Disposable infant incubator and disposable contained microenvironment for stationary or transport cases

Abstract

A neonatal infant incubator apparatus (10) and a control system module (17), and methods and systems for using the control system module to control the microenvironment of the contained space (16) of the infant incubator apparatus (10). The neonatal infant incubator apparatus (10) including a collapsible frame (12) and a disposable housing (14) to create a closed contained space (16) with a controlled microenvironment. The control system module (17) is comprises a battery (32) and is configured to operate with low voltage; the control system module (17) configured to control the microenvironment, including regulating the temperature and gas composition, of the contained space (16), and includes an air circulation system (72) in air and/or fluid communication with the contained space (16). The systems, apparatus and methods are suitable for containing a full-term or premature infant in need of care in areas where power sources are limited, including e.g., rural or remote regions, third world countries, in a regular clinical setting and/or for transportation of the infant.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A controlled environment neonatal infant incubator comprising:
 i. a control module base, having a housing for comprising at least one or more air circulation systems or air sterilization systems selected from the group consisting of: an air pump, an air filter, ultraviolet light, an air sterilizer, vacuum, ozonizer, a humidifier and air heater,   ii. a frame, the frame configured to be in a collapsed configuration or expanded configuration, and when in the expanded configuration, is detachably connected to the control module base;   iii. a disposable housing detachably connected to the inside of the frame, the disposable housing comprising a plurality of sidewalls and a floor, and at least one inlet port with a valve and a tube, and wherein the disposable housing forms a contained space configured for an infant when detachably connected to the frame in the expanded configuration;
 wherein the control base module comprises at least one port that is in air communication with the contained space via the at least one port of the disposable housing, and 
 wherein the control base module is connected to a power supply comprising a battery or voltage converter, or both. 
   
     
     
         17 . The incubator of  claim 16 , wherein the frame when in the collapsible configuration is not attached to the base. 
     
     
         18 . The incubator of  claim 16 , wherein the control module base regulates at least one of humidity and air flow in the contained space. 
     
     
         19 . The incubator of  claim 16 , wherein the housing further comprises at least one hand port in at least one sidewall. 
     
     
         20 . The incubator of  claim 16 , wherein the housing further comprises at least one air-locked sleeve in at least one side wall. 
     
     
         21 . The incubator of  claim 16 , wherein the housing further comprises at least one air-locked infant access door. 
     
     
         22 . The incubator of  claim 16 , wherein the battery is a 12V battery or a rechargeable 12V battery. 
     
     
         23 . The incubator of  claim 16 , wherein the housing further comprises at least one outlet port in the floor, the outlet port having a valve and a tube coupling system, or at least one inlet port in the floor, the inlet port having a valve and a tube coupling system. 
     
     
         24 . The incubator of  claim 23 , wherein the control module base further comprises at least one of:
 a. an outlet port and a tube coupling system configured for air communication with an inlet port on a disposable neonatal infant incubator apparatus, or   b. an inlet port and a tube coupling system configured for air communication with an outlet port on a disposable neonatal infant incubator apparatus.   
     
     
         25 . The incubator of claim  1 , wherein the control module base further comprises:
 a. a microprocessor connected to the power supply, the microprocessor comprising software for executing a program for controlling one or more of the functions:
 i. maintaining temperature within a pre-determined temperature range, 
 ii. maintaining humidity within a pre-determined humidity range, 
 iii. maintaining light at within a pre-defined wavelength range, 
 iv. maintaining the gas composition within a pre-determined range, and 
 v. maintaining sterility of the air in the contained space, 
   b. an interface with one or more switches for controlling power to microprocessor, and for controlling any one or more functions (i) to (v);   
     
     
         26 . The incubator of claim  1 , wherein the frame or the plurality of sidewalls in the housing are transparent, or both. 
     
     
         27 . The incubator of claim  1 , wherein the control module base comprises a HEPA filter. 
     
     
         28 . The incubator of  claim 25 , wherein the control module base is operatively connected to at least one sensor in the contained space, the sensor configured to monitor any one of: temperature, humidity or gas composition of the air in the contained space. 
     
     
         29 . The incubator of  claim 25 , wherein the control module base is configured to control the microenvironment of the contained space, the control module base regulating temperature and gas composition in the contained space, the control module base including at least one tube that is in air communication with the contained space via the at least one inlet port of the disposable housing; and providing and controlling air flow into the contained space with the one or more air circulation systems or air sterilization systems. 
     
     
         30 . The incubator of claim  1 , further comprising a camera detachably connected to the frame, the camera monitoring at least one of visible or non-visible spectrum. 
     
     
         31 . The incubator of  claim 30 , wherein the camera is operatively connected to the controller system module.