Incubator with a noise muffling mechanism and method thereof

Abstract

A noise-attenuating neonate incubator (NANI) comprising sound attenuating module (SAM) configured to decrease the ratio, (AmpRatt_i), of the sound's amplitude at a time, t_i, to a reference amplitude, to a critical amplitude ratio value of said sound measured over a predetermined time, At, (AmpRQVΔt) or less. The SAM comprises passive noise attenuating, active noise attenuating or both. A method for sound attenuating a neonate incubator, characterized by: (a) obtaining a noise-attenuating neonate incubator (NANI) comprising sound attenuating module (SAM) configured to decrease AmpRatt_i to AmpRQVΔt or less; (b) accommodating said neonate in said NANI; and, (c) attenuating said noise by said at least one SAM, thereby changing the sound signature.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention generally pertains to a medical device, preferably a neonate incubator, with a noise muffling mechanism and to method thereof.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The medical environment is characterized by many noise generating elements. The major benefits of making a quiet medical product are that soothing sounds, or absence thereof, lead to greater patient acceptance, patient compliance and, and reduces health risks for both the patient and the medical / technical personal. Further, a quiet medical environment lowers the disturbances to the medical staff, leading to less mistakes in caregiving.[0003]The effect on the patient from the noisy surroundings can range from disturbing to harmful depending on the noise generating device. Patients may experience discomfort, anxiety, and temporary to permanent hearing damage. Acoustic noise may pose a particular problem to specific patient groups. For example, patients with psychiatric disorders ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a new incubator for neonates that is designed to reduce the amount of sound that affects their health. The incubator achieves this by using a special module that breaks down the sound in a way that reduces its impact. The incubator is designed to be stable, safe, and easy to use. Additionally, the incubator is designed to meet industry standards for electromagnetic compatibility. The technical effects of this invention include improved sound quality for neonates, reduced noise levels in the incubator, and improved safety for both the incubator users and patients.

Problems solved by technology

The effect on the patient from the noisy surroundings can range from disturbing to harmful depending on the noise generating device.

Patients may experience discomfort, anxiety, and temporary to permanent hearing damage.

Acoustic noise may pose a particular problem to specific patient groups.

For example, patients with psychiatric disorders may become confused or suffer from increased anxiety because of exposure to loud noise.

Sedated patients may experience discomfort in association with high noise levels.

The sound levels, especially at low frequencies, within a modern incubator may reach levels that are likely to be harmful to the developing newborn.

Much of the noise is at low frequencies and thus difficult to reduce by conventional means.

The noise in an incubator can result for example from the circulation of air, and / or engines, pumps, and ventilators supporting various life supporting mechanisms.

In addition, various noise types corrupts infants analyzing devices, such as Electrocardiography (ECG).

The result is a rapid-fire clicking noise, which is amplified by the enclosed space in which the patient lies.

Acoustic noise produced by these subsidiary systems is considerably less than that caused by gradient magnetic fields, but contributes to the overall discomfort of the patient.

RF hearing is another noise generated by the magnetic resonance device during scanning.

Various types of acoustic noise are produced during the operation of an MR system.

Problems associated with acoustic noise for patients and healthcare professionals include annoyance, verbal communication difficulties, heightened anxiety, temporary hearing loss and, also, the potential for permanent hearing impairment.

These passive means of noise protection may have the limitation of hampering verbal communication with patients during the operation of the MR system.

Additionally, standard earplugs are often too large for the ear canal of adolescents and infants Importantly, passive noise control devices provide non-uniform noise attenuation over the hearing range.

While high frequencies may be well attenuated, attenuation is often poor at low frequencies.

This is problematic because, for certain pulse sequences, the low frequency range is where the peak MR imaging-related acoustic noise is generated.

These mechanisms require adaptation to each different noise generating device and pose another device to be installed over the patient, in an already complicated and tensioned environment.

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