US2600240A - Construction of incubators for infants - Google Patents

Description

June 10,1952 B. c. GRIEB 2,600,240

CONSTRUCTION OF INCUBATORS FOR INFANTS Filed May 22, 1948 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 ATTORNEY.

Patented June 10, 1952 UNITED STATS rear oral-cs CONSTRUCTION OF INCUBATORS FOR INFAN Application May 22, 1948, Serial No. 28,603

12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to incubator apparatus suitable for use for infants such as those which are prematurely born or those requiring special care and isolation. The invention is particularly concerned with improvements in the construction of such apparatus which increases the efiectiveness of the protection provided by such devices.

Apparatus of this nature which incorporates all of the equipment and controls desirable for providing effective isolation, adequate temperature and humidity control, proper handling equipment and the like, has heretofore been extremely complicated, expensive to manufacture and awkward to handle. Consequently such equipment has usually provided only the more urgent safeguards.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an incubator construction which is capable of being used in a number of different ways and which permits even the most rigorous isolation.

In order to provide an incubator construction which is compact and easily handled while at the same time includes all the equipment needed to give complete control of the air supplied and means to allow full isolation, the present invention provides for an incubator assembly having two main components. In one of these components the mechanical and electrical equipment for circulating and conditioning the air or gas for the incubator is located. The other compo-- nent is the occupants chamber which is chiefly structural in nature. By separating the apparatus from the isolation space the manufacture and assembly are greatly simplified.

In the present invention it is an object to provide a relatively shallow base unit arranged to contain the various operating and control mechanisms in a compact and orderly arrangement which allows step-by-step assembly and installation operations. Such construction also obviously simplifies service and repair work.

' An important object of the invention is to provide complete indicating and warningapparatus for indicating proper functioning of the circu= lating system and operation'of the heating de-' closure. Medicaments or the like may also be added to the air supply in a manner similar to the addition of oxygen.

Apparatus of this nature may be used under many different circumstances. For example, an isolation unit of the present type may be located in a hospital room so that a new infant may be kept with its mother while being protected from any undesirable contact. The more usual method of using is for a number of incubator units tobe kept together in a nursery under the care of an attendant. In some instances it may be desirable to supply an incubator for each infant with the object of preventing epidemics. 'Under various conditions of use it is desirable that the occupant of the incubator be readily observed from any angle. For this purpose the present invention provides an unusually clear View of themterior of the occupants space because of the manufacture of the upper portion of the unit from transparent material.

Usually the patient is left in the incubator for extended periods when isolation is desired. Since complete care may be administered while the infant remains inside the enclosure there is no need for removing and thus causing exposure to airborne infection or change in environment. The present construction which permits insertion from the bottom of the enclosure has certain advantages in addition to simplified structurel In previous constructions having a lid at the'top, opening of the lid for insertion of a patient permitted the loss of a considerable amount of heated air from the incubator. With the present construction the heated and conditioned 'air is entrapped in the enclosure during opening so that little time is required to return the inside air to the desired condition after insertion of a patient.

A. further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus which allows improved control over the humidity both during the circulation of air while the heater is in use or when no heat is being applied. 7 s

It is realized that the present apparatus in== eludes general features disclosed in prior patcuts, for example, Patent 2,243,999, issued June 3, 1941, to Charles C. Chapple. The detail features herein disclosed are directed'toward improvements which are intended to simplify construction, reduce cost, increase safety and provide an incubator of increased versatility and usefulness 'lihe manner in which the foregoing and other ob ects and advantages associated with the present invention are accomplished will be clearfrom 3 the following description of the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an incubator incorporating the present invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 with the enclosure in open position.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the base unit of the present apparatus having the lid removed to show the interior arrangement.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 3, the front face of the box being removed for purposes of disclosing the interior arrangement.

Figure 5 is a sectional View tion of arrows 5-5 of Fig. 3. 7

Figure 6 is a sectional view through the access door.

Figure '7 is a sectional view through one of'tlie portholes showing the manner of attachment of the sleeves.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 it will be seen that the incubator unit consists primarily of the transparent box or dome Ill and the lower base unit I I'. The enclosure dome I is hinged along one edge by a piano type hinge I2 to permit opening in the fashion clearly illustrated in Fig. '2. Opening in this manner allows access directly iatlth'e mattress level and simplifies the operation of placing an infant in or removing it from the incubator. Links I3 are pivotally connected to the dome I0 and the base II the fashion illustrated to provide for retention of the cover unit in the open position.

H In order to separate the base chamber fro'm the occupants space a lid plate I4 which is most clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and '4 is provided.

The lid I4 is supported on angle members I around the upper edge of the base box II. The lid I4 forms the floor of the o'ccup'ants space. A low sheet metal wall I6 is attached to'the fioor I4 in a fashion to provide for proper positioning of a suitable mattress IT. A separate plate 'or tray I8 is located to fit underneath the mattress II. Plate I8 incorporates a turned-clown flange I9 which may be used to retain'the tray I8 in a "slightly inclined position when thelip I 9 is placed over the edge of the wall I6 as illustrated in Fig. 4. This arrangement permits either a flat or inclined position for the mattress I'l, thus point to use the inclined position'for'either raisor lowering the head of the infant in relation to its body. The angle "20 attached to the *lid I4 positions the tray I8 and the mattress I1 in endwise direction.

The hinge I2 which connects the "enclosure II! to the base unit I I, being of the piano type is "readily disconnected by removal of the hinge wire which is preferably made in two pieces for ease in removal of the enclosure II! from the base 'I I. A tight joint to prevent the escape of air gardens the bottom of the enclosure is'assured by thesoft gasket I511 on which the enclosure rests.

Rapid separation of the enclosure'from the base is-of considerable advantage both during manufacture of the incubator and during servicing or cleaning of the various parts.

While the apparatus of the present invention may provide for the complete conditioning of "the air or gas supply to the occupant it will be seen that all of the apparatus and 'controlsre- -quired for this purpose are completely housed in arrest. the airee- 7 4 V the base unit II. Reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 5 will disclose the details of the conditioning and circulating apparatus. The electrical equipment is contained chiefly in the chamber 2I. Chamber 2I is entirely separated from the interior of the base box II by means of the walls of the box 2I and its lid which is securely fastened on by screws 22, there being incorporated a suitable scaling gasket. The lid is thus readily removable for purposesof inspection and repair. Enclosed within the box 2I are the fan motor 23, the transformer 24 and such other electrical equipment as the operating relays, alarm buzzer, etc. The electrical lead wire 25 is used to supply the current for operating the incubator. Oil cup 26 supplies the lubrication for the motor. Provision is made for the circulation of air from outside the unit through the back wall and bottom of the base II to the electrical box 2| in order to give adequate ventilation for the electrical compartment. as by louvers 2 l a. e I

, Blower fan 21 is driven by the motor 23 and provides for the circulation of air or gas inthe incubator. A tube 28 leads to thecenter-of the blower unit 27 and provides the intake for the blower. Thus, the recirculated air from the unit is sucked in through tube 28 into theblower-and forced through the unit, New air is; supplied by means of a connecting fitting 29 to which a hose 30 may be attached leading to a'source of fresh air preferably from outside the building. A second fitting BI incorporating a pet-cock valve is attached to fitting 29 and provides a means whereby oxygen. or other gas'or medicament may ed inside the intake tube 28 so that all of the circulated air may be heated prior to circulation by the blower .fan 21. The heater is provided with automatic controls which will be described later.

The blowerfan 2'! forces the air through outlet tube 36 through a valve unit 37. The control handle 38 projects outside the. front of the base unit. Valve 37 lsarranged to'permit the air from the blower 21 to be directed either through the tube 39 or'through the humidifier chamber M3. The valve 37, while it need notbe considered here in detail, is so constructed that any proportion of the air being circulated may be directed through the humidifier chamber '40. Thus, accurate control of the humidification may be maintained since all of the air may be directed through thehumidifying chamber or only that portion of theair required. for adding a small amount of moisture when such. a conditionis desired. The humidifier chamber 40 has an external connection II which provides for filling the humidifier chamber fromoutside the base unit. Filler '4I also includes a sightgauge so that the amount of water in the humidifier is visible at all times. The humidifier chamber preferably incorporates a special sponge unit over which the airstream'may be passed, thus providing for a large 'evaporation'surface to give effective humidiflcation without the need'for' application of heat to the humidifier unit. This sponge arrangement also assures equivalent capacity for humidifying action even when the water level is low. After passing through the humidifier unit 40 or the by-pass tube 39 the air passes out through delivery box 42 which is located in one corner of the base unit ll directly underneath the openings 43 in the floor plate l4. Openings 43 are clearly indicated in Fig. 1. A circular hole or opening 39a in the upper surface of by-pass 39 permits the air passing through the by-pass to enter the delivery box or duct 42.

The circulated gas isthus forced into the occupants space by the blower through the grille openings 43 and removed from the occupants space through the grille 44 at the opposite end of the incubator. The return air is drawn into the base unit where it is recirculated by means of the intake 28 to the blower. In order to provide for evacuation of a quantity of gas equal to the volume of fresh air added to the circulated air through the intake 29, a small opening 45 is provided in the enclosure unit I0. In the present arrangement this opening 45 is located in the access door 46.

The details of the access door are more clearly illustrated in Fig. 6 where it will be seen that the door 46 is provided with a hinge 46a. and a latch 46b, thus ermitting opening the access door for insertion and removal of various articles. Access door 46 is located near the bottom end of the mattress and is sufficiently large that articles to be used for feeding and caring for the occupant may be easily inserted and placed upon the floor l4 in the space provided between angle and the enclosure. From this position the attendant may reach the articles through the portholes 41 in which the sleeves 48 are mounted.

The portholes and sleeves are illustrated more clearly in Fig. '7, where it will be observed that the long, flexible sleeves 48 are provided with an elastic ring 49 which causes each sleeve 48 to fit snugly around the attendants wrist thereby preventing the air from the room from entering the occupants space. In this fashion only the sterilized hands of the attendant come in contact with the air inside the enclosure. The use of flexible protective sleeves of this general nature is not in itself new. However, it will be noted that the portholes 41 are provided with an out.- wardly projecting rim in which a groove 53 is provided. An elastic ring 5| holds the end of the sleeve 46 in position in the groove 50, thus providing for quick but positive attachment or detachment of the sleeve 48. Sleeves 48 are preferably made from a transparent, lightweight, flexible, plastic material. This sleeve construction and method of attachment permit replacement to be easily made in case of damage. Also fresh sleeves may be provided at the time the incubator unit is cleaned or sterilized after each occupants use in preparation for the next patient. It will be noted thatsleeve 48 when not being used by the attendant may be easily folded as indicated at 48a to act as a seal to close opening 41. In some cases it may be desirable to add another pair of openings 41 with sleeves in the opposite wall of enclosure I0 as indicated in dotted outline. The present incubator construction lends itself readily to the adding of such. A

6. described apositive air pressure is produced at all times in the occupants space due to the fact that the pressure side of the blower is connectedby means of closed channels directly to the openings 43 to the occupants chamber. This is of considerable advantage since any leakag from the enclosure is from the inside to the outside thus preventing room air which may be contaminated from entering the occupants space. This arrangement also permits opening the access door 46 Without danger of room air entering occupants space since the flow during this brief period of opening will be from the inside of the dome unit it to the outside. In order to provide an indication that a positive pressur is being maintained at all times an indicator device is mounted at the opening 45 in the access door. Here a small. flexible diaphragm 52 is supported with one end covering the hole 53 in door 45 and the other end being retained by the rim of the opening 45. Passage of air outwardly through opening 53 causes a continual vibration or flutter of the diaphragm 52 which is readily noticeable by an observer. Should the pressure-inside the dome be lower than the room air the diaphragm 52 .moves to close the opening 53 and is stationary.

Diaphragm 52 is preferably made of a flexible, bright-colored, plastic sheet arranged to b easily visible. This diaphragm thus forms a simple, reliable means of indicating that a supply of fresh air is being added to the circulationsystem. There is one operation which may produce a momentary suction action within th enclosure. This occurs during withdrawal of the sleeves if an attendant removes his hands rapidly. The resultant reduction in pressure causes the flutter valve 52 to be drawn against opening 53, thus closing it to prevent room air from being drawn in. As a result the suction causes a temporary increase in the amount of fresh air drawn into the system.

When room temperature conditions are such that cooling of the air in the occupants space is desirabl this is accomplished by the use of an ice chamber. The ice chamber 54 consists of a metal box mounted inside the base box II and preferably raised above the floor of the base box in order to permit the circulation of air over all surfaces of the ice unit, thus providing a maximum of radiation surface. The ice chamber 54 is provided with a lid 55 which may be attached in a fashion to completely seal the ice chamber from air leakage. It will be noted that below the return air opening 44 a small channel or duct 56 (see Fig. 4) is provided to conduct the air downwardly to below the upper surface of the ice chamber. In this way the return air is delivered from the occupants space to the base unit chamber at a point where it will circulate in all directions over the ice box including the top and the bottom, in finding its way back to the blower intake 28. Effective cooling is thus provided.

The ice chamber may be loaded with ice cubes through the ice chute 51 which is located at the front of the base unit I I. Ice chute 5'! is provided with a hinged lid 53. A drain pet-cock 59 permits draining oif the water formed during th melting I of the ice. The capacity of the ice chamber is suflicient to provide several hours cooling with one loading for room temperature of to degrees F. I

In the return air duct 56 there is located a thermostat unit 60 which controls the operation of the air heater 35. Thermostat 60 may be adjusted to control the temperatureiof the circuan outlet opening to permit air to pass there-- through, and an airflow indicator supported near said outlet opening.

4. Incubator apparatus suitable for infants having an enclosed base unit containing gas circulating, heating and humidifying equipment, a compartment inside said base unit and sealed therefrom, said compartment containing an electric motor and other electrical apparatus and having removable means to provide access to said compartment.

5. Incubator apparatus suitable for infants having an enclosed base unit containing equipment for circulating, heating and humidifying gas including a blower-fan, a humidifier unit through which gas from the blower-fan may be passed before reaching the occupants space, by-pass means and valve means whereby any proportion of gas flowing from said blower-fan may be passed through said humidifier unit.

6. Incubator apparatus suitable for infants having a unit for housing circulating and conditioning equipment, said unit incorporating a blower device for circulating the gas, an enclosed duct running from the pressure side of said device to an opening into the occupants chamber, a return air opening between the occupants chamber and the base unit arranged to permit the return air to flow through at least a portion of said base unit to said blower device, intake opening structure for said blower device including an inlet from said base unit, and an inlet from outside said base unit whereby fresh outside air may be supplied to the air circulated by said blower device, an enclosed heating unit located in said intake structure in a position to heat both the recirculated air and the fresh air drawn from outside.

7. An incubator construction for infants having an occupants chamber, bed means including a low wall structure to locate a mattress, a mattress tray having a flanged end and being adapted to lie inside said retaining wall or to be supported with said flanged end on said retaining wall to provide for either a flat or an inclined position of the mattress.

8. Incubator apparatus for infants including a separate unit containing circulating and heating equipment, an enclosed occupants chamber, a surface structure between said unit and said chamber having an inlet opening between said unit and said chamber for directing air into said chamber, an outlet opening for withdrawing air from said chamber, an electrical heating device associated with said circulating equipment, a thermostat for controlling said device located at the outlet opening in the path of the circulated air stream.

9. An incubator unit for infants having an occupants chamber, said chamber having an Opening to allow insertion of an attendants arm, an external flange around said opening having an annular groove therein, a sleeve of thin flexible material having one end arranged to fit over said flange, a resilient ring adapted to fit in said annular groove and retain the end of said sleeve in intimate engagement therewith.

10. Infant incubator apparatus having an isolation compartment and a machinery compartment in communication therewith, a blower in the machinery compartment to circulate a current of air through both compartments in series, a power unit for said blower, and a housing for said power unit constructed to isolate the atmosphere about said power unit from the current of air passing through said compartments.

11. Infant incubator apparatus comprising a base unit enclosing air conditioning and circulating apparatus, a removable occupants enclosure unit fitted on said base unit, yieldable material sealing the juncture between said units, a fresh air intake to said base unit and filter means in said intake; a stale air exhaust from said enclosure unit, having a uniflow valve to prevent ingress of air.

12. Infant incubator apparatus havin an enclosed occupants compartment and a separate base unit containing equipment for the circulation, humidification and heating of gas, including a blower fan, a humidifier unit through which gas from the blower fan may be passed immediately before reaching the occupants space, a bypass duct and a control valve to permit the proportioning of the amount of gas flowing through said humidifier unit and a heater device inserted in the system at a point to warm the gas before it reaches the humidifier unit.

B. CURTIS GRIEB.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,185,711 Reyniers Jan. 2, 1940 2,219,185 Hirleman Oct. 22, 1940 2,243,999 Chapple June 3, 1941 2,246,820 Taylor June 24, 1941 2,347,326 Kirschbaum Apr. 25, 1944 2,353,536 Abbott et al. July 11, 1944 2,366,630 Kreiselman Jan. 2, 1945

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