Incubator system with monitoring and communicating capabilities

• US 6,409,654 B1
• Filed: 08/15/2000
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Anthony Mcclain
• Original Assignee: Anthony Mcclain
• Inventors: McClain, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur, Eric F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Veniaminov, Nikita R
• Application Number:
  US09/637,377
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 565/5, 600/22, 600/301, 600/300, 177/45, 128/897, 340/573.4, 248/129
• 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 2210/50 for radiography
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring

Abstract

An incubator, especially adapted for premature infants, and supporting system to control, monitor, and communicate data and images to remote locations. The incubator has been modified by the inclusion of a ventilation system, weight scale, plural cameras, microphone/speaker means, and X-ray means. Externally, the incubator includes a control console, touchscreen display panel with processor and a primary display panel. Operation of the incubator is controlled by a hub interface, a central server and modem, and an internet server with modem.

Claims

1. In combination with an incubator having a transparent enclosure adapted to receive an infant supporting means in a controlled environment, a system for controlling, monitoring and communicating data and images to remote locations, the system comprising:

a.) within said incubator,

i.) a ventilating system, operable by a fan and motor, to control the atmospheric environment within the enclosure, including control means for monitoring a threshold level of noise from said fan and said motor, whereby said threshold level is reached a signal will be generated to monitoring personnel of the malfunction;

ii.) a weight scale to monitor changes in weight of the infant;

iii.) a pair of cameras trained at different angles on the infant;

iv.) a microphone/speaker system for transmitting sounds into and out of said incubator;

v.) an on site X-ray means;

b.) externally of said incubator,

i.) a control console;

ii.) a touchscreen display panel with processor to control various functions of the incubator,

iii.) a primary display panel to monitor functions within the incubator; and

c.) means remote from said incubator in communication through a hub interface with said components within said incubator and externally of said incubator, where said means include

i.) a central station server having a modem;

ii.) an internet server having a second modem in communication with said central station server, where said second modem is in further communication with a world wide internet system for pictorially accessing images from said incubator.

2. The combination system according to claim 1, wherein said hub interface is a LAN system allowing for wireless communication.

3. The combination system according to claim 1, wherein said incubator includes a portable power source to provide portable mobility to the incubator.

4. The combination system according to claim 1, including voice feedback means for allowing communication between medical personnel.

5. The combination system according to claim 1, including a fax machine in electrical communication with said central station server, whereby data can be transmitted there through to selected personnel.