GB1082381A - Improvements in or relating to infant incubators - Google Patents

Abstract

1,082,381. Infant incubators. G. C. GRANT. June 25, 1965 [June 25, 1964], No. 12674/64. Heading A5R. An infant incubator comprises an enclosure having a longitudinal vertical cross-section which is substantially elliptical and an overall shape which preferably is substantially ellipsoidal. The enclosure comprises a base and a lid each having double walls with a sealed space between the walls, a tray forming a dividing wall between upper and lower parts of the enclosure and providing support for an infant, the tray being so shaped as to provide openings connecting the upper and lower parts at the ends of the enclosure thus to define an air circulation path, and air heating and humidifying means mounted inside the enclosure underneath the tray. The base preferably is mounted in a metal frame which includes a rail extending completely around the perimeter of the enclosure in a substantially horizontal plane; the lid may be hinged to this peripheral rail. As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, which are front elevation and base plan views respectively, the base 10 comprises inner and outer shells 11 and 12, the space between the shells being sealed by flange 13, and is rigidly supported by two U-shaped metal frame members 16 housed between the walls of the base and extending transversely of the enclosure. The frame members have projections 17 passing through the outer shell adjacent its upper edge and secured to a continuous looped metal tube frame 18 extending wholly around the upper edge of the base. To provide a stand for the incubator, leg members 21 are secured to the frame members by means of lugs 19 extending through the outer shell of the base. The lid 24 comprises inner and outer shells 25 and 26, the space between the shells being sealed by flange 27. The lid has hinge arms (not shown) pivotally connected to lugs 29 mounted on the looped frame to enable the lid to be raised or lowered, hatch 31 and flexible ring 32 provide a substantially hermetic seal between the base and the lid. The shells of the base and lid preferably are formed of mouldings of thermoplastic material. A tray 33, together with pad 37, rests in the base, the tray having upstanding wall portions 35 serving as handles. The tray is so shaped at its ends that apertures 36 in the wall portions and gaps 34 allow air to circulate in the enclosure. Tubes 38 and 41 (not shown), extending between the inner and outer shells and provided with apertured dome caps 39 and 42, allow limited flow of air into and from the enclosure, respectively. An aperture 14 in the front of the base receives a drawer-like housing 15 which contains an electric motor 44 driving an air-circulating fan 45 mounted outside the wall of the housing. Alongside the housing is a water container 43 containing a supply tank 49 and an opentopped tray 47, the tray being immediately above heater 46 which is supported by the housing; the housing, together with the fan and the heater, are removable from the base as a unit. Transformer 48 enables mains electricity to be supplied to the motor and heater, both of which preferably are designed to work at low voltage, for example 12 volts. In operation, the fan draws air through opening 54 in baffle 55 and delivers it over ramp 56 through the space defined by the housing and rear wall 57 and through apertures 53 in the walls of the tray, the air passing over a block 52 of porous material mounted in the tray. Thermostatic control is provided to maintain a constant temperature in the enclosure, the thermostat 58 being so positioned that it is subject to air returning from the upper part of the enclosure, the air passing in the order of thermostat, fan and heater, as indicated by the arrows. The thermostat controls switch 63 which may be manually set by knob 64. A second thermostat 62 is provided to operate an alarm system, for example if air circulation fails. Switch 59 and knob 61 enable the heater to be operated at various heating levels with or without the conjoint operation of the fan. A cavity 65 behind the housing receives a pressure oxygen container 66 to which is attached flow control 67 and flexible pipe 68; supply tube 69 enables the container to be refilled or oxygen to be supplied to the enclosure over an extended period.