WO2017013676A2

WO2017013676A2 - Respiratory assisting portable incubation device

Info

Publication number: WO2017013676A2
Application number: PCT/IN2016/000194
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nitin CHOUTHAI
Original assignee: Chouthai Nitin
Priority date: 2015-07-21
Filing date: 2016-07-21
Publication date: 2017-01-26
Also published as: WO2017013676A3

Abstract

A respiratory assisting portable incubation device (100) is disclosed. The respiratory assisting portable incubation device (100) comprises a base (30), an enclosure (60), at two holders, at least one lighting means, at least one imaging device, a heating and moisturizing upgrade over mechanism and an air compression unit (90). The device (100) is a simple, low-cost and easy to use solution that not only provides a stable and secure incubatory environment for neonates during their transport to a hospital or during hospital stay, but also has a respiratory support mechanism to combat bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) as well as further clinical complications such as retinopathy of prematurity, asphyxia and pulmonary hypertension.

Description

RESPIRATORY ASSISTING PORTABLE INCUBATION DEVICE

Field of the invention The present invention relates to a portable incubation device and more particularly, to a respiratory assisting portable incubation device for neonates and infants.

Background of the invention A significant number of neonates/ newborns require emergency procedures or care for post-partum complications. Further, there are a significant proportion of preterm neonates who require specialized birth-resuscitation, fluid therapy and continual strategy to provide respiratory support and immediate care to the underinflated lungs. Thus, the neonates need to be transferred from delivery hospitals to neonatal intensive care unit for further care. In order to better facilitate care, timely and proper availability of transport facility must be available for the neonates especially those born in rural areas.

Often, these transport systems are unorganized, have ill-equipped health facilities, inadequately trained care providers, open air and unsafe on rough terrain pathways and do not provide critical en-route care for the baby's survival. Over 75% of babies transported in this manner are cold, blue, and hypoglycemic incurring severe clinical implications upon arrival at greater medical care. Moreover, improper or lack of action, may lead to adverse effects on the respiratory system and lead to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) as well as further clinical complications, retinopathy of prematurity, asphyxia and pulmonary hypertension. As a result, there has been a consistent decline in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) or early neonatal mortality rates (ENMR) in the rural areas due to limited available resources and treatment options.

More than 50% of infant mortality is accountable to lung related illnesses such as BPD which are undiagnosed and untreated. The pathogenesis of BPD has been correlated with the use of cumbersome mechanical ventilators such as nCPAP. Changes in delivered volumes, pressure, and frequent intubation cause trauma to the immature lung as well as increase risk of airway infection. Accordingly, there exists a need for a respiratory assisting portable incubation device that overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Objects of the invention An object of the present invention is to provide a simple, easy to use and assemble, cost efficient and reliable transportation mechanism which will facilitate treatment during hospital stay and/or transport of infants/neonates with respiratory distress thereby decreasing neonatal and infant mortality rates. Another object of the present invention is to provide care and continual treatment to the newborns in the duration of transport, where fatality is greatest.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a non- invasive respiratory support and to decrease the need for intubation and cumbersome mechanical ventilators. Yet another object of the present invention is to bridge the gap by eliminating medical disparities between rural and urban parts for improving the quality of the care for neonates. Summary of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a respiratory assisting portable incubation device. The respiratory assisting portable incubation device comprises a base, an enclosure, at least two holders, at least one lighting means, at least one imaging device, a heating and moisturizing upgrade over mechanism and an air compression unit.

The base is adapted for resting on a support stand. The base is a plastic cuboidal base capable of being sliding in or out of the enclosure. The base includes a mattress and a blanket placed thereon, the mattress having at least one pair of first straps for holding a neonate thereon, the blanket for covering the neonate. The mattress includes a chemically activated heating system and the blanket includes an insulating means for providing and marinating required temperature inside the incubator. The enclosure is mounted on the base to form an incubator for providing care to the neonate during the transport to a hospital as well as during the stay in the hospital. The incubator is a fully enclosed illuminated portable box like structure made up of transparent, recyclable and shock absorbing materials. The enclosure is formed of a first chamber and a second chamber removably attached to the first chamber leaving a gap on a top surface there between to provide easy access inside the enclosure. The second chamber is capable of being moved by any one of a manual means and an automatic means for attaching to and detaching from the first chamber to allow the neonate to be placed in or carried out of the enclosure. The second chamber is removably attached to the first chamber by at least one pair of second straps.

The at least two holders is fitted externally on the base, particularly into slots configured on the base. The at least two holders is selected from any one of at least one pair of third straps and at least two handles. The at least two holders allows holding the incubator thereby facilitating ease of transportation of the incubator. The at least one lighting means is fitted inside the incubator. The at least one imaging device is fitted inside the incubator to allow caretakers to monitor safety of the neonate from a remote distance. The heating and moisturizing upgrade over mechanism is adapted for allowing the caretaker to adjust incubation parameters in the incubator for the neonate. The air compression unit is attached to a side of the first chamber. The air compression unit is capable of being connected to a nasal cannula for providing air supply to the neonate with mild to moderate respiratory distress. The air compression unit is a breathing support having a compressor, a humidifier and a filter. The nasal cannula is a high-flow nasal cannula such as a heated/ humidified high-flow nasal cannula.

Brief description of the drawings

The objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in accordance with the accompanying drawings wherein,

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a respiratory assisting portable incubation device, in accordance with the present invention; Figures 2 and 3 are different views of the respiratory assisting portable incubation device in open position, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 shows at least one pair of first straps of the respiratory assisting portable incubation device for holding a neonate therein, in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 5 shows an air compression unit of the respiratory assisting portable incubation device for supplying air to the neonate, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiment.

The present invention provides a respiratory assisting portable incubation device (herein after 'the device'). The device is a simple, easy to use and assemble, cost efficient and reliable transportation mechanism that facilitates treatment during hospital stay and/or transport of infants/neonates with respiratory distress thereby decreasing neonatal and infant mortality rates especially in rural areas. The device is a non-invasive respiratory support that decreases the need for intubation and cumbersome mechanical ventilators.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description. Referring to figures 1 -5, a respiratory assisting portable incubation device (100) in accordance with the present invention is shown. Specifically, the respiratory assisting portable incubation device (100) (herein after 'the device (100)') is a kit designed for providing intensive care to neonates and infants with respiratory and other post- partum complications.

The device (100) comprises a base (30), an enclosure (60), at least two holders (not numbered), at least one lighting means (not shown), at least one imaging device (not shown), a heating and moisturizing upgrade over mechanism (not shown) and an air compression unit (90).

The base (30) is adapted for resting on a support stand (not shown). The base (30) includes a mattress (20) and a blanket (not shown) placed thereon. The mattress (20) is spread on the base (30) and includes at least one pair of first straps (10) (refer figure 4) for holding a neonate thereon. The blanket is for covering the neonate. In an embodiment, the base (30) is a plastic cuboidal base (30), the mattress (20) includes a chemically activated heating system and the blanket includes an insulating means for providing and marinating required temperature inside the enclosure (60). The base (30) is capable of being moved in or out of the enclosure (60) thereby serving as a standalone bed. The base (30) is moved in or out of the enclosure (60) by any one of a manual means and an automatic means.

The enclosure (60) is an entrenching overhead cover mounted on the base (30) to form an incubator (70). The incubator (70) is adapted for providing care to neonate placed therein during their transport to a hospital as well as during their stay in the hospital. In an embodiment, the incubator (70) is a fully enclosed illuminated portable box like structure made up of transparent, recyclable and shock absorbing materials for example polycarbonate, high density polyethylene such that there is only a negligible transfer of noise and vibrations to the neonate during their transport to hospitals.

The enclosure (60) is formed of a first chamber (50) and a second chamber (40). The first chamber (50) is a fixed chamber fixed on the base (30). The second chamber (40) is a movable chamber. The second chamber (40) is removably attached to the first chamber (50) leaving a staggered opening/gap (not shown) there between and on a top surface (not numbered) of the enclosure (60). The second chamber (40) is attached to the first chamber (50) by at least one pair of second straps (not shown). The gap provides an easy access inside the enclosure (60) as and when required. In an embodiment, the gap is for allowing intravenous delivery of medication to the neonate. The second chamber (40) is capable of being moved by any one of a manual means and an automatic means for attaching to and detaching from the first chamber (50) to allow the neonate to be placed in or carried out of the incubator (70) as per requirement.

The at least two holders are fitted externally on the base (30). Specifically, the at least two holders are fitted on slots (not numbered) configured on the base (30). The at least two holders allows a caretaker to hold the incubator (70) thereby facilitating ease of transportation of the incubator (70). Specifically, the at least two holders are selected from any one of at least one pair of third straps (80) and at least two handles (not shown). One strap of the at least one pair of third straps (80) goes over the neck of a user/operator/ caretaker and another strap at least one pair of third straps (80) fastens around the waist to secure the incubator (70) to the user/ the caretaker. The caretaker then moves around with ease and uses his/her hands to manipulate the neonate. However, it is understood that any other types of holders can be fitted on the base (30) using any suitable means known in the art. The at least one lighting means and the at least one imaging device are fitted inside the incubator (70). The at least one imaging device for example a camera, digicam and the like is adapted to allow the caretakers such as physicians to monitor safety of the neonate from a remote distance.

The heating and moisturizing upgrade over mechanism is adapted for allowing the caretaker to adjust incubation parameters such as temperature, humidity, oxygen and the like in the incubator (70) thus creating most suitable environment for the neonate. In an embodiment, the heating mechanism is fitted under the mattress (20) of the neonate. The humidification mechanism is added from a side portal. Temperature and, oxygen is monitored using portable monitors.

The heating and moisturizing upgrade over mechanism is simplified to have three basic levels for each parameter allowing even the most novices of users to adjust the parameters on a case-by-case basis. The heating system is turned on or off based on temperature alarms set in the sensors. The breathing support is turned on or off depending on oxygen level or the feedback provided by an expert in long distance reviewing baby's condition using camera. Humidity is provided only if the temperature of the baby is too low and not improving with temperature regulation provided by warming blanket. In an embodiment, the device (100) includes sensors (not shown) for detecting and monitoring various parameters such as temperature, humidity, oxygen and the like inside the incubator (70). Based on the parameters detected by the sensors, the caretaker is able to set the desired parameters using the heating and moisturizing upgrade over mechanism. For example if temperature of the baby is below a certain range then the heating mechanism is turned on. If the temperature normalizes, the heating mechanism is turned off. The air compression unit (90) is attached to a side of the first chamber (50) using a movable straps attached to the side of the first chamber (5.0). Specifically, the air compression unit (90) is a battery operated breathing support. The air compression unit (90) includes a compressor (not shown), a humidifier (not shown) and a filter (not shown) for providing air supply to the neonate. The air compression unit (90) is capable of being connected to a nasal cannula (not shown) for providing air supply to the neonate with mild to moderate respiratory distress. Particularly, the nasal cannula is a high- flow nasal cannula and more particularly, a heated/ humidified high-flow nasal cannula.

Advantages of the invention

1. The device (100) is designed as a simple, cost effective breathing support system that provides support to breathing of newborns who suffer from pneumonia or weak premature lungs and is to be used during their transport to the hospital or hospital stay and thus contributes significantly to reduced case of neonate deaths.

2. The device ( 100) is a low-cost and easy to use solution that not only provides a stable and secure incubatory environment for the neonate, but also has a respiratory support mechanism to combat bronchopulmonary dysplasia, (BPD) as well as further clinical complications, such as retinopathy of prematurity, asphyxia and pulmonary hypertension.

3. The device (100) reduces neonatal morality rates and improves the quality of the care for neonates while keeping in the mind the financial and manpower related limitations.

4. The device (100) being nearly foolproof to use and assemble and inexpensive to create is capable of bridging the gap between quality of neonatal care amongst different socioeconomic parts. 5. The device (100) is stored and distributed in a normal backpack that is capable of being carried around anywhere and thus is easy to transport and utilize.

6. This entire structure is an upgrade over open air transportation or rudimentary kangaroo care because it protects the baby's critical airways from environmental debris and stress.

7. The device (100) is constructed solely from low cost, potentially safe and recyclable material. The plastic of the incubator (70) is easily sterilized and reused to reduce costs.

8. The heating and moisturizing upgrade over mechanism is simplified to have three basic levels for each parameter. Thus, even the most novices of users can adjust the parameters on a case-by-case basis.

9. The most important goal of introducing non-invasive respiratory support is to decrease the need for intubation and cumbersome mechanical ventilators, nCPAP.

10. The device (100) is a safe and cost effective alternative to ambulance or similar forms of immediate transport that is commonly not readily accessible to newborns.

1 1. The device (100) allows within transportation in accessible alternative transport selected from but not limited to a personal vehicle, an auto-rickshaw, a two- wheeler or any other convenient and safe transport means available in an emergency situation.

12. The device (100) allows level of respiratory distress, amount of support and temperatures (temperature instability/ fluctuations) of the newborns to be recorded / accessed before the transport and after the transport that is during hospital stay.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A respiratory assisting portable incubation device (100) comprising:

• a base (30) being adapted for resting on a support stand, the base (30) having a mattress (20) and a blanket placed thereon, the mattress (20) having at least one pair of first straps (10) for holding a neonate thereon, the blanket for covering the neonate;

• an enclosure (60) mounted on the base (30) to form an incubator (70) for providing care to the neonate during the transport to a hospital as well as during the stay in the hospital, the enclosure (60) being formed of a first chamber (50) and a second chamber (40) removably attached to the first chamber (50) leaving a gap on a top surface there between to provide an easy access inside the enclosure (60), the second chamber (40) capable of being moved by any one of a manual means and an automatic means for attaching to and detaching from the first chamber (50) to allow the neonate to be placed in or carried out of the enclosure (60);

• at least two holders fitted externally on the base (30) for allowing a caretaker to hold the incubator (70) thereby facilitating ease of transportation of the incubator (70);

• at least one lighting means fitted inside the incubator (70);

· at least one imaging device fitted inside the incubator (70) to allow caretakers to monitor safety of the neonate from a remote distance;

• a heating and moisturizing upgrade over mechanism being adapted for allowing the caretaker to adjust incubation parameters in the incubator (70) for the neonate; and

· an air compression unit (90) attached to a side of the first chamber (50), the air compression unit (90) capable of being connected to a nasal cannula for providing air supply to the neonate with mild to moderate respiratory distress.

2. The respiratory assisting portable incubation device (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the base (30) is a plastic cuboidal base capable of being moved in or out of the enclosure (60).

3. The respiratory assisting portable incubation device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mattress (20) includes a chemically activated heating system and the blanket includes an insulating means for providing and marinating required temperature inside the enclosure (60).

4. The respiratory assisting portable incubation device (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the incubator (70) is a fully enclosed illuminated portable box like structure made up of transparent, recyclable and shock absorbing materials.

5. The respiratory assisting portable incubation device (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second chamber (40) is removably attached to the first chamber (50) by at least one pair of second straps.

6. The respiratory assisting portable incubation device (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least two holders is selected from any one of at least one pair of third straps (80) and at least two handles.

7. The respiratory assisting portable incubation device (100) as claimed in claim 1 , the at least two holders are fitted on slots configured on the base (30).

8. The respiratory assisting portable incubation device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air compression unit (90) is a battery operated breathing support having a compressor, a humidifier and a filter.

9. The respiratory assisting portable incubation device (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the nasal cannula is a high-flow nasal cannula.

10. The respiratory assisting portable incubation device (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the nasal cannula is a heated/ humidified high-flow nasal cannula.