EP1044668B1 - Gerät zur klimatischen Kontrolle einer Umgebung zur Unterbringung eines neugeborenen Kindes - Google Patents

Gerät zur klimatischen Kontrolle einer Umgebung zur Unterbringung eines neugeborenen Kindes Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1044668B1
EP1044668B1 EP99830214A EP99830214A EP1044668B1 EP 1044668 B1 EP1044668 B1 EP 1044668B1 EP 99830214 A EP99830214 A EP 99830214A EP 99830214 A EP99830214 A EP 99830214A EP 1044668 B1 EP1044668 B1 EP 1044668B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
shell
actuator
space
mechanical vibrations
signal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP99830214A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP1044668A1 (de
Inventor
Germano Dealessandri
Marco Fringuellino
Sandro Gervasio
Mauro Vivalda
Giovanni Brero
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to EP99830214A priority Critical patent/EP1044668B1/de
Priority to DE69901875T priority patent/DE69901875D1/de
Priority to AT99830214T priority patent/ATE219349T1/de
Publication of EP1044668A1 publication Critical patent/EP1044668A1/de
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Publication of EP1044668B1 publication Critical patent/EP1044668B1/de
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G11/00—Baby-incubators; Couveuses
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G11/00—Baby-incubators; Couveuses
    • A61G11/009—Baby-incubators; Couveuses with hand insertion windows, e.g. in the walls

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for climatic control in an environment designed to house a newborn child, comprising at least one wall which, associated with a base structure, delimits a space in which, in operation, controlled environmental conditions are maintained.
  • the invention relates to an apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1, which is known from DE-A-19702672.
  • This document discloses a device in which electromechanical vibration transducers are embedded in a pad, and a mat on which a newborn baby is placed is stacked on the pad.
  • a graphic equalizer is arranged to correct the frequency characteristics of a sound signal generated by a sound signal generator to characteristics close to the original frequency characteristics even if sounds are reflected to interfere with each other in an incubator. Comfortable vibrations can be applied to the newborn baby.
  • sounds having frequency characteristics close to the original frequency characteristics can be played for the newborn baby.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a sound reproduction device for incubators or for neonatal isolation units which is not affected by the aforesaid problems.
  • the idea on which the present invention is based consists in the production of an acoustic field by means of suitable mechanical vibrations of a wall produced by an electrically operated actuator driven by an electronic control system.
  • the actuator which generates the vibrations of the wall is preferably of the piezoelectric type.
  • the system according to the present invention can be used to achieve a considerable improvement in the acoustic comfort within an incubator or a neonatal isolation unit by creating a diffused acoustic field which reproduces sounds which are pleasant or familiar to the newborn child.
  • the sound reproduction device according to the present invention can be added to existing incubators without the need for substantial structural modifications and does not affect the conditions of sterility, thermal equilibrium or electrical and electromagnetic compatibility of the apparatus.
  • the number 10 indicates an incubator comprising, in a known way, a base structure 12 and a transparent shell 14, generally consisting of plastic material such as polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, or other transparent plastic material.
  • the shell 14 delimits, together with the base 12, an isolated space in which known devices in use maintain controlled temperature and humidity conditions.
  • the incubator 10 is provided with a sound reproduction device comprising at least one electrically operated actuator 16 capable of producing mechanical vibrations of the shell 14 which generate an acoustic field in the space circumscribed by the shell 14.
  • a sound reproduction device comprising at least one electrically operated actuator 16 capable of producing mechanical vibrations of the shell 14 which generate an acoustic field in the space circumscribed by the shell 14.
  • the actuator 16 is rigidly connected to the shell 14. Preferably, it is applied to the outer surface of the shell by gluing, for example, or by any other mechanical fixing system.
  • the application of the actuator 16 to the outside of the shell 14 enables the conditions of sterility of the incubator to be kept the same as those of a similar incubator without the sound reproduction device.
  • the actuator 16 could also be positioned in a different way, provided that it is capable of transmitting mechanical vibrations to the shell 14.
  • the actuator 16 could be incorporated in the plastic material forming one of the walls of the shell 14.
  • the major advantage of the solution according to the invention is that the sound is generated directly by the shell 14. Consequently, a particularly uniform diffused sound field is produced inside the shell.
  • the actuator 16 is simply an electromechanical transducer capable of converting an electrical drive signal into mechanical vibrations.
  • the electrical drive signal of the actuator 16 is provided by an electronic drive unit comprising a sound reproduction device 18 consisting, for example, of a CD or magnetic tape player, and an amplifier and equalizer unit 20.
  • the actuator 16 which produces the vibrations of the shell 14 preferably consists of a piezoelectric transducer whose general structure is shown schematically in Figure 2.
  • the actuator 16 comprises a body of piezoelectric ceramic 22 in the form of a plate, on the two opposite faces of which are deposited two metallic layers 24 (only one of which is visible in the figure) connected to corresponding electrical conductors 26.
  • the piezoelectric actuator 16 converts the electrical signal from the conductors 26 into deformations directed along the axis 28 and into shear deformations directed orthogonally to the axis.
  • the actuator 16 is rigidly connected to the shell 14 and is arranged in such a way that the axis 28 runs orthogonally with respect to the surface of the shell to which the actuator is applied.
  • the axial deformations of the actuator 16 therefore produce mechanical vibrations of the shell 14 with the same frequency, which generate sound waves with the same frequency as the electrical signal sent to the actuator 16.
  • the actuator 16 could be applied to one of the lateral walls of the structure, which generally consist of polycarbonate or material similar to that of the shell of an incubator.
  • the sound reproduction device according to the present invention has been developed in order to provide better acoustic comfort within the incubator. It can be used to transmit music, speech or, in general, sounds which are familiar or pleasant to the newborn child.
  • the device according to the present invention has been developed with the aim of reproducing endogenous intrauterine sounds within the incubator, according to the process described in detail in Italian patent application No. T096A000825 filed by G. Brero, G. Dealessandri, M. Vivalda and S. Gervasio.
  • Figure 3 shows the spectral distribution of endogenous intrauterine sounds, in other words the sounds which are heard by the foetus during pregnancy. These sounds have a particular spectral distribution.
  • the frequency band of intrauterine sounds lies between the threshold of audibility and 400 Hz.
  • the spectrum has an upper cutoff frequency at about 63 Hz, beyond which the sounds are progressively attenuated by the tissues and by the amniotic fluid, this process being characterized by a decay of approximately 5 dB for every third of an octave.
  • the maternal heartbeat corresponds to the very low frequencies, in other words those in the band from 40 to 80 Hz.
  • the amplifier-equalizer unit 20 which drives the actuator 16 to modify the input signal received from the acoustic reproducer 18 (CD or magnetic tape player) in such a way as to compensate the problems of the transducer operation and to provide the desired high acoustic fidelity, perception of the low frequencies and intelligibility.
  • the amplifier contained in the unit 20 is therefore designed specifically to drive a capacitive load and to supply a sufficient power at the low frequencies.
  • the equalizer is programmed in such a way as to make the acoustic spectrum uniform within the shell 14 by emphasizing the cardiac frequency band.
  • any external signal within the incubator requires a low noise level of the apparatus responsible for the normal operation of the incubator.
  • Existing lower-noise incubators do not exceed the sound pressure level of 46-47 dB(A) measured in the centre of the shell 14 in normal operating conditions.
  • a particularly critical source of noise from the point of view of sound insulation is the fan used to circulate the air within the incubator. This is a source of noise with distinct tonal characteristics, since the noise emission frequency is related to the rotation speed of the motor and to the number of blades of the fan.
  • Conventional sound insulation systems are difficult to apply in the specific case of the fan and have little practical effect.
  • the sound reproduction device can also be used for the purpose of improving the sound insulation of the incubator by using the known principle of active cancellation of the signal, which consists essentially in the generation of an acoustic signal in phase opposition to the noise component which is to be attenuated.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Gynecology & Obstetrics (AREA)
  • Pediatric Medicine (AREA)
  • Pregnancy & Childbirth (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Accommodation For Nursing Or Treatment Tables (AREA)
  • Soundproofing, Sound Blocking, And Sound Damping (AREA)

Claims (6)

  1. Ein Gerät für die Klimakontrolle in einer für die Unterbringung eines neugeborenen Kindes bestimmten Umgebung, das eine Grundstruktur (12) und ein transparentes Gehäuse (14) aus Kunststoffmaterial umfaßt, welches zusammen mit der Grundstruktur (12) einen isolierten Raum begrenzt, in dem bei dessen Betrieb kontrollierte Umweltbedingungen beibehalten werden, sowie Mittel für die Erzeugung akustischer Wellen in dem zuvor genannten Raum, und das mindestens einen elektrisch gesteuerten Antrieb (16) umfaßt, der in der Lage ist, mechanische Vibrationen einer Wand zu erzeugen, durch die die genannten akustischen Wellen entstehen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der genannte Antrieb sich an dem genannten Gehäuse (14) befindet, um mechanische Vibrationen des Gehäuses (14) zu erzeugen, die ein akustisches Feld in dem vom Gehäuse (14) definierten Raum herstellen.
  2. Ein Gerät gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der zuvor genannte Antrieb (16) starr mit dem genannten Gehäuse (14) verbunden ist.
  3. Ein Gerät gemäß Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das genannte Gehäuse (14) mindestens einen Abschnitt aus Kunststoffmaterial umfaßt, in den der genannte Antrieb (16) eingebaut ist.
  4. Ein Gerät gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der genannte Antrieb (16) ein piezoelektrisches Element (22) umfaßt, das in der Lage ist, mechanische Vibrationen des Gehäuses (14) zu erzeugen, die mit einem elektrischen Erregersignal verbunden sind.
  5. Ein Gerät gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß es ein elektrisches Triebwerk (20) umfaßt, welches in der Lage ist, ein elektrisches Eingangssignal zu empfangen und ein elektrisches Signal für die Betätigung des genannten Antriebs (16) zu erzeugen, wobei das genannte Triebwerk (20) konstruiert ist, um das Antriebssignal im Verhältnis zum Eingangssignal so zu verändern, daß die Schwankungen ausgeglichen werden, welchen ein herkömmliches Eingangssignal infolge der Übertragungsfunktion des Schallwiedergabesystems unterworfen wird, das den Antrieb (16), das Gehäuse (14) und den isolierten Raum umfaßt.
  6. Ein Gerät gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß es eine elektronische Steuereinheit umfaßt, die programmiert ist, um eine wirksame Schalldämmung des genannten isolierten Raums durch die Erzeugung akustischer Signale in Phasengegenläufigkeit zu den Geräuschen zu erzeugen, die gedämpft werden sollen.
EP99830214A 1999-04-15 1999-04-15 Gerät zur klimatischen Kontrolle einer Umgebung zur Unterbringung eines neugeborenen Kindes Expired - Lifetime EP1044668B1 (de)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP99830214A EP1044668B1 (de) 1999-04-15 1999-04-15 Gerät zur klimatischen Kontrolle einer Umgebung zur Unterbringung eines neugeborenen Kindes
DE69901875T DE69901875D1 (de) 1999-04-15 1999-04-15 Gerät zur klimatischen Kontrolle einer Umgebung zur Unterbringung eines neugeborenen Kindes
AT99830214T ATE219349T1 (de) 1999-04-15 1999-04-15 Gerät zur klimatischen kontrolle einer umgebung zur unterbringung eines neugeborenen kindes

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP99830214A EP1044668B1 (de) 1999-04-15 1999-04-15 Gerät zur klimatischen Kontrolle einer Umgebung zur Unterbringung eines neugeborenen Kindes

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1044668A1 EP1044668A1 (de) 2000-10-18
EP1044668B1 true EP1044668B1 (de) 2002-06-19

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EP99830214A Expired - Lifetime EP1044668B1 (de) 1999-04-15 1999-04-15 Gerät zur klimatischen Kontrolle einer Umgebung zur Unterbringung eines neugeborenen Kindes

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EP (1) EP1044668B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE219349T1 (de)
DE (1) DE69901875D1 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2324447A1 (es) * 2007-07-04 2009-08-06 Maria Ascension Rodriguez Lopez Incubadora para bebes prematuros.

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
PE20040074A1 (es) 2002-07-12 2004-02-25 Univ Pontificia Catolica Peru Burbuja artificial neonatal
GB2474649A (en) * 2009-10-20 2011-04-27 Catherine Marie Chenier An incubator with means to play a message in response to a baby sound
ITTO20120439A1 (it) * 2012-05-18 2013-11-19 Icostech S R L Apparato per il controllo esterno dell'ambiente acustico presente nelle incubatrici utilizzate per l'assistenza neonatale.
WO2014048465A1 (de) * 2012-09-26 2014-04-03 Pusich Draginja Natascha Inkubator
CN107224356B (zh) * 2017-06-13 2020-01-10 右江民族医学院附属医院 一种适用于新生儿的转运装置

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1591127A (en) * 1976-11-02 1981-06-17 Gatts J D Environmental sumulators for infants
FR2648936B1 (fr) * 1989-06-26 1993-10-01 Couronne Michel Dispositif de reconstitution d'environnement prenatal pour nouveau-ne, isolette equipee d'un tel dispositif et reseau de gestion d'un ensemble d'isolettes ainsi equipees
DE4316173A1 (de) * 1993-05-14 1994-11-17 Diana Richter Einrichtung zur Aufnahme und Betreuung von Frühgeborenen und erkrankten Neugeborenen in einem Inkubator
JPH09206343A (ja) * 1996-01-31 1997-08-12 Atom Medical Kk 保育器用マット装置

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2324447A1 (es) * 2007-07-04 2009-08-06 Maria Ascension Rodriguez Lopez Incubadora para bebes prematuros.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69901875D1 (de) 2002-07-25
EP1044668A1 (de) 2000-10-18
ATE219349T1 (de) 2002-07-15

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