Incubators Patents (Class 600/22)
  • Patent number: 8617043
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the physiological conditions of an infant includes an infant microenvironment. A motion sensor is disposed about the microenvironment. A processor is communicatively connected to the motion sensor. The processor receives motion signals from the motion sensors and processes the motion signals to derive an indication of a stress level of the infant. A method of monitoring the physiological condition of an infant includes detecting motion of the infant with motion sensors. A baseline motion for the infant is derived from the detected motion with a processor. An onset or change in at least one auxiliary parameter is monitored with an auxiliary sensor. Motion of the infant is monitored with the motion sensor after the onset or change in the at least one auxiliary parameter. A stress level of the infant is derived with the processor from the monitored motion of the infant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lawrence G. Ten Eyck, Aparna Katakam, Karen Starr
  • Publication number: 20130345494
    Abstract: An infant incubator including: an infant chamber isolated from external air; a conditioning bath communicating with the infant chamber; an air-conditioning equipment circulating air in the infant chamber through the conditioning bath; a fan provided at the air-conditioning equipment and moving air in the conditioning bath; a heater provided at the air-conditioning equipment and heating the air in the conditioning bath; a humidifier provided at the air-conditioning equipment, removably installed on a constructional member of the conditioning bath, and supplying water-vapor to the air in the conditioning bath; and a channel member for supplying water-vapor removably installed on a water-vapor introduction port penetrating the constructional member of the conditioning bath, and connecting the humidifier and the conditioning bath, in this infant incubator, the channel member for supplying water-vapor closes the water-vapor introduction port when the humidifier is removed, and opens the water-vapor introduction po
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Kazuo MATSUBARA, Terumi MATSUBARA, Kenji KOBAYASHI, Yoko KODAIRA, Keisuke WAKABAYASHI
  • Patent number: 8613697
    Abstract: An incubator or thermotherapy device is provided with a reclining surface and with one or more limiting walls and with openings or removed side walls and with a foot side opening or removed foot-side side wall. Air discharge channels (7, 8, 9), on sides, contain guide elements of a guide device (11) with angles in the range of about 15° to 100° and spoilers of a deflecting device (13) with deflection angles of about 15° to 110°. The air discharge velocity is in the range of about 0.1 m/sec to 1.0 m/sec. The guide elements discharge angle in the front-side discharge channel corresponds to the deflection angle of the spoilers in the discharge channels. The air discharge velocity from the front-side discharge channel has a maximum in the middle of the discharge channel and changes continuously towards the sides to the air discharge velocity from the discharge channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Dräger Medical GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Otte, Jochim Koch, Arthur Chung-Che Kuo
  • Patent number: 8602963
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing patient access in a warming therapy device (e.g., incubator, warmer, etc.) is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a hood with a retractable top member, which permits access to a patient disposed within the warming therapy device without lowering or removal of one or more sidewalls of the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Draeger Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Chilton, III
  • Publication number: 20130310635
    Abstract: An infant incubator including: an infant chamber in which an infant is placed; an air-supply passage for supplying supply-air to the infant chamber; and a heater equipment for heating the supply-air having a mount base which is mounted in the air-supply passage and a heater which is held to the mount base rotatably, wherein the heater has: a support part provided at a base end of the heater and supported by the mount base rotatably; and a heating part provided at a top end of the heater and heating the supply-air, and the heating part is formed by winding a heating-wire into a coil-shape and disposed so that an axial direction of the coil-shape is orthogonal to a flow direction of the supply-air passing through the air-supply passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: ATOM MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuo Matsubara, Terumi Matsubara, Hidetoshi Sato, Kenji Kobayashi, Keisuke Wakabayashi
  • Publication number: 20130310634
    Abstract: An infant incubator including: a bed of an infant; a first supporting-shaft disposed at obliquely above the bed, extends substantially horizontally, and rotatable back and forth at a predetermined extent around an axis; a rotation stay fixed to and rotated with the first supporting-shaft; a second supporting-shaft provided with the rotation stay and parallel to the first supporting-shaft; and a heater disposed at obliquely above the bed, supported to the rotation stay rotatably back and forth at a predetermined extent around the second supporting-shaft, and possible to emit heat ray obliquely to an upper surface of the bed, wherein a position of the heater can be varied between a heating position for emitting the heat ray and a folding position for moving away from above the bed; and at the heating position, an emission angle of the heat ray from the heater is further varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: ATOM MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuo Matsubara, Terumi Matsubara, Shinichi Kobayashi, Kenji Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8585574
    Abstract: An infant warmer includes an infant enclosure defining an infant compartment, and a heating system pneumatically coupled with the infant compartment. The heating system includes a heater configured to selectively transfer heat to the infant compartment, and a thermal storage device configured to store heat from the heater and to selectively transfer said stored heat to the infant compartment. The infant warmer also includes a controller operatively connected to the heating system. The controller is configured to regulate the transfer of heat from the thermal storage device such that a target temperature is maintained within the infant compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lawrence Guy Ten Eyck, Steven Mitchell Falk
  • Patent number: 8585573
    Abstract: An infant warmer apparatus includes a base, a crib and a frame. The frame includes a support plate assembly comprising a plate member defining a pivot aperture and a notch. The heater assembly includes a canopy, and a mounting shaft. The mounting shaft defines a first terminal end secured to the canopy and a second terminal end passing through the pivot aperture of the plate member. The mounting shaft includes a biasing pin configured to settle within the notch of the plate member when the heater assembly is in a neutral position relative to the frame. The mounting shaft is rotatable within the pivot aperture such that the heater assembly can be pivoted in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction from the neutral position. A controller is configured to turn off the heater assembly when the heater assembly is pivoted out of the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roopesh Edavana, Ramkumar Meenakshisundaram, Ronald N. Blaski
  • Publication number: 20130303834
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing warming therapy is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a base for supporting a medical patient and a duct cover removably coupled to the base. The duct cover may include first and second portions which cooperate with one another to form an air flow trench between a humidifier module and a fan unit. The duct cover operates to direct humidified air from the humidifier module directly to the fan unit, so that excess moisture around the apparatus is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Draeger Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Gershteyn
  • Publication number: 20130296635
    Abstract: An incubator comprises an incubator chamber defined by a bottom part and a top casing covering a bed area of the bottom part. The incubator comprises an air treatment and circulation device for treating air and circulating it through the chamber, said air treatment and circulation device including a ventilator. The air treatment and circulation device is connected to chamber inlet openings which are arranged along one or more sides of said bed area, allowing treated air to flow from the treatment and circulation device into the chamber. The air treatment and circulation device furthermore is connected to at least one chamber outlet opening allowing air to flow out from the chamber to the treatment and circulation device. The air flows in the incubator are routed such that noise is reduced and no high air flow speeds occur near the infant in the incubator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: BABYBLOOM HEALTHCARE B.V.
    Inventors: Jeroen Bink, Oskar Van Dijk, Haleen Willemsen, Jeroen Van Den Hout
  • Patent number: 8568290
    Abstract: An infant warmer (10) includes a heater canopy (18) comprising a. heater (30) configured to generally uniformly distribute radiant energy over a fixed region. The heater canopy (18) may also include a lamp (32) configured to selectively generate light. The heater canopy (18) may also include a stencil (34) positioned relative to the lamp (32) such that at least a portion of the light passes through the stencil (34) to generate a projected image (56). The projected image (56) is configured to highlight the fixed region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sreedhar Jyothigowdanapura Vyasarao, Ramkumar Meenakshisundaram
  • Publication number: 20130281763
    Abstract: An improved incubator (4) and control apparatus (16) include separate temperature and humidity control loops (36, 38) wherein a commanded temperature (44) and a commanded relative humidity (RH) value (46) are commanded to the control apparatus via a user interface (40). The humidity control loop (36) employs specific humidity (SH) in its control operations. The use of SH rather than RH decouples humidity from temperature and thus simplifies control of both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Sanjay Bharadwaj, Uttama Kumar Sahu
  • Patent number: 8562510
    Abstract: An incubator or open patient care unit (1) is provided, which can be opened and closed by one or more side panes (2). The side pane (2) or each side pane (2) is equipped with essentially vertical guide elements (3, 4). A drive (10) may be provided with an associated analysis unit (11) for the drive (10), wherein the analysis unit (11) receives sensor and/or switching signals, so that the side pane (2) can be automatically opened and/or closed by a preset time or sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Dräger Medical GmbH
    Inventor: Jochim Koch
  • Publication number: 20130274543
    Abstract: An infant incubator including: a left-side treatment door, a right-side treatment door, and an end-side treatment door which are rotatably held, and door-locking devices which fixes the left-side and right-side treatment doors on the end-side treatment door; the door-locking devices are formed from: open-close knobs each mounted rotatably on the left-side and right-side treatment doors and each having a hook-shaped distal end, and knob brackets each mounted on side of the end-side treatment doors having a hollow-shape, the infant incubator in which the treatment doors are fixed in a stand state by inserting the open-close knob into the knob bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: ATOM MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuo Matsubara, Terumi Matsubara, Shinichi Kobayashi, Kenji Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20130274544
    Abstract: An improved incubator assembly includes a number of movable walls and a circulation system having a fluid guide apparatus adjacent each movable wall. The fluid guide apparatuses generate a first jet of air in a direction generally parallel with a wall in the closed position and a second jet of air in a direction oblique to the wall in the closed position. Whenever one of the movable walls is moved from its closed position to its open position, the jet of air that had been flowing parallel with such wall continues to flow and forms an air curtain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Sanjay Bharadwaj, Thejasvi Mysore Sathyasundara, Roopesh Edavana
  • Publication number: 20130267765
    Abstract: A magnetically permeable neonate transport capsule (MPNTC) for transporting a premature neonate from a host infant incubator having a steady environmental condition to an MRD. The MPNTC has at least one first normally open configuration when the capsule is disposed within the incubator and a second closed configuration for removal, transportation, insertion, measurement and vice versa within an MRD device. The MPNTC includes an environmental control system thereby adapted to maintain continuous attachment of the neonate with life support connection lines. The MPNTC is further adapted to maintain environmental conditions substantially similar to the host infant incubator environmental condition when the MPNTC is transported from the incubator to the MRD device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: ASPECT MAGNET TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventor: Uri RAPOPORT
  • Publication number: 20130261376
    Abstract: A thermotherapy device, especially incubator, for the treatment, includes a bordered bed surface freely accessible from above for receiving a newborn. A hood (2) is provided covering the bordered bed surface (4). A heating device (3) is arranged so as to be able to radiate the hood and bordered bed surface. A control and analysis unit is set up to determine the dew point and the temperature at the inner wall of the hood (2), and is also set up to activate the heating device (3) when the temperature at the inner wall of the hood falls below the sum of the dew point and a preset safety margin, and to deactivate the heating device (3) as soon as a temperature determined for the inner wall of the hood reaches a preset value above the dew point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Dräger Medical GmbH
    Inventor: Jochim KOCH
  • Patent number: 8535214
    Abstract: Provided is a modular infant care system having a warming therapy device and a peripheral device. The warming therapy device includes a plurality of wheels and a patient support surface having an adjustable height. The peripheral device has at least one wheel and is adapted for releasably engaging the warming therapy device proximate the patient support surface. When the warming therapy device and the peripheral device are engaged to each other, the infant care system is movable as a combined unit. Also provided is a method for transporting a patient using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Draeger Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Chilton, III
  • Publication number: 20130217981
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a warming therapy device (e.g., incubator, warmer, etc.) is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a Graphical User Interface (GUI) coupled to the warming therapy device for monitoring patient medical information, and for controlling various aspects of the warming therapy device accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Draeger Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Draeger Medical Systems, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8506472
    Abstract: In an incubator according to the present invention, a single incubator can be used in any state of four types of devices and thus obviates the need for having many types of devices. A canopy is lowered and raised. In addition to that, a left and right treatment door and a foot end treatment door can be located at their highest positions, lowest positions, and intermediate positions. Also, an infrared heater can be lowered and raised independently of the canopy. This makes it possible to switch the incubator among: a state of an open type incubator; a state of a closed type incubator in which the infrared heater is at its highest position such that the infrared heater can heat the canopy and others; a state of a closed type incubator in which the infrared heater is at its lowest position and this incubator is easily conveyable; and a state of a resuscitation treatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Atom Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Terumi Matsubara, Eiji Koike, Keisuke Wakabayashi, Shinichi Kobayashi, Naoki Honma, Kazuo Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20130204074
    Abstract: Disclosed is a transport incubator capable of housing and maintaining a neonate in a controlled environment while being transported for medical care. The incubator comprises straps to secure the neonate, a battery-operated heater, a fan to circulate the warmed air, a source of humidity and at least one portable oxygen bottle. Capable of being worn by a user like a backpack, the incubator is portable and is useful for transport through difficult terrain. After making contact with a designated transport vehicle, the incubator can be disengaged from the backpack and mounted to a housing platform in the transport vehicle, the platform comprising a suspension system to minimize vibrations on the neonate. It is contemplated that the incubator system can accommodate an AC-powered battery during vehicular transport of the neonate to a medical care facility. A control unit displays data relevant to the controlled environment of the incubator and the neonate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Belval, Phillip T. Brox, Harold Dean, IV, Brett P. Raver
  • Patent number: 8499764
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of their use are described herein. In an aspect, an apparatus includes: a structure defining an aperture at an engagement surface configured to reversibly seal to a surface on an individual body, and further defining an isolation field; at least one gas port; one or more gas inlets operably attached to the at least one gas port, the one or more gas inlets oriented to maintain a non-turbulent gas flow traversing at least a part of the surface on the individual body; one or more gas outlets distally positioned on the structure from the one or more gas inlets, the one or more outlets configured to release a gas from the isolation field while maintaining a positive pressure in the isolation field relative to the outside environment of the structure; and at least one sealable access site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Publication number: 20130158339
    Abstract: An infant care system creates a microenvironment about an infant patient. An environmental control device is operable to change an environmental condition within the microenvironment. An auxiliary sensor is operable to intermittently obtain auxiliary data. A processor operates the environmental control device based upon at least the intermittently obtained auxiliary data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James P. Cipriano, Lawrence G. Ten Eyck, Karen P. Starr
  • Publication number: 20130150655
    Abstract: An infant care system includes an infant care tower configured to receive at least one medical device. A processor operates the infant care tower and the at least one medical device. A bassinet is configured to receive an infant patient within a microenvironment defined and maintained by the bassinet. Upon connection of the bassinet to the infant care tower, the processor operates to control both the infant care tower and the bassinet in maintain the microenvironment of the bassinet. In a method of treating an infant patient, an infant patient is provided in a microenvironment defined and maintained by a bassinet. The bassinet is communicatively connected to the care tower and a first processor of the infant care tower operates the bassinet to maintain the microenvironment to provide medical care to the infant patient with the at least one medical device of the infant care tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Lawrence G. Ten Eyck, Steven M. Falk
  • Publication number: 20130150656
    Abstract: An infant transporter includes a transporter base, a support member secured to the base, and a housing supported by the support member. The housing includes a radio frequency coil adapted to emit a radio frequency configured to enable magnetic resonance imaging. The infant transporter exclusively comprises components that are magnetic resonance imaging compatible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven Falk, Thomas Underwood, Richard Mallozzi, Arkadiy Tsitlik, Karen Starr
  • Publication number: 20130109956
    Abstract: The present invention premature neonate life support environmental cradle (SEC), adapted by means of shape and size to be accommodated within (i) an incubator for premature neonates; and (ii) a measurement device, especially an MRI device. The SEC is configured for a first at least one open position for accommodating said neonate whilst the SEC is within the incubator, and a second closed position for confinement of the neonate within a sealed volume of incubator atmosphere within the SEC such that the integrity of the confinement is maintained upon removal of the closed SEC containing the neonate from the incubator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: ASPECT IMAGING LTD.
    Inventor: Uri Rapoport
  • Publication number: 20130096365
    Abstract: A securing device for transport of a neonatal patient in a temperature-controlled incubator comprises a vacuum mattress (12), comprising a gas-tight mattress case (14) enclosing a granular filler material (16), which vacuum mattress (12) is arranged to be brought from a flexible state into a rigid state by evacuation of gas from the same, the vacuum mattress (12) comprising a first side portion (28) arranged to be folded up around a first side of the patient (22), a second side portion (30) arranged to be folded up around a second side of the patient (22), and a bottom portion (27) arranged to be fastened in an incubator (48).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: PA CONSULTING AB
    Inventor: Pär Andersson
  • Patent number: 8419610
    Abstract: In an infant care apparatus according to this invention, heat rays are radiated from a heat radiation opening of a heater to a bed. The direction of the heat radiation opening can be changed from the first state in which the heat radiation opening substantially faces the bed to the second state in which the heat radiation opening does not substantially face the bed. According to the infant care apparatus of this invention, when the heater is not used, there is no possibility that the remaining heat of the heater is transferred to the infant laying on the bed. There is therefore no possibility that the infant will be unnecessarily overheated. There is no need to operate the heater and the like of the infant care apparatus in such a manner that the infant lying on the bed and surrounding people have feelings that rough operation is performed. This will keep the infant and the surrounding people free from adverse effects in terms of mental health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Atom Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Matsubara, Eiji Koike, Shinchi Kobayashi, Masato Honda, Hidetoshi Sato, Keisuke Wakabayashi
  • Publication number: 20130085320
    Abstract: An incubator to maintain environmental conditions suitable for an infant is provided. The incubator comprises a vertical support structure with a plurality of horizontal columns connected to a bottom end of the vertical support structure to form a base portion. A crib is mounted on to the vertical support structure above the base portion for supporting the infant. The crib comprises a base plate and a plurality of plates arranged in a predetermined manner to form side walls of the crib. At least one dispenser nozzle is provided in the side walls for supplying water vapors to the crib. A humidification system, attachable at least to the base portion of the incubator, is fluidly connected to the inlets of the dispenser nozzles for supplying the water vapors. A radiant warmer is mounted on a top end of the vertical support structure for supplying radiant heat energy to the crib.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
  • Patent number: 8409073
    Abstract: An incubator according to the present invention will be able to prevent accidents to the incubator itself or other devices, a doctor, a nurse or others causing external force even if the external force is applied to a canopy of a newborn chamber. An optical detector in a control mechanism detects application of external force to the canopy of the newborn chamber, and a signal output section in the control mechanism outputs a signal that renders a driving mechanism for lowering and raising the canopy non-operational when the application of external force is detected. Accordingly, even if external force is applied to the canopy by bump, contact, putting some object or others, the driving mechanism will not continue or start to lower or raise the canopy while the external force is applied to the canopy because the driving mechanism will be rendered non-operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Atom Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Ibara, Terumi Matsubara, Eiji Koike, Shinichi Kobayashi, Naoki Honma, Hidetoshi Sato, Kazuo Matsubara
  • Patent number: 8409072
    Abstract: In an infant care apparatus according to this invention, the inner surface of an upper reflecting plate portion of a reflector forms a reflecting surface extending substantially parallel to the axial direction of a rod-like heat generator. A first angle at which a rear end of the reflecting surface as an end portion on a side opposite to the center of an infant mat, when seen from the top, of a direction perpendicular to the axial direction is bent downward with respect to a center in a back-and-forth direction of the reflecting surface, which is developed substantially flat, is larger than a second angle at which a front end of the reflecting surface as an end opposite to the rear end is bent downward with respect to the center of the reflecting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Atom Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Terumi Matsubara, Eiji Koike, Masato Honda, Tomochi Kira, Yutaka Sekiguchi, Kazuo Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20130066143
    Abstract: A method and microenvironment includes accessing a dynamic image from a computer-readable medium and displaying the dynamic image on a display device communicatively connected to the microenvironment. The dynamic image includes a representation of an action performed by a clinician with respect to the microenvironment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lawrence G. Ten Eyck, Steven M. Falk
  • Patent number: 8361000
    Abstract: An automated infant massager system that monitors an infant's physical, physiological and behavioral response to the massage and can adjust the intensity of the massage and massager duration settings based on the responses of the infant and/or information from a user, preferably autonomously. A processor, which is operatively associated with the infant massager, coordinates overall operations and functions of the infant massager, as well as receiving information regarding the infant's physical, behavioral, and physiological responses to the massage. The user input through the remote receiver transmitter, and/or an associated bar code/radio-frequency identification (RFID) scanner, and/or direct communications with the processor may be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Sanna Gaspard
  • Patent number: 8360953
    Abstract: A transferring and holding device and method for holding infants having lifelines, such as IV tubes, monitor wire leads, and ventilator tubes, connected thereto. In one embodiment, the device includes a support surface adapted to hold an infant; a boundary attached to and bolstering the support surface; and at least one securing mechanism adapted to secure the lifelines and to impede the lifelines from being disconnected from the infant. The support surface preferably has openings to enable skin-to-skin contact between the infant and a person holding the infant, and at least a portion of the support surface can be a nonabsorbent, open-weave webbed material. The boundary may include a foam member, and/or a flexible plastic or metal member to provide structural support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Robert D. White
  • Patent number: 8337384
    Abstract: In this invention, a grommet structure in an incubator includes a grommet attaching portion provided to the enclosure of the incubator and a grommet member attached to the grommet attaching portion. The grommet member includes a longitudinal member holding incision to hold a longitudinal member such as an oxygen supply tube that extends through it. The longitudinal member holding incision forms at least one substantially S-shaped shape (in other words, a substantially sine-curved shape) and/or a substantially waving shape. This invention can provide the grommet structure in the incubator, in which the longitudinal member such as an oxygen supply tube held by the longitudinal incision of the grommet member and extending through the incision is less likely to move accidentally in the longitudinal direction of the incision or in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Atom Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Honma, Shinichi Kobayashi, Kazuo Matsubara
  • Patent number: 8302608
    Abstract: A compactable vaginal pessary for managing pelvic organ prolapse is provided. The compactable pessary easily expands once inside a patient's vagina, remaining firmly anchored in the vaginal cavity during movement, thereby effectively countering the effects of any prolapsing organ. In a first embodiment, the vaginal pessary employs an expandable and collapsible frame member, while in a second embodiment; the frame member is an open, substantially cone-shaped, collapsible frame member that is biased to an open position. In a third embodiment, the compactable vaginal pessary is a yieldably extensible, self-retracting pessary. The vaginal pessary of the present invention may be easily inserted and removed by a patient on a daily basis, or as needed, thereby facilitating good hygiene and thus reducing or eliminating common pessary related complications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Oz Harmanli
    Inventor: Oz Harmanli
  • Patent number: 8292798
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Eurica Califorrniaa
  • Patent number: 8287443
    Abstract: To stabilize the air flow forming an air curtain, a thermotherapy device (1) is provided with air outlet ducts (3) extending at the edge of the reclining surface (2) and with two opposite limiting walls (6, 6?). Each of the two opposite limiting walls (6, 6?) is arranged corresponding to the duct width for outflowing air. At least one limiting wall (6, 6?) of at least one air outlet duct (3) is provided with a cylinder (5, 5?) extending in the direction of flow of the air outlet duct (3) and in parallel to the reclining surface (2) at the discharge-side end, wherein the cylinder (5, 5?) has a diameter corresponding to 0.005 to 0.2 times the duct width of the air outlet duct (3). According to a variant, at least one limiting wall (6, 6?) of at least one air outlet duct (3) is provided with at least one inner wall (81, 82, 83, 84) forming a nozzle at the discharge-side end. The distance between the limiting wall (6, 6?) and the inner wall (81, 82, 83, 84) forming a nozzle with the limiting wall (6, 6?) is 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Dräger Medical AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Arthur Kuo
  • Publication number: 20120238798
    Abstract: A hand insertion door board is attached to the peripheral portion of each hand insertion window formed in an outside portion of a newborn infant container of an incubator. A holding portion is formed on one side portion of the hand insertion door board in the lateral direction. A bracket which pivotally supports a support shaft having a vertical axis is attached to the holding portion. A latch lever is pivotally supported by the support shaft of the bracket. A press lever which releases latching operation of the latch lever is pivotally attached by using the support shaft of the bracket. When the press lever is pressed against the biasing force of a compression coil spring, the press lever presses projecting pieces of the latch lever to make the latch lever pivot about the support shaft to the release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Atom Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Matsubara, Terumi Matsubara, Eiji Koike, Naoki Honma, Yoko Nagai
  • Publication number: 20120220817
    Abstract: Equipment for the comprehensive care of high-risk newborns that ventilates, incubates, monitors and facilitates medical procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DEL PERU
    Inventors: Claudio Bruno Castillón Levano, Carlos Andrés Mugruza Vassallo, Jorge Luis Coello Durand
  • Publication number: 20120215054
    Abstract: The present invention refers to hospital equipment, comprising at least an incubator of the closed kind having at least a side wall and at least a lid or dome, thereby defining a cabin inside of which there is provided at least a bed to receive at least a patient, at least one of the walls and/or dome being transparent, operatively associable to, at least, phototherapy equipment, and additionally comprising a film with anti-fog properties associated to at least one of the side walls and/or the dome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: FANEM LTDA.
    Inventor: Djalma Luiz Rodrigues
  • Patent number: 8246531
    Abstract: An incubator for imaging with non-ionising radiation adapted for the care of newborn babies, which integrates a system projective or tomographic imaging system, or both simultaneously, which makes use of non-ionising radiation in the band of the electromagnetic spectrum included between ultraviolet light and far infrared, a system which can be used to view a subject (11) located in the incubator (19) such that this projective or tomographic image can be morphological or functional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Fundacion Para la Investigacion Biomedica del Hospital Gregorio Maranon
    Inventors: Juan Jose Vaquero Lopez, Manuel Desco Menendez, Manuel Sanchez Luna
  • Patent number: 8241200
    Abstract: An incubator transporter interface assembly for releasably securing an incubator to a transporter is provided. The interface assembly includes equipment mounts that pivot together between an engaging position and a disengaging position so as to engage and disengage, respectively, the incubator to and from a secured state with the interface assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ferno-Washington, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Chinn
  • Patent number: 8211694
    Abstract: Climate control unit with an interior section containing a storage space and with a closable access opening to the storage section whereby at least one part of the interior section is separated and sealed against the rest of the interior section thus forming a separate germ-proof section. The division takes place at least in part by a membrane that is permeable for water vapor and gas but impermeable for microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Thermo Electron LED GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Stahl, Olaf Broemsen, Ulrike Hohenthanner, Rainer Schuck, Waldemar Pieczarek
  • Publication number: 20120157757
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the physiological conditions of an infant includes an infant microenvironment. A motion sensor is disposed about the microenvironment. A processor is communicatively connected to the motion sensor. The processor receives motion signals from the motion sensors and processes the motion signals to derive an indication of a stress level of the infant. A method of monitoring the physiological condition of an infant includes detecting motion of the infant with motion sensors. A baseline motion for the infant is derived from the detected motion with a processor. An onset or change in at least one auxiliary parameter is monitored with an auxiliary sensor. Motion of the infant is monitored with the motion sensor after the onset or change in the at least one auxiliary parameter. A stress level of the infant is derived with the processor from the monitored motion of the infant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lawrence G. Ten Eyck, Aparna Katakam, Karen Starr
  • Publication number: 20120116150
    Abstract: An infant care system and apparatus includes a horizontal surface to support an infant. A microenvironment region is defined around the horizontal surface by at least one wall. A graphical display is disposed within the microenvironment region. A diagnostic imaging device is at least partially disposed within the microenvironment region to obtain diagnostic images of an infant disposed within the microenvironment region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Mitchell Falk, David M. Mills, Lawrence G. Ten Eyck, Marjorie McCue
  • Patent number: 8160718
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing warming therapy is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a warming platform, a heating source, a controller, and a plurality sensors. The heating source comprises a plurality of heating elements forming a matrix, wherein each heating element is operable to heat a corresponding region of the warming platform. The controller is operatively coupled to the heating source for controlling the temperature in each region of the warming platform. The plurality of sensors are operatively coupled to the controller for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient (e.g., body temperature) residing on the warming platform, and providing one or more control signals to the controller for selectively controlling the heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Draeger Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrei Khodak, Peter D. Sabota
  • Patent number: 8147396
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging sub-system for treating neonates is disclosed. The subsystem includes a radiographic compatible incubator for providing a controlled environment for a neonate, a radiographic compatible RF coil selectively coupled to the incubator for providing radiographic imaging of the neonate, and a radiographic compatible trolley for transporting the incubator and the RF coil. Additionally, the sub-system can include a radiographic MR compatible vital signs monitor, a radiographic compatible infusion pump, a radiographic compatible injector, a radiographic compatible ventilator, a radiographic compatible blender, radiographic compatible intravenous pole, tanks, pressure reducers/gauges and flow pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Imaging Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Ravi Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20120078034
    Abstract: An infant warmer includes an infant enclosure defining an infant compartment, and a heating system pneumatically coupled with the infant compartment. The heating system includes a heater configured to selectively transfer heat to the infant compartment, and a thermal storage device configured to store heat from the heater and to selectively transfer said stored heat to the infant compartment. The infant warmer also includes a controller operatively connected to the heating system. The controller is configured to regulate the transfer of heat from the thermal storage device such that a target temperature is maintained within the infant compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven Mitchell Falk, Lawrence Guy Ten Eyck
  • Patent number: 8142375
    Abstract: An automated infant massager has a base for supporting the infant and a plurality of first movable massage elements structured to underlie a portion of the infant. At least one motor is employed for effecting reciprocating movement of the first movable massage element. A plurality of second movable massage elements is provided for massaging the arms and legs of the infant. A plurality of third movable elements is provided within a head support for massaging portions of the infant's head, and a plurality of fourth movable massage elements are provided for massaging the infant's shoulders. The infant massager may, in one embodiment, be structured to receive and massage a premature infant, and in another embodiment, may be structured to receive and massage a full-term infant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Sanna Gaspard