Innovative Infant Incubator Protects Most Vulnerable
By HospiMedica International staff writers Posted on 28 Nov 2018 |
Image: The AmnioBed amniotic neonatal incubator system (Photo courtesy of Amnion Life).
A novel incubator system for neonatal intensive care units (nICUs) incorporates synthetic amniotic fluid in a self-regulating, sterile, submersion bath.
The Amnion Life (Newport, CA, USA) AmnioBed is a neonatal incubator system that features an amniotic fluid submersion bath that simulates the mother's womb, providing a potentially ideal environment to nurture premature infants. The synthetic amniotic fluid is produced using water purified through six medical grade filters, eliminating all harmful substances, bacteria, and viruses. The purified water is then dosed with electrolyte and minerals (found naturally in amniotic fluid) via a dosing pump to create sterile, synthetic amniotic fluid.
Features include a built-in system for temperature and osmolality that warms the water to the proper temperature; based on the age of the infant, operators have the option to choose the level of osmolality that they want. Sensors placed under the infant's chin ensure fluid in the bath never goes above the chin level, and fluid clarity sensors beneath the pelvic area detect stool defecated by the infant, leading to automatic flushing and replacement with fresh fluid. The fluid in the bath is also continuously circulated through an ultraviolet (UV) filter and heat source to maintain sterility and temperature.
In addition, the AmnioBed includes an infant seat with a harness that straps the infant's chest and pelvis in place, so the infant cannot accidentally get fully submerged; a monitoring cap that covers most of the scalp that incorporates a skin temperature sensor, an O2 level monitoring sensor, and several openings over the fontanelles for ultrasound probe placement; and another monitor for the mother which provides direct audio/video feedback from inside the incubator to a proprietary app, so the mother can keep in constant contact with the infant.
“The AmnioBed has the potential to reduce the length of stay for infants and to improve the rate of weight gain and growth in the NICU, thus saving significant direct costs of short and long-term visits, in addition to providing infants with improved health and comfort,” said Amir Fassihi, MD, founder and CEO of Amnion Life. “The AmnioBed will prove to be advantageous over radiant warmer beds and convection warmed incubators in offering improved thermoregulation, hydration, and skin protection, helping to reduce complications and save lives, while also reducing costs.”
Amniotic fluid, generated by maternal plasma, is a protective liquid contained in the amniotic sac that serves both as a cushion for the growing fetus and as a means to facilitate the exchange of nutrients, water, and biochemical products between mother and fetus. When fetal kidneys begin to function in about week 16, fetal urine also contributes to the fluid. Amniotic fluid initially contains mainly water and electrolytes, but by about the 12-14th week the liquid also contains proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and urea, all of which aid in the growth of the fetus.
Related Links:
Amnion Life
The Amnion Life (Newport, CA, USA) AmnioBed is a neonatal incubator system that features an amniotic fluid submersion bath that simulates the mother's womb, providing a potentially ideal environment to nurture premature infants. The synthetic amniotic fluid is produced using water purified through six medical grade filters, eliminating all harmful substances, bacteria, and viruses. The purified water is then dosed with electrolyte and minerals (found naturally in amniotic fluid) via a dosing pump to create sterile, synthetic amniotic fluid.
Features include a built-in system for temperature and osmolality that warms the water to the proper temperature; based on the age of the infant, operators have the option to choose the level of osmolality that they want. Sensors placed under the infant's chin ensure fluid in the bath never goes above the chin level, and fluid clarity sensors beneath the pelvic area detect stool defecated by the infant, leading to automatic flushing and replacement with fresh fluid. The fluid in the bath is also continuously circulated through an ultraviolet (UV) filter and heat source to maintain sterility and temperature.
In addition, the AmnioBed includes an infant seat with a harness that straps the infant's chest and pelvis in place, so the infant cannot accidentally get fully submerged; a monitoring cap that covers most of the scalp that incorporates a skin temperature sensor, an O2 level monitoring sensor, and several openings over the fontanelles for ultrasound probe placement; and another monitor for the mother which provides direct audio/video feedback from inside the incubator to a proprietary app, so the mother can keep in constant contact with the infant.
“The AmnioBed has the potential to reduce the length of stay for infants and to improve the rate of weight gain and growth in the NICU, thus saving significant direct costs of short and long-term visits, in addition to providing infants with improved health and comfort,” said Amir Fassihi, MD, founder and CEO of Amnion Life. “The AmnioBed will prove to be advantageous over radiant warmer beds and convection warmed incubators in offering improved thermoregulation, hydration, and skin protection, helping to reduce complications and save lives, while also reducing costs.”
Amniotic fluid, generated by maternal plasma, is a protective liquid contained in the amniotic sac that serves both as a cushion for the growing fetus and as a means to facilitate the exchange of nutrients, water, and biochemical products between mother and fetus. When fetal kidneys begin to function in about week 16, fetal urine also contributes to the fluid. Amniotic fluid initially contains mainly water and electrolytes, but by about the 12-14th week the liquid also contains proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and urea, all of which aid in the growth of the fetus.
Related Links:
Amnion Life
Latest Critical Care News
- Wheeze-Counting Wearable Device Monitors Patient's Breathing In Real Time
- Wearable Multiplex Biosensors Could Revolutionize COPD Management
- New Low-Energy Defibrillation Method Controls Cardiac Arrhythmias
- New Machine Learning Models Help Predict Heart Disease Risk in Women
- Deep-Learning Model Predicts Arrhythmia 30 Minutes before Onset
- Breakthrough Technology Combines Detection and Treatment of Nerve-Related Disorders in Single Procedure
- Plasma Irradiation Promotes Faster Bone Healing
- New Device Treats Acute Kidney Injury from Sepsis
- Study Confirms Safety of DCB-Only Strategy for Treating De Novo Left Main Coronary Artery Disease
- Revascularization Improves Quality of Life for Patients with Chronic Limb Threatening Ischemia
- AI-Driven Prediction Models Accurately Predict Critical Care Patient Deterioration
- Preventive PCI for High-Risk Coronary Plaques Reduces Cardiac Events
- AI Diagnostic Tool Guides Rapid Diagnosis and Prediction of Sepsis
- World's First AI-Powered Sepsis Alert System Detects Sepsis in One Minute
- Smartphone Magnetometer Uses Magnetized Hydrogel to Measure Biomarkers for Disease Diagnosis
- New Technology to Revolutionize Valvular Heart Disease Care