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MUCLecture 2022 51054857

The document discusses the infant incubator, a biomedical device designed to provide warmth, humidity, and oxygen in a controlled environment for newborns. It outlines the history of incubators, their physical principles of operation, important parameters like temperature and humidity, and the risks associated with neonatal hyperthermia. Additionally, it describes the applications of incubators in various medical settings, including NICUs and transport scenarios.

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19 views7 pages

MUCLecture 2022 51054857

The document discusses the infant incubator, a biomedical device designed to provide warmth, humidity, and oxygen in a controlled environment for newborns. It outlines the history of incubators, their physical principles of operation, important parameters like temperature and humidity, and the risks associated with neonatal hyperthermia. Additionally, it describes the applications of incubators in various medical settings, including NICUs and transport scenarios.

Uploaded by

bahraindinarall
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Physics of Medical Devices

Seventh lecture

Infant Incubator

Msc. Eman Ahmed

Third Stage
Department of medical physics
Al-Mustaqbal University-College
2021- 2022

1
Infant Incubator
Infant incubator is a Bio Medical Device which provides Warmth,
Humidity and Oxygen all in a controlled environment as required by the
New born.

History
In 1891 - First modern Incubator invented by Dr.Alexander Lyon.

1898 - First American Incubator Hospital was set up at the Trans


Mississippi Exposition in Omaha , Nebraska.

1907 - Pierre Constant Budin released the study of Influence of Body


temperature on Infant Mortality.

In 1932 - Julius Hess in his patents for incubators proposed a mechanism


for the addition of supplemental oxygen in the Incubator.

2
Physical principles of work
The infant incubator is normally in the form of a trolley with a small
mattress on the top covered by a rigid clear plastic cover.

Incubator chamber provides a clean environment, and helps to protect the


baby from noise, dust, infection, and excess handling.

A temperature sensor is taped to the baby's skin, and the incubator heater
adjusts to maintain the baby at a constant temperature or, the temperature
is controlled by a thermostat in the heated air stream.

Underneath the baby is an air-blown electric heating system and


humidification system which circulates heated humid air at a desired
temperature and humidity through the incubator chamber.

Additional oxygen may also be introduced into the chamber.

3
Important Parameters
 Temperature
 Humidity

proportional temperature controller

Body Temperature
 Normal core body temperature can range between 98.9 F and 99.9
F.
 Cells, tissues and organs operate efficiently only within this narrow
temperature limits .
 If the temperature rises 2°F above the normal of 98.6°F, we become
ill. If it rises 7°F, we become critically ill.
 If our temperature decreases 2°F, we feel cold. A 7°F decrease puts
our life in jeopardy

Body Temperatures
Hypothermia Low body temperature is called Hypothermia
Hyperthermia High body temperature is called Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia in Neonates can lead to


 Increased oxygen requirements
 Apnea
 Dehydration
 Metabolic acidosis

4
 Heat stroke, brain damage, shock and even death.

Thermoregulation
Thermo regulation is the ability of the body to balance the heat produced
in the body with the heat lost by the body thereby maintaining the body
temperature in the normal range.

 The temperature of the body is regulated by hypothalamus


 Sweating begins almost precisely at a skin temperature of 37°C
 If the skin temperature drops below 37°C, a variety of responses are
initiated to conserve the heat in the body and to increase heat
production

Heat Production
Due to metabolic activities

Heat Loss
 Evaporation
 Conduction
 Convection
 Radiation

5
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Neonatal Risk

Application

 NICU
 SCN
 Post natal care wards
 Transport Incubators can be found in Labour ward to transport the
new born to Post natal wards or NICU.
 Hospitals that don’t have a dedicated NICU will have a transport
incubator so that critical new born can be shifted via ambulance or
helicopters to the nearest hospital having an NICU facility.

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