to claim 1, wherein said cover is a laminate having a surface layer being an apertured plastic film or a nonwoven material and a moisture-impervious backsheet.

12. The disposable cover according to claim 1, wherein said cover is a laminate comprising a surface layer having synthetic fibers or an apertured plastic film and a moisture-impervious backsheet.

13. The disposable cover according to claim 1, wherein said disposable cover has a defined weight within a tolerance of ±

0.5 g.

14. The disposable cover according to claim 1, wherein said disposable cover has a length of 12-50 cm and a width of 6-30 cm.

15. The disposable cover according to claim 1, wherein said disposable cover has a length of 15-45 cm and a width of 7-25 cm.

16. The disposable cover according to claim 1, wherein the disposable cover comprises a sensor indicating the presence of proteins (albumin), blood and unwanted bacteria in the urine.

17. The disposable cover according to claim 1, wherein the disposable cover comprises a sensor indicating the presence of blood in the urine.

18. A method of monitoring basal functions of a premature infant, comprising:

individually weighing a disposable cover before use for an incubator comprising a moisture-pervious surface layer intended to face the premature infant during use and a back sheet;

indicating the individual before use weight of each said disposable cover on said cover, a label accompanying said cover or on the package for said cover;

placing the disposable cover in the incubator with the premature infant; and

weighing the disposable cover after use.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the disposable cover includes a wetness indicator and the disposable cover is weighed after the wetness indicator indicates that the disposable cover has become wet.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the disposable cover is individually weighed by the manufacturer and wrapped in a moisture impervious package prior to use.