The neonatal incubator

1
The neonatal incubator

• An example of sensors in action

2
Neonatal incubator
3
Getting the right temperature and humidity

• Air temperature is monitored and controlled.
• Skin temperature is measured through a probe that
  sits in the skin. The probe is covered with a gel
  based reflective cover to insulate it so the
  probe is not affected by lights or blankets.
• Humidity is monitored and controlled to maintain
  skin integrity. The skin is like 'jelly'
  initially, but once out in the open it hardens
  the skin is humidified to ease the transition
  from the intrauterine aquatic environment to the
  external one.

4
Getting effective breathing

• The incubator also has an oxygen sensor, to
  measure the amount of oxygen put into the
  incubator for babies self ventilating in air.
• Ventilators also have sensors to detect breaths
  given by the ventilator and breaths taken by the
  infant. Breaths taken are picked up by the sensor
  and the breath is then backed up by the
  ventilator in order to give the baby a supported
  breath. 

5
What about the vital signs?

• Vital signs are monitored using sensors. Oxygen
  saturations (the percentage of oxygen being
  carried around by red blood cells) are monitored
  via a sensor that sits on the skin either side of
  a foot.
• Other vital signs include the heart rate which is
  also measured using probes on the skin. These
  probes are placed in a 'triangle' set up (to
  ensure an accurate reading). Two are placed
  on either side of the chest and one is placed on
  the low abdomen or upper thigh (this is the earth
  wire). Each probe has a gel for connectivity, the
  wires pick up the rhythms and display an output
  on the monitor. 

6
How well is the baby growing?

• Some incubators weigh the baby and monitor its
  growth. The information is stored in the computer
  inside the incubator. The scales are integrated
  into the incubator.

7
An incubator in use!
8
Acknowledgements

• Slide 2 http//www.centralmedical.co.uk/mainsite/
  images/WeyerBabyWarmers/WeyerBabyWarmers-6.jpg
• Slide 7 http//www.ssnap.co.uk/images/photo_home0
  .jpg
• The information in Slides 3 to 6 were provided by
  Susannah Mascall RN, QIS-Neonatal Nursing.
• This presentation was compiled by John Mascall of
  The Kings School, Ely in October 2008.