Infant Incubator

Infant incubator or isolette is a biomedical device in which it provides warmth, humidity and oxygen in a controlled manner as required by the newborn baby and also it maintains a healthy and clean environment.

HISTORY BEHIND INFANT INCUBATORS:

• During 1891 the modern incubator is invented by DR.Alexandar Lyon.

• In 1907 Pierre Constant Budin proposed the study of the influence of body temperature on infant mortality.

• In 1932 Julius Hess in his patents for incubators proposed a mechanism of addition of oxygen supplement in the incubator.

• Later 1933 Blackfan and Yaglaw released the report for the improved survival on newborn infants nurtured in humidity enriched environment.

DIAGRAMATIC REPRESENTATION OF THE PARTS OF INCUBATOR:

DEPARTMENTS THAT USE INCUBATORS:

• NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
• SCN (Special Care Nursery)
• Postnatal care wards
• Labour ward(sometimes transport incubators are found to transport the newborn to NICU.

SCIENCE BEHIND INFANT INCUBATORS:

Generally, infant incubator is used to provide needed temperature for a baby, so the thermoregulation process is incorporated with it.

WHAT IS THERMOREGULATION?

Thermoregulation is the ability of the body to equalize the heat produced and heat lost by the body thereby maintain the body temperature in the normal range. The normal body temperature is 37°C which this temperature is maintained by the hypothalamus. If the skin temperature drops below 37°C, a variety of responses are initiated to conserve the heat in the body and to increase heat production. Heat may be produced in different activities that taking place in our body mainly during metabolic activity. Heat lost may occur mainly by these categories they are Evaporation, Radiation, Conduction and Convection.

SCHEMATIC REPRESENTATION OF THE PROCESS OF INFANT INCUBATOR             

THERMOREGULATION PROCESS IN UTERUS:

Essentially the baby in a coldblooded creature so it unable to thermoregulate like adults, therefore, it adapts the mother core temperature, Generally the baby’s core temperature is always slightly 0.5°C above than the mother core temperature. When this thermal instability causes the baby cannot able to breathe and some risk has arrived. Even this instability can last for several days or even weeks.

WHY INCUBATORS IS NEEDED:-

WHY PREMATURE NEONATES NEED INCUBATOR:

Commonly babies are born more than 37 weeks if the babies are born less than 37 weeks the babies are admitted in NICU(Neonatal intensive care unit). In NICU the premature baby is quite physically and developmentally developed and those are unable to transition to the normal outside environment. They can’t control their body temperature and also it shows many unstable vital conditions, So these babies need to remain in the controlled environment known as incubator it is also known as the isolette. In which it provides heat to keep constant body temperature and also maintain the uterine environment.

WHY WE NEED INCUBATORS:

The incubators are used to provide a constant temperature. In NICU the bright light causes a negative impact on the infants in which the infants are so sensitive and fragile bodies. Incubators reduce direct light exposure thereby it helps the infant to reduce strain. Other than the temperature it helps to provide the proper oxygen supply to the infants.

PRINCIPLE OF INFANT INCUBATORS:

In incubators underneath the baby are an air-blown electric heating system and humidification system in which it circulates heated humid air at a desired temperature and humidity through the incubator chamber. Oxygenation also provided for the infant.

WORKING PRINCIPLE:

• The mattress is present in the incubator where the baby lies is completely enclosed by a clear plastic canopy.

• In this temperature and humidity are the parameters which have to be controlled.

• A temperature sensor is tapped into the baby skin and the incubator heater adjusts to maintain the baby at a constant temperature.

• The isolation chamber that helps to regulate the temperature of an infant and can provide air which is enriched in humidity/oxygen.

• The temperature in the incubator is increased or decreased by a heating element which is placed below the mattress.

PREPARATION OF THE INFANT INCUBATOR:

• Pre-warmed the desired temperature based on the infant age, size and condition.

• Use air mode and must once calibrate the motor running if in use for a baby.

• Check and record the temperature, humidity and oxygen levels.

• Ensure that alarms are working automatically.

• No equipment is placed in the top of the canopy.

• Re-check the temperature adjustments.

• Before using the infant incubator it must be cleaned and sterilized.

FUNCTION OF INFANT INCUBATOR:

1. Shielding infants from germs and microorganisms.
2. Temperature control.
3. Humidity control.
4. Breathing gas filtration.
5. O2 concentration.

TYPES OF INCUBATORS:-

1) OPEN BOX INCUBATORS: This open box incubator is also known as Armstrong incubators, provide radiant heat below the baby but are otherwise open to the air, allowing for easy access.

2) CLOSED BOX INCUBATORS: It has a fresh air filtration system that minimizes the risk of infection and prevents the loss of moisture from the air.

3) DOUBLE-WALLED INCUBATORS: It has two walls that can further prevent heat and air moisture loss.

4) SERVO-CONTROL INCUBATORS: These are automatically programmed to adjust temperature and humidity levels based on skin sensors attached to the baby.

5) PORTABLE INCUBATORS: This is also known as transport incubators, are used to move the newborn from one part of the hospital to another.

BLOCK DIAGRAM OF INFANT INCUBATOR:

BLOCK DIAGRAM OF TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY CONTROLLER

BLOCK DIAGRAM OF THE POWER SUPPLY UNIT

COMPONENTS OF INFANT INCUBATOR:

HEATER: The room air that is passed over the heater is heated to the desired temperature which the infant is needed. 

HUMIDIFIER: The heated air pass through the humidifier to be humidified to the desired range.

FRONT PANEL: This is used to interface with the machine to get the desired operation.

FILTER: The filter that is used in the incubator is to protect the infant from airborne bacteria and also the impurities /germs.

BLOWER: The fan/blower is used to circulate the air in the infant incubator.

POWER SUPPLY: The power supply provides the necessary voltage required by the infant incubator.

ADVANCEMENTS IN INFANT INCUBATORS:

Since the 19th century, the devices termed as incubators were developed to maintain thermal stability for underweight newborn and sick babies thus improving the chances of survival. Many advancements are developed for infant incubators such as mechanical ventilators specially designed for neonates. There are many parameters included in infant incubators such as oxygenation support, ECG for low heart rate babies and continuous predictive monitoring are available.

RISK IN INFANT INCUBATOR:

• Mechanical stress has damaged temperature. The control mechanism, in which in turn have overheated infants, causing brain damage or death.

• High noise level causes the risk of newborn babies.

• Illumination of light causes the great risk of the visual pathway of the newborn.

• Sometimes due to lack/more of oxygen may lead to shallow respiratory problems such as APNEA(irregular respiratory pattern).

• Hypothermia is caused this is characterized by lowering of the body temperature than 36°C.

TROUBLES ARISES IN INFANT INCUBATOR:

• Lack of maintenance results in the use of incubator with high-ambient noise levels which cause misaligned air-circulating fan results in hearing loss.

• The defective door may sometimes cause damage.

• Sometimes there is damage in the chord arise problems.

HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEMS:

• Servo-control incubators are automatically programmed to adjust temperature and humidity based on skin sensors that padded on the newborn babies.

• Open-box system provides radiant heat below the baby easy access to outside.

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE OF INFANT INCUBATOR:

• Be sure that the plastic housings are intact, that all hardware present and tight, and serious abuse. Remove any tape adhere to the unit, check all rubber and plastic gaskets in the unit.

• Verify all parts are assembled correctly. The misassembly of internal components that could interfere with performance.

• If the device is mounted on a stand or cart, examine the condition of the mount.

• Check all the nuts and bolts ate tightened fully. Use the screwdriver.

• Examine the AC power plug for the damage. If damaged replace the entire cord.

• Check the condition of all tubing, cuff, and bulbs.

• Examine all fittings and electrical cable connectors for general condition.

• Disassemble the heating unit enough to expose the heating element.

• Inspect the fan blades for deterioration and damage.

• Inspect the physical conditions of the battery and battery connectors.

• Since incubators carry oxygen, a fire hazard sign may be visible.

• Check the action of the primary and safety thermostats with the fully assembled.

• Clean the exterior and interior.

• Calibrate if needed.

ROLE OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERS:

As a biomedical engineer, we have to maintain the equipment such as calibrate the equipment for a regular period of times, check the power sources before use, the above preventive maintenance has to be checked by every biomedical engineer.

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Article Written By:-

👉 Surya@Kruthiga