GB929665A - Infant incubator temperature controller and indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

929,665. Treatment chambers. AIRSHIELDS Inc. Oct. 20, 1959 [Oct. 20, 1958], No. 35554/59. Class 81 (2). [Also in Group XXXV] In an infant incubator the supply of radiant heat is automatically controlled in dependence on the infant's body temperature to maintain the latter constant. In Fig. 1 an incubator 5 has a clear plastic cover 6 which is hinged at 9 so that an infant may be placed within on a matress 8. Access holes 4 having plastic sealing means are provided in cover 6. Also provided, but not shown, are inlet and outlet ducts for air and oxygen, and means for controlling the proportion of air to oxygen, the moisture content of the mixture, and the temperature of the mixture. Two infra-red quartz lamps 10 and 11, running in series at a reduced voltage selected by a switch 40, are arranged to provide uniform radiant heat. A thermistor 29, in a plastic tube 30, which is taped to the abdomen of the infant, automatically controls intermittent operation of lamps 10 and 11 (see Group XXXV) so that body temperature is maintained constant at a value determined by the setting of a control 43. To calibrate the apparatus a pair of auxiliary lamps associated with a thermometer in a water bath (not shown) may be plugged in place of lamps 10, 11 and thermistor 29 is placed in the bath. When, later, a pushbutton 34 is operated, a meter 31 is connected and the controlled temperature which it indicates is brought into agreement with the thermometer reading by adjusting coarse and fine rheostats 38, 39. Thereafter meter 31 may be used in setting a desired temperature by means of a control 43. A contact thermometer 19 is exposed to radiation during normal operation so that if the temperature rises unduly a relay is operated to disconnect lamps 10, 11 and operate warning devices.