Alternative Infant Incubator
Qingwen Kawaji, Partner: Kristin Donato
Background
Case Studies (with cost)
Case Study Analysis
Project Goal
Anticipated Expenses
Who Needs Incubators?
• Premature Infants
▫ WHO reports in 2005 that 11 million of all preterm births occur in third world
countries.
[Beck, Stacy, et al. “The Worldwide Incidence of Preterm Birth: A WHO Systematic Review of Maternal Mortality and
Morbidity.” Bulletin of the World Health Organization (2009): 10.2471. ]
▫ 34.3% of all infant deaths is caused by premature birth.
[Science Daily. Oct. 5, 2006. “New Study: Preterm Birth Causes One-Third Of All Infant Deaths.”
<http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/10/061002063823.htm>]
• Low Birth-Weight Infants
▫ Although low birth weight infants make up only 14% of all births, they account for
60-80% of neonatal death.
[Science Daily. Oct. 5, 2006. “New Study: Preterm Birth Causes One-Third Of All Infant Deaths.”
<http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/10/061002063823.htm>]
▫ This is mainly due to the increase in the ratio surface area to body mass.
Background
Case Studies (with cost)
Case Study Analysis
Project Goal
Anticipated Expenses
Why Incubators?
• Infants’ poor temperature regulation includes a larger surface
area, poor thermal insulation, a small amount of mass
(especially with a low birth weight) to act as a heat sink, and
an increased transepidermal water loss.
• Premature brain cannot provide adequate temperature
regulation.
[Dr. Van Hemel. HEBI-incubator.org]
• Studies have shown that creating an environment of ideal
temperature for infants increases the survival rate.
[Day, Richard L., et al. "BODY TEMPERATURE AND SURVIVAL OF PREMATURE INFANTS."
Pediatrics 34.2 (1964): 171-81. ]
Background
Case Studies (with cost)
Case Study Analysis
Project Goal
Anticipated Expenses
Incubator Basics
• What does it do:
▫
▫
Keep a baby’s core temperatuer stable at 37 degrees Celsius
Additional features: humidify the air and add extra oxygen
• How does is work usually:
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
The mattress is usually enclosed by a clear plastic canopy
Temperature in the incubator is increased by a heater element below the mattress
Motor driven fan near the heater draws in fresh air through a filter and blows it past the
heater, warming the air.
Air is directed up through slots in to the area above the mattress and circulated around.
Air temperature is monitored by temperature sensor and adjusted by controlling the current
to the heater. Temperature can also be monitored using skin temperature probe.
Additional oxygen can be taken in by an oxygen inlet connection where it is mixed with the
fresh air through the filter.
Humidity can be increased by the use of water baths (passive) or by dripping water on a
heated element (active).
The baby is cared for through special access doors called arm ports.
Flinders University School of Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering.
http://www.fbe.org.au/Clin/BasicEquipment/InfantIncubator.htm
Background
Case Studies (with cost)
Case Study Analysis
Project Goal
Anticipated Expenses
Giraffe Incubator
•
•
Most recent product of GE Health Care
Advantages:
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
•
Precise temperature control & Minimizes
external stress such as light, sound and touch.
(Proportional Control and Cascade Control)
Built in scale
X-ray can be taken from the canopy
Built in rotating mattress & for pressure point
release (Patented Baby Susan)
Humidifier tested to avoid the spread of
pseudomonas aeruginosa. (common pathogen
linked to use of ambient relative humidity)
Disadvantages:
▫
▫
Needs professional personnel: Need to take a
class provided by GE in order to be qualified to
use the incubator. (cost: $3185)
Very expensive: $30,000-40,000
Vendor’s Site:
https://www2.gehealthcare.com/portal/site/usen/menuitem.e8b305b80b84c1b4d6354a1074c84130/?vgnextoid=470117398714
0210VgnVCM10000024dd1403RCRD&productid=3701173987140210VgnVCM10000024dd1403
Background
Case Studies (with cost)
Case Study Analysis
Project Goal
Anticipated Expenses
“Car Part” Incubator
• Advantages:
▫ Made from readily available parts
▫ Moderately cheap ($1,000)
▫ Glass is more “baby safe”
• Disadvantages
▫ Difficult to assemble
▫ New design with no study on
infection rates
▫ No sleeves for contact with the
infant
▫ No fine temperature control
Center for Integration of Medicine &
Innovative Technology (CIMIT)
Global Health Initiative and Design
that Matters project from 2008
Vendor’s Site: http://www.cimit.org/images/programs/GHI_Incubator_Handout.pdf
Background
Case Studies (with cost)
Case Study Analysis
Project Goal
Anticipated Expenses
“Car Part” Incubator
• Made from:
▫
▫
▫
▫
Exterior metal and windows
Heater and fan system
Battery
Lights and alarm system
• How it works:
▫ Automotive parts are capable of being repurposed to produce
heat, light, air convection, a power reservoir, as well as auditory
and visual alarms.
Vendor’s Site: http://www.cimit.org/images/programs/GHI_Incubator_Handout.pdf
Background
Case Studies (with cost)
Case Study Analysis
Project Goal
Anticipated Expenses
HEBI (Hemel Baby Incubator)
• Advantages:
First built in Uganda in 1968.
About 25 new incubators are
supplied each year, and the
basic model comes as a
construction kit. They are
manufactured with aid from
many sponsors.
▫ Relatively Cheap (about $600 USD)
▫ Reliable (oldest incubators are still operational
w/o any serious maintenance)
▫ Includes hygrometer for humidity control
▫ Excellent infection control
▫ Sleeves for unlimited contact
▫ Assembly takes only about an hour for an
untrained person
• Disadvantages:
▫
▫
▫
▫
Does not have a motor
No fine temperature control
Consumes 150 Watt/hr
Must be shipped by plane from the Amsterdam
airport
Vendor’s Site: http://www.hebi-incubator.org/templates/heb/global/index.php?lngid=2&sqlmode=1&fid=395
Background
Case Studies (with cost)
Case Study Analysis
Project Goal
Anticipated Expenses
HEBI (Hemel Baby Incubator)
• Made from:
▫
▫
▫
▫
Light bulbs
Container to hold water (for humidity)
Thermostat
Perspex and Wood
• How it works:
▫ Light bulbs heat air in the bottom part of the incubator. The air passes over a
container with evaporating water, so that its humidity increases. The warm, humid
air then flows upwards (chimney effect) into the baby compartment. A thermostat in
an exit hole compares the air temperature with the desired temperature. If it is too
high, the light bulbs will be switched off; if it is too low, the bulbs will be switched
on. The baby can be viewed through Perspex and it can be handled via two armholes
with sleeves. The Perspex front and top can be hinged back for full access.
Vendor’s Site: http://www.hebi-incubator.org/templates/heb/global/index.php?lngid=2&sqlmode=1&fid=395
Background
Case Studies (with cost)
Case Study Analysis
Project Goal
Kangaroo Mother Care
•
•
Started in Bogota, Columbia.
Advantages:
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
•
Allows interact with mother.
Allow early and exclusive breastfeeding
Psychological and mental support between
mother and baby.
Babies stabilize faster on skin to skin care
Easy to assemble
Free
Disadvantages:
▫
▫
▫
Increase risk of infectious disease due to
mother infant contact.
Cumbersome for the mother
Cannot get a full naked view of the baby
Site: http://www.kangaroomothercare.com/index.htm
Anticipated Expenses
Background
Case Studies (with cost)
Case Study Analysis
Project Goal
Anticipated Expenses
The Embrace
• Disadvantage: lack
of thermoregulation; poor
infant visibility.
Background
Case Studies (with cost)
Case Study Analysis
Project Goal
Anticipated Expenses
Comparison of Incubators
Specifications
Giraffe
Car Part
Incubator
HEBI
Kangaroo
Our
Project
Cheap
X




Preventing infections

X

X
TBD
Easy to use
X
X



Infant visibility



X

Accuracy of temperature
control

X
X


Low maintenance
X




• Functionality
• Availability
• Price
Background
Case Studies (with cost)
Case Study Analysis
Project Goal
Anticipated Expenses
Project Goal
• Design an incubator with the given specifications (given on the next slide)
using previous case studies of incubators, the EWH temperature control
alarm legacy project, and current research as examples.
• Depending on
time, research
and modify this
to make it more
cost and energy
efficient.
• If completed,
work to deploy
the incubator
to needed areas
for use.
Main compartment for
infant with front and
top panels of glass
24”
Humidifying Compartment
with Circulator Fans
24”
6”
36”
Background
Case Studies (with cost)
Case Study Analysis
Project Goal
Anticipated Expenses
Incubator Material
• Obtainable and readily available in third world
countries.
• Cheap
• Great insualtor
• Renewable
• Green
• Wood or plywood!
Letters from HEBI
Letters from HEBI
Background
Case Studies (with cost)
Case Study Analysis
Project Goal
Anticipated Expenses
Visibility
-Glass material can be easily
damaged and when broken,
can be very dangerous to
the baby.
-We want at material that’s
durable, flexible, safe, and
yet provides visibility.
-Plexiglass is the most
common incubator cover
material, however, it is
difficult to attain and
expensive in third world
countries.
-SOLUTION: Polyethylene
sheets
Background
Case Studies (with cost)
Case Study Analysis
Project Goal
Anticipated Expenses
Visibility continued
Ziploc bags are safe, durable bags
provided for keeping food fresh.
These bags are made of
polyethylene. Increasing the
thickness of the sheets increases
durability. It can provide visibility
while keeping the baby safe and
insulating heat.
PROBLEM: No UV protection and
minimal noise cancellation
SOLUTION: 3M HOME window
film provides 99% UV protection
and enhances noise reduction. This
same concept can be used for
polyethylene sheets as well as
windows.
Background
Case Studies (with cost)
Case Study Analysis
Project Goal
Anticipated Expenses
Humidifier & Heater
The concept of a humidifier is simply
providing water molecules in air.
Heating up a body of water does the
exact job with great reduction in cost.
-Water : Using any refillable pan to hold
a good amount of water.
-Heater: universal car heaters that can
be found any where at any price.
Background
Case Studies (with cost)
Case Study Analysis
Project Goal
Anticipated Expenses
VENTILATION
Because the material is made of wood, in
order to make sure that the moist in air
doesn’t damage the wood, the
humidifier compartment of the
incubator will be wrapped with
polyethylene film.
Also, continuous ventilation is provided
for both compartments using used PC
fans. With the advancement of
technology, computers are being
upgraded, used PC fans from broken
computers are extremely attainable and
cheap everywhere. In fact, we got our PC
fans for completely free.
Background
Case Studies (with cost)
Case Study Analysis
Project Goal
Anticipated Expenses
Temperature Control and
Relays
-Precise temperature sensing with
precision sensor LM335
-Adjust temperature range
-LCD display for current temperature,
maximum temperature and minimum
temperature.
-Relays for turning on and off devices
-External relay circuit for multiple relays
Background
Case Studies (with cost)
Case Study Analysis
Project Goal
Anticipated Expenses
Design Specifications for Consideration
• Low-cost
• Low power consumption
• Well-insulated
• Sterile
• Humid
• Allows for infant visibililty
• Allows for infant accessibility
• Easy monitoring and control of temperature
• Easy to build and use
• Accessibility of materials in third world countries
Background
Case Studies (with cost)
Case Study Analysis
Project Goal
Anticipated Expenses
Preliminary planned costs for Incubator (not
including the temperature control alarm)
Material
Component
Unit Price
Plywood
24” x 30” , ½” Thick Baltic Birch Plywood
http://www.amazon.com/Baltic-Birch-Plywood-thick-24/dp/B001DT3VSA
<$30
Polyethylene sheets
ULINE
$5-10
Power Supply
12V 16amp
$50
Heaters (1)
Ceramic Car Heater (http://www.amerimark.com/cgibin/amerimark/postkey_find.html?cm_mmc=channel-_-engine-_-media-_027278&keywords=027278&media=G60710&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=027278)
$9
PC Fans (2)
Used PC Fans
Free
Temperature Control
System
MX052 Digital Temperature Control
$39
Water Pan to Maintain
Humidity
Baking pan from any local store
Two for $3
Electrical Supplies (wire,
resistors, etc)
Wires and Relays
<$2
Misc (glue, etc)
Glue, nails, etc.
<$5
Total
<$140
Future of Alternative Infant Incubator
• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation: Grand
Challenges in Global Health
(http://www.grandchallenges.org/Explorations/
Pages/ApplicationInstructions.aspx)