Abstract: A system and method for controlling the initial start up of a radiant heater used in an infant care apparatus. The system and method provides power to the radiant heater in excess of the 100% rated power of the heater for an initial period of time to cause a more rapid heating of the heater. The system utilizes an initial set power for the heater to determine the period of time that the heater is provided the excess power and discontinues that excess power after the determined period of time so tha the control of the heater is returned to a normal heating algorithm to thereafter provide the control of power to the heater. By use of the excess power upon initial start-up of the radiant heater, the heater more rapidly provides heat to an infant being cared for in the infant care apparatus.

Abstract: An infant care apparatus that has a canopy that can be moved vertically with respect to an infant platform on which the infant is positioned. The canopy contains a radiant heater that can be moved from a lower position enclosing the infant in an infant compartment to an upper position where the infant compartment is open and the radiant heater provides radiant energy to warm the infant. When the canopy is in its lower position there is a convective heating system that provides a forced flow of heated air to the infant compartment to heat the infant. The convective heating system includes a heater, a fan and various ducting and passageways in the infant platform that conduct the heated air to the infant compartment and receive air from that compartment for re-circulation.

Abstract: An infant warming apparatus that functions both as an infant incubator as well as an infant warmer. The apparatus has a heater that moves vertically with respect to an infant support during the change in function between an infant incubator and infant warmer. A powered motive system, such as an electric motor, powers the movement of the heater between its upper and its lower positions. The heater also has a door or doors that are open when the heater is in it upper position so that the heater can direct energy toward the infant to warm the infant when acting as an infant warmer. When closed, the doors isolate the heater to prevent the inadvertent touching of the heater by the infant or attending personnel. A safety interlock system is provided that prevents the heater from being activated unless it is in its upper position and the door or doors are fully open.

Abstract: A heat flux sensor is used in conjunction with a patient sensor, such as a patient temperature sensor, and which is secured to the patient in close proximity to the patient sensor. The heat flux sensor monitors the heat flux between the patient and the environment. Upon dislodgement of the patient probe, the heat flux sensor senses a change in heat flux that is of a predetermined amount and provides a signal indicating that the patient probe has become partially or fully dislodged from the patient. In the case of a patient heat sensor, the use of a heat flux sensor provides a quicker and larger signal than would be seen by merely monitoring the change in temperature due to partial or full probe dislodgement.

Abstract: An infant care center or infant care warmer having as it source of heat, an infrared emitter that is located above the infant bed and which is relatively small in dimensions so as to not impede the access to the infant by attending personnel at any time, including when X-rays are being taken to the infant. The emitter is contained in a sealed emitter assembly and includes a lens that focuses and directs the infrared radiation to a desired footprint on the infant bed. In a specific embodiment, the infrared emitter is shaped generally in the form of a parabola and a honeycomb material comprising a plurality of hexagonal openings receives the infrared radiation from the parabolic shaped emitter and redirects the radiation into a desired pattern toward the infant bed.

Abstract: A small battery-operated oximeter noninvasively measures tissue oxygenation. This oximeter employs a high intensity, very short duration light pulse that penetrates clothing of a patient. A photodetector assembly of the oximeter is responsive to light reflected through clothing of the patient. The oximeter optically filters the reflected light. A ratio of the intensity of reflected red light to the intensity of reflected infrared light indicates tissue oxygenation of the patient.

Abstract: A noise-immune blood pressure measurement system filters out high frequency noise and blood pulses. The system also recognizes and filters out slow, large noise signals in the range of 0.5 Hz. Such noise signals result when a patient wearing the system makes slow, large finger movements, or is slowly transported by a vehicle over a large bump, for instance. The system accurately derives systolic, mean arterial, and diastolic pressures even when used in a noisy emergency vehicle or battlefield situation.