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by Joan Trombetti

Note: This report originally appeared in the May 2008 edition of DOTmed Business News. A list of registered users that provide sales & service can be found at the end.



Neonatal incubators, or isolettes, are one of the oldest medical devices in use. The basic design was established in the 1920s and has not changed much over the years. There are a variety of incubators in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), but they all do basically the same job. Because it usually takes neonates (new-borns) a few hours to regulate their body temperature, keeping them warm is crucial because cold can stress a neonate's system and lead to oxygen deprivation, hypoglycemia and metabolic acidosis, as well other life threatening conditions.

A basic neonatal incubator has a factory set upper-limit thermostat under the mattress that has a range between 105°[<00B0>][<00B0>]F and 107°[<00B0>][<00B0>]F. The unit should always be tested to make sure the correct temperature is set.

Typical values applicable to incubator settings are:
Air Temperature: 32 to 38°[<00B0>][<00B0>]C(90 to 100°[<00B0>][<00B0>]F)
Baby skin temperature: 34 to 36°[<00B0>][<00B0>]C (93 to 96°[<00B0>][<00B0>]F)
Total gas intake: 35 L/min
Relative humidity: 50-100%

Incubators can be single-walled or double-walled. The double-walled incubator has a greater ability to maintain uniform temperature. There are "no frills" models that are used for newborns that are premature, or low-weight, but otherwise healthy. These incubators provide a means to control the environment around the baby by regulating the temperature and humidity and supplying oxygen if necessary.




There are also incubators that offer an open care system that can be converted to a closed incubator when necessary. These have a canopy that opens, and are computerized to allow for temperature and humidity control to maintain a neutral thermal environment. The design of these incubators allow clinicians easy access to a newborn who requires critical care and monitoring.

New NICU

Women & Infants Hospital (W&I), Providence, RI - the ninth busiest maternity hospital in the nation - operates a Level III, 60-bed NICU, which specializes in the care of premature and distressed newborns and those requiring specific surgery at nearby Hasbro Children's Hospital. Each infant station is fully equipped with the technology necessary to support a distressed newborn, including incubators, oxygen, suctioning, monitoring and ventilatory devices.

Continue reading DOTmed Industry Sector Report: Neonatal Incubators...

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