, Description:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of baby incubators.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.
The term “Infant Incubator” refers to a medical assistive device used to maintain an optimal environment for the care of a new-born, pre-term baby.
These definitions are in addition to those expressed in the art.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Typically, an incubator is an apparatus used to maintain environmental conditions suitable for a newborn baby (neonate). Incubators typically consist of a source of controlled heat, humidity and oxygen. The conventional incubators can provide continuous monitoring of the infant’s temperature and can control the heat within the incubator. However, conventionally available incubators are bulky and immobile. Also, the conventional incubators it becomes mandatory for an infant born before 37 weeks to be placed in the incubator. These incubators are either available in the nearer hospitals or may be available in another hospitals far away. This may prove to be fatal, as the infant needs to be placed inside the incubator soon after the birth. This is not desired.
There is, therefore, felt a need of an incubator that obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an incubator.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an incubator that is portable and easy transportable.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an incubator that is foldable.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an incubator that helps to maintain desired temperature of an infant.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an incubator that gives notification regarding health of an infant.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an incubator that has detachable and replaceable heating pads.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an incubator that has anti-bacterial and hygienic material layering.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an incubator that has curved corners to prevent from injury while handling.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an incubator that facilitates easy access to the baby.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an incubator that has pores configured on its operative top portion circulation of oxygen inside the incubator.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages an incubator for maintaining temperature of an infant within a pre-set temperature range. The incubator comprises a body, a see through flexible wearing arrangement, a plurality of heating pads, an exhaust fan, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a controller.
The body is defined by a pair of wings and a central upright U-shaped frame. The body is configured to be in an operative folded position. The wings are folded with respect to the upright U-shaped frame and in an operative unfolded position in which the wings are unfolded and extended on either side of the upright U-shaped frame to form a cot. The see through flexible wearing arrangement is secured with respect to the upright U-shaped frame for forming an enclosure over the cot. The heating pads are configured to provide warmth to the infant. The temperature sensor is configured to sense body temperature of the infant and further configured to generate a sensed temperature signal. The humidity sensor is configured to sense temperature and moisture of the air within the enclosure and further configured to generate a sensed humidity signal. The exhaust fan is disposed on the upright U-shaped frame to vent out the hot and humid air from the enclosure. The controller is configured to cooperate with the temperature sensor, the humidity sensor, the heating pads, and the exhaust fan to either activate or deactivate the heating pads, and the exhaust fan to control temperature and humidity within the enclosure in a pre-set temperature range close to the body temperature of the infant based on the received sensed temperature signal and the sensed humidity signal.
In an embodiment, a mattress is disposed on the heating pads. The mattress is configured to provide a cushioned base for the infant to lie there on.
In an embodiment, the incubator includes a heart rate sensor disposed in proximity of the infant. The heart rate sensor is configured to continuously sense heart rate of the infant. The heart rate sensor is further configured to generate a sensed value corresponding to heart rate of the infant.
In an embodiment, the controller includes a signal conditioning unit, a repository, and a comparator. The signal conditioning unit is configured to cooperate with the plurality of sensors to receive the sensed temperature signal, sensed humidity signal. The signal conditioning unit is further configured to generate values corresponding to sensed temperature of the infant and the sensed humidity within the enclosure. The repository is configured to store pre-determined threshold values of temperature of the infant and humidity within the enclosure. The comparator is configured to cooperate with the signal conditioning unit and the repository to receive the value corresponding to sensed temperature of the infant and the sensed humidity of the enclosure, the pre-determined threshold values of temperature of the infant and humidity of the enclosure. The comparator is further configured to compare the value with the pre-determined threshold value of temperature of the infant and the humidity to generate a control signal. The controller is further configured to activate or deactivate the heating pads and the exhaust fan to maintain temperature and humidity in a pre-set temperature range close to body temperature of the infant.
In an embodiment, incubator includes a plugin for connecting an oxygen cylinder.
In an embodiment, the controller is configured to cooperate with the heart rate sensor to receive the heart rate of the infant. The controller is further configured to generate an alert indicating plugin of the oxygen cylinder.
In an embodiment, the incubator includes a display configured to cooperate with the controller to display heart rate of the infant.
In an embodiment, the incubator includes a rechargeable battery disposed therein. The battery is configured to supply power to heating pads and the exhaust fan and other electronic components of the incubator.
In an embodiment, the incubator includes a communication module configured to cooperate with the controller to receive heart rate, humidity information and temperature information of the infant. The communication module is further configured to transmit information regarding heart rate, the temperature information of the infant and the humidity information.
In an embodiment, the communication module is communicatively coupled with a handheld device. The handheld device includes an infant health monitoring tool installed in the handheld device and is configured to receive the heart rate, the temperature information of the infant and the humidity information and display the heart rate, the temperature information of the infant and humidity information.
In an embodiment, the heating pads are detachable and replaceable.
In an embodiment, the upright U-shaped frame has a plurality of pores configured on its operative top surface to facilitate circulation of oxygen within the enclosure.
In an embodiment, the see-through flexible wearing arrangement is of an anti-bacterial and hygienic material.
In an embodiment, the corners of the wings are curved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
An incubator of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of the incubator;
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the incubator of Figure 1;
Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the incubator of Figure 1 in unfolded configuration;
Figure 4 illustrates an isometric view of the incubator of Figure 1 with an infant placed therein;
Figure 5 illustrates a top view of the incubator of Figure 1 with the infant placed therein; and
Figure 6 illustrates a block diagram of a controller of Figure 2 in communication with a handheld device via a communication module.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND DRAWING
100 – Incubator
101 – Infant
102 – Body
102A – Wings
102B – Upright U-shaped frame
104 – See-through flexible arrangement
106 – Heating pads
108 – Temperature sensor
110 – Exhaust fan
110A – Filter
110B – Holder cap
111 – Humidity sensor
112 – Controller
112A – Signal conditioning unit
112B – Repository
112C – Comparator
120 – Mattress
122 – Heart rate sensor
126 – Display
128 – Rechargeable battery
130 – Communication module
132 – Handle
134 – Base
136 – Oxygen cylinder
138 – Handheld device
140 – Infant health monitoring tool

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on," “engaged to,” "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
Terms such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
The present disclosure envisages an incubator for maintaining temperature of an infant and providing a controlled environment to the infant therein. The incubator (herein after referred as “incubator 100”) will now be described with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 6.
The incubator 100 comprises a body 102, a see-through flexible wearing arrangement 104, a plurality of heating pads 106, a temperature sensor 108, an exhaust fan 110, a humidity sensor 111, and a controller 112.
The body 102 is defined by a pair of wings 102A and a central upright U-shaped frame 102B, as depicted in Figure 3. The body 102 is adapted to be configured in an operative folded position. The wings 102A are folded with respect to the upright U-shaped frame 102B and an operative unfolded position in which the wings 102A are unfolded and extended on either side of the upright U-shaped frame 102B to form a cot. The wings 102A are pivotably connected to the upright U-shaped frame 102B. In an embodiment, the upright U-shaped frame 102B has a plurality of pores configured on its operative top surface to facilitate circulation of oxygen through the enclosure. In an embodiment, the corners of the wings 102A are curved to prevent a user from an injury while handling the incubator.
Referring to Figure 3, the see-through flexible wearing arrangement 104 is secured with respect to the upright U-shaped frame 102B for forming an enclosure over the cot. In an embodiment, the see-through flexible wearing arrangement 104 is of an anti-bacterial and hygienic material.
The heating pad 106 is configured to warm the enclosure. A mattress 120 is placed on the heating pad 106 to prevent the infant from coming in direct contact with the heating pad 106 and causing burns. The mattress 120 is cushioned base to provide comfort to the infant 101, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. In an embodiment, the heating pads 106 are detachable and replaceable. The heating pads 106 are detachably disposed on a base 134 as shown in Figure 1.
The temperature sensor 108 is disposed near the infant 101 and is configured to sense the temperature of the infant 101 to generate a sensed temperature signal. The humidity sensor 111 is disposed within the enclosure to sense the temperature and moisture of the air within the enclosure to generate a sensed humidity signal.
Referring to Figure 2, the exhaust fan 110 is disposed on the upright U-shaped frame 102B to vent out the hot and humid air from the enclosure. The exhaust fan 110 is mounted on top said upright U-shaped frame 102B. The exhaust fan 110 is configured to allow excess humidity generated in the enclosure to vent out, thereby providing desirable conditions inside the enclosure. An air filter 110A is placed before the exhaust fan 110 to prevent any outside dust or dirt particle entering the inside environment i.e. inside the mattress 120. This prevents the infant 101 from being subjected to harmful particles from external environment entering the environment. The fan 110 is secured by a holder cap 110B which is placed above the fan 110.
Referring to Figure 6, the controller 112 is configured to cooperate with the temperature sensor 108, the heating pad 106, the exhaust fan 110 and the humidity sensor 111 to either activate or deactivate the heating pads 106, and the exhaust fan 110 to control temperature and humidity in a pre-set temperature range close to the body temperature of the infant 101 based on the received sensed temperature signal and the sensed humidity signal. In an embodiment, the controller 112 includes a signal conditioning unit 112A, a repository 112B, and a comparator 112C. The signal conditioning unit 112A is configured to cooperate with the temperature sensor 108, the humidity sensor 111 to receive the sensed temperature signal, and the sensed humidity signal. The signal conditioning unit 112A is further configured to generate values corresponding to sensed temperature of the infant and the sensed humidity of the enclosure.
The repository 112B is configured to store pre-determined threshold values of temperature and humidity.
The comparator 112C is configured to cooperate with the signal conditioning unit 112A and the repository 112B to receive the value corresponding to sensed temperature of the infant 101 and the sensed humidity signal, the pre-determined threshold values of temperature of the infant 101 and the humidity within the enclosure. The comparator 112C is further configured to compare the value with the pre-determined threshold value of temperature of the infant 101 and the humidity within the enclosure to generate a control signal. The controller 112 is further configured to activate or deactivate the heating pads 106 and the exhaust fan 110 to maintain temperature and humidity of the environment in a pre-set temperature range close to body temperature of the infant 101.
The incubator 100 also includes the heart rate sensor 122 disposed near the mattress 120. The heart rate monitoring sensor 122 is configured to continuously monitor heart rate of the infant 101. In an embodiment, incubator 100 includes a plugin for connecting an oxygen cylinder 136, as shown in Figure 2.
The incubator 100 includes a display 126 configured to cooperate with the heart rate sensor 122 to display heart rate of the infant 101, the temperature of the infant. The controller 112 is configured to cooperate with the heart rate sensor 122 to receive the heart rate of the infant 101.
In an embodiment, the controller 112, and the display 126 are placed inside a plastic or metal casing and are fixed to the upright U-shaped frame 102B via fasteners.
The incubator 100 includes a plugin socket for connecting the oxygen cylinder 136 to supply the oxygen to the infant in need. In an embodiment, the incubator 100 includes a portable rechargeable battery 128 disposed therein. The battery 128 is configured to supply power to the heating pad 106 and the exhaust fan 110 and other electronic components of the incubator 100.
The incubator 100 includes a communication module 130 configured to cooperate with the controller 112 to receive the heart rate and temperature information of the infant 101. The communication module 130 is further configured to transmit information regarding heart rate, the temperature of the infant 101 and the information related to the humidity within the enclosure.
The communication module 130 is communicatively coupled with a handheld device 138 of the caretaker or a physician or a pediatrician. The handheld device 138 includes an infant health monitoring tool 140 installed therein and is configured to receive the heart rate, the temperature related information of the infant 101. The tool 140 is further configured to display the heart rate, the temperature related information of the infant 101, and the humidity related information on the handheld device 138.
In an operative configuration, when the infant 101 is placed inside the incubator 100, the temperature sensor 108 start sensing the temperature of infant and the humidity sensor 111 starts sensing surrounding temperature and moisture of the infant 101 to generate sensed values. If the sensed temperature values corresponding to the infant are below pre-determined threshold values, the controller 112 will not generate any control signal to activate the heating pads 106. If the sensed temperature and humidity values of the air are below pre-determined threshold values then the controller 112 will not generate a control signal to activate the exhaust fan 110. If the sensed heart rate of the infant is below pre-determined threshold values then the controller 112 will not generate a control signal to generate an alert to allow plugin of the oxygen cylinder 136.
On the other hand, once the sensed temperature values of the infant 101 go above the pre-determined threshold values, the controller 112 will generate a control signal to activate the printed heating pads 106. Similarly, if the sensed humidity values of the enclosure go above the pre-determined threshold values, the controller 112 will generate a control signal to activate the exhaust fan 110 to vent out the hot and humid air. Thus, the incubator 100 of the present disclosure maintains the temperature and humidity of the environment close to the body temperature of the infant 101.
Similarly, when the sensed values for the heart rate are above pre-determined threshold values, then the controller 112 will generate a control signal to display an alert indicating to turn on the supply of oxygen via plugging the cylinder 136. The communication module 130 receives the heart rate information, humidity information and temperature information and transmits this information to the handheld device 138 to display the information to the caretaker or the pediatrician.
The incubator 100 of the present disclosure has higher functionality in terms of monitoring and controlling temperature of the infant and the environment with in the incubator 100. Due to the use of flexible, less power consuming, and light weight components, it is compact and easily portable. Further, the use of rechargeable battery 128 makes the incubator 100 is standalone unit. Also, the incubator 100 is capable of wireless communication with the smartphones or various other handheld devices capable of having wireless communication. This facilitates efficient monitoring of the infant parameters. The incubator 100 of the present disclosure facilitates easy access to the infant 101.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an incubator, that:
• is portable and easy transportable;
• is foldable;
• helps to maintain desired temperature of an infant;
• gives notification regarding health of an infant;
• has detachable and replaceable heating pads;
• has anti-bacterial and hygienic material layer;
• has curved corners to prevent a user from injury while handling;
• facilitates easy access to the baby; and
• has pores configured on its operative top portion for circulation of oxygen.
The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, or group of elements, but not the exclusion of any other element, or group of elements.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. An incubator (100) for maintaining temperature of an infant (101) within a pre-set temperature, said incubator (100) comprising:
a. a body (102) defined by:
i. a pair of wings (102A); and
ii. a central upright U-shaped frame (102B), said body configured to be in an operative folded position with respect to said upright U-shaped frame (102B) and in an operative unfolded position in which said wings (102A) are unfolded and extended on either side of said upright U-shaped frame (102B) to form a cot,
b. a see-through flexible wearing arrangement (104) secured with respect to said upright U-shaped frame (102B) for forming an enclosure over the cot;
c. a plurality of heating pads (106) to provide warmth to said infant (101);
d. a temperature sensor (108) disposed near said infant (101) configured to sense body temperature of said infant (101) and further configured to generate a sensed temperature signal;
e. a humidity sensor (111) configured to sense moisture and temperature of the air within said enclosure and further configured to generate a sensed moisture signal;
f. an exhaust fan (110) disposed on said upright U-shaped frame (102B) to vent out said hot and humid air from the enclosure; and
g. a controller (112) configured to cooperate with said temperature sensor (108), said humidity sensor (111), said heating pads (106), and said exhaust fan (110) to either activate or deactivate said heating pads (106), and said exhaust fan (110) to control temperature and humidity within the enclosure in a pre-set temperature range close to the body temperature of said infant (101) based on said received sensed temperature signal and said sensed moisture signal.
2. The incubator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a mattress (120) is disposed on said heating pads (106), said mattress (120) configured to provide a cushioned base for said infant (101) to lie thereon.
3. The incubator (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a heart rate sensor (122) disposed in proximity of said infant (101) and configured to continuously sense heart rate of said infant (101) and further configured to generate a sensed value corresponding to heart rate of said infant (101).
4. The incubator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller (112) includes:
a. signal conditioning unit (112A) configured to cooperate with said temperature sensor (108) and said humidity sensor (111) to receive said sensed temperature signal and said sensed moisture signal and is further configured to generate values corresponding to said sensed temperature signal of said infant (101) and said sensed moisture signals of said air within enclosure;
b. a repository (112B) configured to store pre-determined threshold values of temperature corresponding to said and moisture; and
c. a comparator (112C) configured to cooperate with said signal conditioning unit (112A) and said repository (112B) to receive said values corresponding to sensed temperature signals and said sensed moisture signals, said pre-determined threshold values of temperature and moisture and further configured to compare said values with said pre-determined threshold values to generate control signals, said controller (112) further configured to either activate or deactivate said heating pads (106) or said exhaust fan (110) to maintain temperature of said environment in a pre-set temperature range within said enclosure close to the body temperature of said infant (101).
5. The incubator (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a plugin for connecting an oxygen cylinder (136).
6. The incubator (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said controller (112) is configured to cooperate with said heart rate sensor (122) to receive said heart rate of said infant, said controller (112) is further configured to generate an alert indicating plugin of said oxygen cylinder (136).
7. The incubator (100) as claimed in claim 6, which includes a display (126) configured to cooperate with said controller (112) to display heart rate of said infant (101).
8. The incubator (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a rechargeable battery (128) disposed therein, said battery (128) configured to power said heating pad (106) and said exhaust fan (110) and other electronic components of said incubator (100).
9. The incubator (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a communication module (130) configured to cooperate with said controller (112) to receive said heart rate and temperature information of said infant (101) and is further configured to transmit information regarding heart rate, the temperature information of said infant (101), and the humidity information within the enclosure.
10. The incubator (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said communication module (130) is communicatively coupled with a handheld device (138), said handheld device (138) includes an infant health monitoring tool (140) installed in said handheld device (138) and is configured to:
a. receive said heart rate, the temperature information of said infant (101), and humidity information; and
b. display said heart rate, the temperature information of said infant (101), and the humidity information.
11. The incubator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heating pads (106) are detachable and replaceable.
12. The incubator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upright U-shaped frame (102B) has a plurality of pores configured on its operative top surface to facilitate circulation of oxygen within said enclosure.
13. The incubator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said see-through flexible wearing arrangement (104) is of an anti-bacterial and hygienic material.
14. The incubator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein corners of said wings (102A) are curved.