Incubators Patents (Class 600/22)
  • Patent number: 7357811
    Abstract: An infant warming apparatus for supporting an infant upon an infant platform. The apparatus has a procedure light that is recessed into the normal horizontal overhead housing of the apparatus and thus integrated into the infant apparatus. The procedure light is conveniently located above and centrally positioned with respect to the infant so as to direct the light toward the infant. The mounting provides omnidirectional movement of the procedure light and the movement can be easily controlled by means of a control handle that extends downwardly with a distal end readily accessible to the caregiver. At or proximate to the distal end there is an electrical controller to enable the caregiver to change the intensity of the light beam. The light beam can also be easily focused so as to allow the caregiver to direct the desired beam of light onto the area of interest of the infant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher A. Dykes, Michael H. Mackin
  • Publication number: 20080081943
    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: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: DRAGER MEDICAL AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Jochim KOCH
  • Publication number: 20080076961
    Abstract: A process is provided for operating a thermotherapy device with a bed surface (10) and with discharge channels for conditioned air in the longitudinal direction of the bed surface (10) and on the foot side (3) thereof as well as with an exhaust unit (11) above the bed surface (10). The air being discharged from the discharge channels is directed towards the exhaust unit (11) such that the discharge angle ? changes continuously as a function of the distance between the exhaust unit (11) and the site of the discharge flow from the discharge channels, the elevation angle ? changes continuously as a function of the distance between the exhaust unit (11) and the site of the discharge flow from the discharge channels, and the value of the velocity of the discharge flow changes continuously as a function of the site of the discharge flow from the discharge channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: DRAGERWERK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Arthur KUO, Tobias OTTE
  • Publication number: 20080076962
    Abstract: The present invention provides an oxygen concentration control apparatus for an incubator and an incubator using the same also suitable for continuous use for a long period. A pulse oximeter measures percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) of a newborn accommodated in an incubator, and a control unit obtains fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) used for setting the measured value of the percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) obtained by the pulse oximeter to a predetermined set value. In the measurement of the percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) by the pulse oximeter, it is unnecessary to warm the skin of a region to be measured. Consequently, even if the percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) is measured continuously for a long period, there is low possibility that the accommodated newborn suffers a cold burn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Kazunori Miyagawa, Masayuki Sato, Kazuo Matsubara
  • Patent number: 7335157
    Abstract: A humidifier module for use with a thermal support apparatus including an air passageway includes a water reservoir and a vapor chamber. A heater is associated with the vapor chamber to generate vapor to humidify air in the air passageway. The humidifier module is movable between a first position coupled to the thermal support apparatus and a second position spaced apart from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Draeger Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted W. Czupich, Felix J. Gryn
  • Patent number: 7311657
    Abstract: A combination comprises a patient-support device and one or more carts that dock to the patient-support device. Some of the disclosed carts that dock to the patient-support device have pivotable storage bins. Some of the disclosed carts have equipment-carrying surfaces. Some of the disclosed carts have work surfaces or trays that move between storage and use positions. One of the disclosed carts has a storage module that transfers from a frame of the cart to a base of the patient-support device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Draeger Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Otho N. Boone, Ian McDermott, John H. Richards, Nancy St. Clair
  • Patent number: 7282022
    Abstract: An infant care apparatus having a canopy movable with respect to an infant support for supporting an infant between a lower position enclosing the infant in an infant compartment and an upper position opening the infant compartment. The canopy has an opening and a door that can be closed to block the opening and opened to unblock the opening. A radiant heater is located in a fixed position above the infant support to direct infrared energy toward the infant support. When the canopy is in its lower position, a convective heating system warms the infant compartment. The door either closes as the canopy moves to its lower position or opens as the canopy moves to its upper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Co
    Inventors: Steven M. Falk, Matthew L. Severns, Joseph Boris, Michael H. Mackin, Christopher A. Dykes
  • Patent number: 7278962
    Abstract: An incubator for newborn and premature patients includes an air delivery unit with an electric motor and heating and humidifying devices, a control unit including sensing devices to measure air temperature and humidity and a control panel integrally mounted to the incubator. Sensitive electrical components, such as the electric motor and control unit, are shielded from the magnetic field of the imaging equipment so that the incubator, with its patient, can be placed inside the imaging equipment and remain fully functional. Shielding for the electric motor is constructed of soft magnetic material and arranged to leave a dielectric gap between the shield and the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: LMT Lammers Medical Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Torsten Lönneker-Lammers
  • Patent number: 7264586
    Abstract: An infant warmer for supporting an infant upon an infant platform. A radiant heater is located above the infant platform to direct infrared energy toward an infant positioned upon the infant platform. There is a pre-heat cycle that is carried out by a controller of the radiant heater that may be activated, manually or automatically, at the start-up of the infant warmer. The pre-warm cycle then warms the infant platform as well as other surfaces in close proximity thereto in order to heat those components prior to the infant being placed on the infant platform. The pre-warm cycle continues until those components are sufficient heated whereupon a signal, audible, visual or both, alerts the user that the pre-heat cycle has been completed and the infant warmer is ready to receive the infant. By warming those components, the possibility of hypothermia of the infant is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael H. Mackin, Kathleen P. Martin
  • Patent number: 7255671
    Abstract: A patient care apparatus comprises a portable patient support module having a first mattress, a first platform carrying the first mattress, and a first canopy positioned on the first platform to enclose an infant positioned on the first mattress in a first isolation chamber. The portable patient support module is configured to be carried by hand when the infant is positioned on the first mattress. The patient care apparatus further comprises a second patient support module having a second mattress, a second platform carrying the second mattress, and a second canopy positioned on the second platform. The second platform and the second canopy cooperate to enclose the portable patient support module positioned on the second mattress in a second isolation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Draeger Medical Infant Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Otho N. Boone, Patricia S. Maher, Ian McDermott, Nancy St. Clair
  • Patent number: 7241616
    Abstract: Disclosed is a human cell/tissue culturing system including a plurality of incubators, each incubator capable of aseptically storing/culturing cell(s) or tissue(s) derived from a (human) individual and identifying the cell(s) or the tissue(s) during incubation, wherein each incubator comprises a detector corresponding to an individual key, the response of the detector permitting opening/closing of a door of each incubator, the response of the detector of one incubator triggering the interception of the function of the detector(s) of other incubator(s) to consequently inhibit opening/closing of the door(s) of the other incubator(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignees: Jikei University School of Medicine, Hirasawa Works
    Inventors: Tsuneya Ohno, Kikuo Hirasawa, Masanobu Hattori
  • Patent number: 7152455
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for rapid gas recovery in a controlled gas atmosphere enclosure, which are particularly suited for maintaining incubator gas concentration levels, include the formulation of algorithms utilized for this purpose. The algorithms are included in the firmware for an embedded controller and operate gas solenoids that have inputs defined as specific gases at a defined pressure. An application of the rapid gas recovery method and apparatus to incubators is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Bair, III, Byran M. Elwood
  • Patent number: 7121998
    Abstract: A vented microcradle comprising a microfabricated enclosure designed to maintain a human embryo or hatching in a controlled care environment, the enclosure forming a cradle support for the human embryo or hatchling and having a ventilation system to provide the human embryo or hatchling with gentle fluidic ventilation via associated microfluidics. In a preferred embodiment, the microfabricated enclosure is a picket fence structure with a vented flooring; the vented flooring, which has a grill-like pattern, forms part of the ventilation system in connection with associated microfluidics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventor: Eurica Califorrniaa
  • Patent number: 7108653
    Abstract: An infant warming apparatus having a canopy movable with respect to an infant support between a lower position where the canopy mates with an upper peripheral edge of vertical walls extending upwardly from the infant support to enclose the infant in an infant compartment and an upper position opening the infant compartment. There is an adjustable mounting system that allows the canopy to be initially moved along and rotated about various axes in order to align the canopy with the vertical walls during the assembly of the infant warming apparatus. Once properly aligned, the canopy can be fixed in a desired orientation and/or allowed some motion between the canopy and the vertical walls to assure of a correct alignment of the canopy with the walls to create an isolated infant compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Datex-Ohmeda, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael H. Mackin
  • Patent number: 7038588
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for patient point-of-care data management is provided. Patient point-of-care data is obtained in realtime or in substantially realtime and is made available to subscribers or authorized users on either a local computer display screen, a remote computer display screen, or both. In some embodiments, data associated with a plurality of patients is made available and is viewable simultaneously on a computer display screen. In some embodiments, patient point-of-care data from a plurality of hospitals is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Draeger Medical Infant Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Otho N. Boone, Nancy St. Clair, John H. Richards, Ian McDermott, Joseph P. Bagnell, Robert J. Strecker
  • Patent number: 7019656
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for notifying a user of a pending empty gas supply tank. The user can input the initial volume of the gas supply tank, a gas monitor can monitor the amount of gas that was injected into the chamber and an indicator can notify the user when the gas volume of the supply tank is at or below a predetermined level so that the user can take the appropriate action. Additionally, a gas volume converter can be included to convert from one volume unit to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Kendro Laboratory Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Bair, III, Bryan M. Elwood
  • Patent number: 7008371
    Abstract: A patient warming apparatus includes a patient support and a canopy that moves upwardly and downwardly relative to the patient support. A first heater is coupled to the canopy and moves upwardly and downwardly with the canopy. A second heater is coupled to the patient support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Draeger Medical Infant Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Goldberg, David C. Newkirk, William Olson, Michael M. Donnelly, Robert G. Moll, Alan Gutwillig
  • Patent number: 7003218
    Abstract: An incubator hood for an incubator for premature and newborn babies as well as to a process for regulating the temperature of an incubator hood are provided. The problem frequently occurring in incubator hoods is that the incubator hoods lead to heat losses at the premature and newborn babies and that water of condensation precipitates on the inside of the incubator in such incubator hoods, and this water of condensation obstructs the view and facilitates the growth of microorganisms in the incubator. This can be counteracted by a heated incubator hood. The comparatively complicated regulation processes, which requires the installation of temperature sensors in the incubator hood is avoided by the use of interior heating wires (1) in which temperature-dependent electric resistors (3), preferably PTC resistors with a nominal response temperature of about 37° C., are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Dräger Medical AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Wolf-Dieter Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6953427
    Abstract: An infant care apparatus having a canopy movable with respect to an infant support for supporting an infant between a lower position enclosing the infant in an infant compartment and an upper position opening the infant compartment. The canopy has an opening and a door that can be closed to block the opening and opened to unblock the opening. A radiant heater is located in a fixed position above the infant support to direct infrared energy toward the infant support. The door closes as the canopy moves to its lower position and opens as the canopy moves to its upper position. An object sensing means is provided to detect the presence of an object resting on the upper surface of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Datex-Ohmeda, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael H. Mackin, Christopher A. Dykes, Daniel F. Strauch, Joseph Boris
  • Patent number: 6942612
    Abstract: A hood with a double wall portion or wall adapter for a thermotherapy device. The wall adapter works with the hood in such thermotherapy devices to lower that part of the body heat of the premature or newborn infant lost due to radiation to the cooler hood. The construction avoids inter alia problems relating to water of condensation being formed, which may drop off. The double wall portion or wall adapter is arranged on the outside of a hood portion of the hood (1). The wall adapter (2) is fastened to the hood part (1) from the outside in a simple manner. A connection structure (5) provides for connection or locking of the wall adapter (2) at the hood (1). A seal (3) extends around the wall element of the wall adapter (2) to enclose an intermediate space between the wall adapter and (2) and the hood (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Dräger Medical AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: René-Christian Caspary, Eckhard Riggert
  • Patent number: 6929597
    Abstract: A closing device for a flap on an incubator hood or thermotherapy apparatus hood is equipped with flaps, which make access possible to the premature or newborn baby from the outside. A closing device for the flap (1) on an thermotherapy apparatus hood (3) is provided which guarantees reliable closing. A roller (9) at a second closing element (5) extends behind a first closing element (4). The roller (9) is mounted on an axle (8) with a clearance in a range of 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the axle (8) extends, so that an undefined state of the closing device, in which the roller (9), though touching the first closing element (4), does not extend behind it, is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Dräger Medical AG & Co., KGaA
    Inventor: Markus Hampe
  • Patent number: 6926663
    Abstract: An infant support for use with an incubator or a warmer or a combination thereof comprises a support surface having a head end and a foot end and a driver engageable with the head and foot ends. The driver comprises a first elevator and a second elevator. The first elevator is engageable with the head end and the second elevator is engageable with the foot end. The driver is movable to cause the head and foot ends to move between raised and lowered positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Draeger Medical Infant Care, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Costanzo
  • Patent number: 6926664
    Abstract: A hoodless incubator is provided, which supplies both a good microclimate in the area of the patient surface (1) and guarantees good access to the patient at the same time and continuously. The incubator includes a bed (1) and an air jet unit (6) arranged above the bed (1) and directed toward the bed (1). The air jet unit (6) discharges a jacketed impinging jet, formed of an inner, air-conditioned core jet (4) and a non-air-conditioned jacket jet (5) surrounding the core jet (4). The bed (1) is surrounded by a channel-like edge area (9), which is in flow connection with the air jet unit (6) via a first feed channel (13) with a first fan (11) arranged therein and with a heating and humidifying device (12) likewise arranged therein in order to form the air-conditioned core jet (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Dräger Medical AG & CO. KGaA
    Inventor: Jochim Koch
  • Patent number: 6918770
    Abstract: An Infant Nurturing Device for performing parent-infant attachment comprising a pouch area (25), a proportional external pouch covering (21), means for producing simulated parental body temperature (770), means for producing simulated parental heartbeat (750), means for producing simulated parental voice (780), means for producing simulated parental breathing (760) and a controller (740). The Infant Nurturing Device of the present invention is capable of performing adequate “Kangaroo Care” parent-infant attachment in the absence of biological parents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: BrightWave Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Edith Lamira Odiwo
  • Patent number: 6913571
    Abstract: A heater control system for an infant warming apparatus. The apparatus has a radiant heater comprising a heating element that is energized by an electrical supply to emit radiant energy toward the infant on the platform. The power delivered to the heater element is directly ascertained by measuring the voltage across the heater element and the current passing through the heater element and by computing directly the actual power applied to the heater element. By knowing the actual power applied to the heater, that heater power can be more precisely controlled to a desired power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Datex-Ohmeda, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew L. Severns
  • Patent number: 6905457
    Abstract: An infant warming apparatus that has a canopy vertically movable with respect to an infant resting on an infant between a lower position wherein the apparatus functions as an incubator and an upper position where the apparatus functions as an infant warmer. A radiant heater is located on the canopy and directs infrared energy in a first path towards the infant platform to warm the infant when the canopy is in the upper position. When the canopy is moved to its lower position to act as an incubator, the infrared energy is redirected along a second path that is directed away from the infant platform so as to prevent residual infrared energy that continues to be emitted even after discontinuing power to the radiant heater from affecting the infant as that radiant heater is moved to a position in close proximity to the infant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Datex-Ohmeda, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael H. Mackin
  • Patent number: 6893390
    Abstract: An infant warming apparatus for supporting an infant upon an infant platform. A radiant heater is located above the infant platform at one end thereof. A canopy covers the infant platform and is movable between a closed position where the infant is enclosed and an open position providing access to the infant and/or the radiant heater can be energized to direct infrared energy toward the infant platform. The canopy is constructed of two sections, one of which is pivotally affixed with respect to the infant platform at or proximate the one end and the other section is movable relative the one section to create an open space so that when the canopy is pivoted to its open position past the radiant heater, the radiant heater is aligned with respect to the open space to allow the radiant energy to reach the infant platform without passing through the canopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Datex-Ohmeda, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael H. Mackin
  • Patent number: 6884211
    Abstract: A medical device is provided for improving the intensive care of high-risk newborns. The device comprises a tempered air closed circuit enclosing a neonatal capsule and comprising a dome composed of two concentric layers defining an intra-dome space therebetween, through which tempered air can circulate, to maintain the temperature in the intermediate artificial environment created between the neonatal capsule and the tempered air closed circuit. A continuous ventilation circuit is provided comprising air and oxygen inlet lines and a mixture outlet line, to administer a continuous and regulated air flow of filtered, oxygenated, tempered and humidified air to the newborn child inside the neonatal capsule. A set of doors may be provided through the neonatal capsule and dome, to provide access inside the neonatal capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Pontifica Universidad Catolica Del Peru
    Inventors: Claudio Bruno CastillĂłn LĂ©vano, Eduardo Ajito Lam
  • Patent number: 6880188
    Abstract: An infant-support apparatus for an incubator or warmer. The apparatus comprises a frame and an infant supporting deck having a central position relative to the frame. The deck is movable relative to the frame to laterally extended positions away from the central position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Draeger Medical Infant Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick A. Schmidt, David C. Newkirk
  • Patent number: 6878177
    Abstract: A controlled atmosphere incubator having an interior chamber adapted to be heated and humidified. An easily accessed blower is located within the gaseous environment of the incubator chamber and includes a HEPA filter and VOC filter readily replaceable by the user from within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Thermo Forma, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lohr, Raquel Wager
  • Patent number: 6837845
    Abstract: A calibration system for use with a radiant heater of an infant apparatus such as an infant warmer or an infant incubator. The system includes an electrical circuit that is used to sense the temperature of the infant by means of a thermistor and to provide a digital signal representative of the temperature. An automatic calibration system avoids the use of potentiometers by inputting two known voltages into the circuit by means of a voltage divider and recording the digital output for each voltage input. The two known voltage inputs and the known digital outputs are used in two equations to solve for the span and offset constants in those equations. Once determined, those constants are used to calibrate the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Datex-Ohmeda, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven M. Falk
  • Publication number: 20040267087
    Abstract: An incubator (11) capable of automatically determining a set humidity by a control part in dependence upon a set temperature, wherein, when the inside temperature is newly set or changed to a specified environmental temperature, the set humidity is automatically determined to a value dependent upon the set temperature even if the inside humidity is not set or changed simultaneously, and the inside of the incubator (11) is controlled to the optimum environmental humidity, whereby an incubated baby in the incubator (11) can be easily and surely nursed in an appropriate physiological environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Hajime Ogata
  • Patent number: 6835172
    Abstract: A calibration system for use with a radiant heater of an infant apparatus such as an infant warmer or an infant incubator. The system includes an electrical circuit that is used to sense the temperature of the infant by means of a thermistor and to provide a digital signal representative of the temperature. An automatic calibration system avoids the use of potentiometers by inputting two known voltages into the circuit by means of a voltage divider and recording the digital output for each voltage input. The two known voltage inputs and the known digital outputs are used in two equations to solve for the span and offset constants in those equations. Once determined, those constants are used to calibrate the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Datex-Ohmeda, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven M. Falk
  • Publication number: 20040242955
    Abstract: A hoodless incubator is provided, which supplies both a good microclimate in the area of the patient surface (1) and guarantees good access to the patient at the same time and continuously. The incubator includes a bed (1) and an air jet unit (6) arranged above the bed (1) and directed toward the bed (1). The air jet unit (6) discharges a jacketed impinging jet, formed of an inner, air-conditioned core jet (4) and a non-air-conditioned jacket jet (5) surrounding the core jet (4). The bed (1) is surrounded by a channel-like edge area (9), which is in flow connection with the air jet unit (6) via a first feed channel (13) with a first fan (11) arranged therein and with a heating and humidifying device (12) likewise arranged therein in order to form the air-conditioned core jet (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Jochim Koch
  • Publication number: 20040236175
    Abstract: A combination (10, 110, 210,310) comprises a patient-support device (12) and one or more carts (14, 114,214, 314) that dock to the patient-support device (12). Some of the disclosed carts (14, 114,214, 314) that dock to the patient-support device (12) have pivotable storage bins (50, 150, 250, 350). Some of the disclosed carts (14, 114,214,314) have equipment-carrying surfaces (54, 154,254,354). Some of the disclosed carts (14, 114,214, 314) have work surfaces or trays (52, 152, 352) that move between storage and use positions. One of the disclosed carts (314) has a storage module (330) that transfers from a frame (316) of the cart (314) to a base (18) of the patient-support device (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Otho N. Boone, Ian McDermott, John H. Richards
  • Publication number: 20040234254
    Abstract: A humidifier module for use with a thermal support apparatus including an air passageway includes a water reservoir and a vapor chamber. A heater is associated with the vapor chamber to generate vapor to humidify air in the air passageway. The humidifier module is movable between a first position coupled to the thermal support apparatus and a second position spaced apart from the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Ted W Czupich, Felix J Gryn
  • Publication number: 20040215052
    Abstract: An incubator for premature and newborn patients is provided with a heater (6), and a fresh air flow (13) fed in with oxygen metering, characterized in that the incubator has an electrically operated oxygen concentrator (12), and an oxygen sensor (5) for measuring the oxygen concentration in the incubator, wherein the oxygen metering device (7) meters the oxygen released by the oxygen concentrator (12) into the fresh air flow (13) fed into the incubator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Gotz Kullik, Jochim Koch, Jorg-Uwe Meyer
  • Publication number: 20040186341
    Abstract: An infant support device (10) is provided and includes a support platform (26), an infant enclosure (34) coupled to the support platform (26) and defining an infant compartment for receiving an infant (78), and a line-management apparatus configured to separate and arrange medical lines (54) routed between the outside of the infant compartment and the inside of the infant compartment. One embodiment of the line-management apparatus includes a panel (46) extending upwardly relative to the support platform (26), a plurality of vertically spaced line supports (58) coupled to the panel (46) and configured to support the medical lines (54) resting thereon, and a plurality of line holders (60) coupled to the panel (46) and configured to inhibit movement of the medical lines (54) off of the line supports (58).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventor: Ian McDermott
  • Patent number: 6761683
    Abstract: An infant support for an incubator or an infant warmer or a combination thereof is disclosed. The support comprises a frame, a mattress tray disposed above the tray, an x-ray tray and one or more weight cells having an actuator supporting the mattress tray above the frame. The x-ray tray is received in a space below the top surface of the mattress tray. The support is configured to be received on a tilt mechanism of the incubator or an infant warmer or a combination thereof to provide an inclination to the mattress tray. The support is configured to permit x-rays to be taken of an infant supported above the mattress tray and to provide an indication of the weight of the infant supported on the mattress tray regardless of its inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Felix J. Gryn, Leo Henry Greway
  • Patent number: 6761682
    Abstract: An infant care apparatus includes a base, a patient-support portion carried by the base, a canopy situated above the patient-support portion, and a mechanism for vertically raising and lowering the canopy relative to the patient-support portion. A convective heating system is operable to provide heated air into a space defined between the patient-support portion and the canopy. A radiant heater is coupled to the canopy and is operable to direct radiant heat toward the patient-support portion. A control system controls the operation of the convective heating system and the radiant heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Goldberg, David C. Newkirk, William Olson, Michael M. Donnelly, Robert G. Moll, Alan Gutwillig
  • Publication number: 20040133064
    Abstract: A medical device is provided for improving the intensive care of high-risk newborns. The device comprises a tempered air closed circuit enclosing a neonatal capsule and comprising a dome composed of two concentric layers defining an intra-dome space therebetween, through which tempered air can circulate, to maintain the temperature in the intermediate artificial environment created between the neonatal capsule and the tempered air closed circuit. A continuous ventilation circuit is provided comprising air and oxygen inlet lines and a mixture outlet line, to administer a continuous and regulated air flow of filtered, oxygenated, tempered and humidified air to the newborn child inside the neonatal capsule. A set of doors may be provided through the neonatal capsule and dome, to provide access inside the neonatal capsule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Claudio Bruno Castillon Levano, Eduardo Ajito Lam
  • Publication number: 20040116771
    Abstract: An infant support for use with an incubator or a warmer or a combination thereof comprises a support surface having a head end and a foot end and a driver engageable with the head and foot ends. The driver comprises a first elevator and a second elevator. The first elevator is engageable with the head end and the second elevator is engageable with the foot end. The driver is movable to cause the head and foot ends to move between raised and lowered positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph A. Costanzo
  • Patent number: 6746394
    Abstract: An infant thermal support device which provides convective heat transfer similar to an incubator yet which allows for unlimited care provider access to the infant without compromising the infant's thermal environment. The device has an infant support with head and foot ends and lateral sides, and provides a heated curtain of air traveling over an infant on the support to maintain the temperature of the infant at an appropriate level. Vertically oriented curtains of air travel upwardly from the lateral edges and at least one end of the support. The device provides warmth to the infant on the support by virtue of the heated air curtain, and the vertically oriented air curtains reduced perturbations of the heated air curtain caused by physical disturbances adjacent to the device such that a canopy enclosing the device is not required. The device further comprises a raisable and lowerable canopy and infrared heater, such that the device can function as either an infant radiant warmer, an incubator or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Donnelly, Francis Joseph Buchholz, III, Brent C. Jacobsen
  • Publication number: 20040106844
    Abstract: The inventive incubator for newborn and prematurely born patients, which can be introduced into the magnetic field of an NMR tomograph, is characterized in that the devices for the supply and circulation of fresh air, for heating and humidifying the air, for controlling the temperature thereof and for examining the patient are electrically driven and integrated into the incubator. The circulation of air in the room provided for the patient has one component extending in the longitudinal direction of the incubator and one or two components extending in a roller-type manner about the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventor: Torsten Lonneker-Lammers
  • Patent number: 6733437
    Abstract: A patient care apparatus and method where the apparatus has an audible sound producing device that sounds an audible alarm when a particular alarm condition is sensed with respect to a patient or the apparatus itself. The apparatus includes a non-hand contact alarm silence switch that can be activated to silence the audible alarm. That non-hand contact alarm silence switch can be activated by various means that do not involve an object or person actually contacting the switch by any portion of the care provider that would be expected to remain in sterile conditions. Various technologies can be used for the non-hand contact alarm silence switch including proximity sensing, optical sensing, temperature sensing, air pressure sensing or voice command, any one of which can activate the switch without the need to make physical contact of the alarm silence switch by a person or object. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a foot-operated alarm silence switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Datex Ohmada, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael H. Mackin, Christopher A. Dykes
  • Publication number: 20040082829
    Abstract: An infant warming apparatus that has a canopy vertically movable with respect to an infant resting on an infant between a lower position wherein the apparatus functions as an incubator and an upper position where the apparatus functions as an infant warmer. A radiant heater is located on the canopy and directs infrared energy in a first path towards the infant platform to warm the infant when the canopy is in the upper position. When the canopy is moved to its lower position to act as an incubator, the infrared energy is redirected along a second path that is directed away from the infant platform so as to prevent residual infrared energy that continues to be emitted even after discontinuing power to the radiant heater from affecting the infant as that radiant heater is moved to a position in close proximity to the infant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Michael H. Mackin
  • Publication number: 20040064013
    Abstract: An incubator including a substantially airtight heated chamber equipped with a door to access the heated chamber; a culture plate with multiple wells placed in the heated chamber, the culture plate being adapted to contain an organism in at least one of the wells; and means associated with the heated chamber and controlled from the exterior to remove the organism from a well in which it is contained to put it in another well filled with new culture medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Daniel Attias
  • Patent number: 6711937
    Abstract: A sensor module for an incubator or other patient support includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the air within the interior of the hood of support, a humidity sensor for determining the relative humidity of air drawn from the hood, a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the air sensed by humidity sensor, and a correlator for adjusting the sensed relative humidity to provide an indication of the relative humidity within the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Richards, Ronald S. Kolarovic
  • Patent number: 6709384
    Abstract: An infant thermal support device which provides convective heat transfer similar to an incubator yet which allows for unlimited care provider access to the infant without compromising the infant's thermal environment. The device has an infant support with head and foot ends and lateral sides, and provides a heated curtain of air traveling over an infant on the support to maintain the temperature of the infant at an appropriate level. Vertically oriented curtains of air travel upwardly from the lateral edges and at least one end of the support. The device provides warmth to the infant on the support by virtue of the heated air curtain, and the vertically oriented air curtains reduced perturbations of the heated air curtain caused by physical disturbances adjacent to the device such that a canopy enclosing the device is not required. The device further comprises a raisable and lowerable canopy and infrared heater, such that the device can function as either an infant radiant warmer, an incubator or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Donnelly, Francis Joseph Buchholz, III, Brent C. Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 6699173
    Abstract: An infant care apparatus having a canopy movable vertically with respect to an infant platform. The canopy has a lower edge mating with upper peripheral edges of a plurality of vertical walls forming an infant compartment. At least one of the vertical walls is a door pivotally affixed to the infant platform and rotates between open and closed positions. A seal is located on the lower edge of the canopy to seal against the upper peripheral edge of the vertical walls. An elongated flange of the seal is affixed to the canopy by hardware and a cover flap extends downwardly from the upper edge of the flange to cover the hardware. A sealing flap extends downwardly and inwardly toward the infant compartment from the lower edge of the flange. A flexible material is co-extruded with the seal for the sealing flap and a hinge between the flange and the cover flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Datex Ohmeda, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Boris