Method of thermoregulation within an incubator for babies before implantation

• US 9,056,039 B1
• Filed: 10/11/2012
• Issued: 06/16/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eurica Califorrniaa
• Original Assignee: Eurica Califorrniaa
• Inventors: Califorrniaa, Eurica
• Primary Examiner(s): LACYK, JOHN P
• Application Number:
  US13/649,848
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 600 21- 22, 600 33- 35, 128897-898, 435/7.2, 435/29, 435/366, 435/373, 435/374, 435/325, 435/288.4, 435/288.5, 435/297.5, 435/305.2, 435/305.3
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/02 Preservation of living parts
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/0263 Non-refrigerated containers specially adapted for transporting or storing living parts whilst preserving, e.g. cool boxes, blood bags or "straws" for cryopreservation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/435 for embryo or ova transplantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 11/00 Baby-incubators; Couveuses
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 21/06 for in vitro fertilization
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 25/00 Means for supporting, enclosing or fixing the microorganisms, e.g. immunocoatings
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 29/04 Filters; Permeable or porous membranes or plates, e.g. dialysis
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/14 Incubators; Climatic chambers per se B01L1/00

Abstract

The invention relates to an incubator for babies. It is of special value for the treatment of premature infants as an intensive care unit at any time during life from creation to implantation. A cradle is sided with ports to enable fluidic ventilation. Advantageously the incubator includes an optical path for imaging the patient via a clear bottom and open top. The incubator is provided with easy access and various accessories required for an intensive care unit. The invention further relates to a method of thermoregulation within the incubator and to a temperature measurement test pattern to calibrate a radiometer for non-contact patient thermometry. Within the incubator, the temperature of a human embryo or hatchling patient is monitored distinctly from incubator temperature, and a rate of flow of a liquid incubation medium over the patient'"'"'s egg (embryo stage) or body (hatchling stage) is controlled by a microfluidic means which is responsive to feedback from the patient'"'"'s temperature in view of an effect of flow-related heat dissipation on the difference between patient temperature and the temperature of the liquid incubation medium bathing the patient in the incubator.

Claims

1. In an incubator for babies before implantation, wherein a means of patient thermometry detects an actual patient temperature and which said temperature can differ from an ambient temperature of incubation liquid media ventilating the patient, a method of thermoregulation for a human embryo or hatchling within the incubator, comprising steps of:

(a) detecting the actual patient temperature and comparing it to a predetermined value for an optimal patient temperature;

(b) when the actual patient temperature is lower than the optimal patient temperature, warming the patient by means of thermal controls selected from the group consisting of raising the ambient temperature, decreasing a dissipation of endogenous heat, increasing a radiant heating of the patient, and raising endogenous heat production; and

,

(c) when the actual patient temperature is higher than the optimal patient temperature, cooling the patient by means of thermal controls selected from the group consisting of lowering the ambient temperature, increasing a dissipation of endogenous heat, decreasing a radiant heating of the patient, and lowering endogenous heat production.

5. The method of claim 1, further including:

(d) when the actual patient temperature is in a state of equilibrium or steady-state equilibrium, relaxing or perturbing at least one of the thermal controls and charting a progress of the patient to a new patient temperature.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the relaxing or perturbing commences when the actual patient temperature is equal to the optimal patient temperature.

7. The method of claim 6, further including:

(e) repeating steps (a) through (c) to restore the patient to the optimal patient temperature;

whereby the patient is maintained at the optimal patient temperature along with periodic charting of the patient temperature in response to relaxing or perturbing the thermal controls.

2. In an incubator for babies before implantation, wherein a microfluidic means controls a rate of flow of incubation liquid media passing over in fluidic contact with a human embryo or hatchling, a method of patient thermoregulation within the incubator, comprising steps of:

(a) maintaining an ambient temperature of the incubation liquid media in fluidic contact with the patient, wherein the ambient temperature is preset to a temperature lower than an optimal patient temperature;

(b) detecting an actual patient temperature by means of patient thermometry and which said actual patient temperature can differ from the ambient temperature;

(c) comparing the actual patient temperature to the optimal patient temperature;

(d) when the actual patient temperature is higher than the optimal patient temperature, signaling the microfluidic means to increase the rate of flow, whereby consequent increases in flow-related dissipation of endogenous patient heat lower the actual patient temperature closer to the optimal patient temperature;

(e) when the actual patient temperature is lower than the optimal patient temperature, signaling the microfluidic means to decrease the rate of flow, whereby consequent decreases in flow-related dissipation of endogenous patient heat raise the actual patient temperature closer to the optimal patient temperature;

(f) repeating steps (b) through (e) until the actual patient temperature is equal to the optimal patient temperature or until the rate of flow is higher or lower than a predetermined range of acceptable flow rates;

(g) when step (d) results in the rate of flow which is higher than the predetermined acceptable range, lowering the ambient temperature; and

,

(h) when step (e) results in the rate of flow which is lower than the predetermined acceptable range or zero, raising the ambient temperature.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the means of patient thermometry comprises infrared microthermography.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the optimal patient temperature is 37 degrees Celsius.