Diagnosis of Noise Inside Neonatal Incubators under Free-Field Conditions

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the noise levels in current incubator models and a prototype designed to improve acoustic comfort in neonatal incubators.Methods The study conducted tests on three different incubator models and a prototype called "Neonatal Incubator Acoustic Comfort Class (NICA+)." The tests measured both internal and external sound pressure levels in laboratory conditions. The prototype was developed through collaboration between the Acoustic Engineering laboratory, the robotics/electronics group, and the Industrial Design research group at the Higher School of Engineering, University of Cádiz.Conclusion The results obtained from the prototype (NICA+) show the effectiveness of the design proposal in improving acoustic comfort in neonatal incubators. The data show that the noise levels generated by the prototype, under normal operating conditions, are significantly lower than international recommendations.

show abstract

Silent Neonatal Incubators, Prototype Nica+

Hernández-Molina,

Puyana-Romero,

Beira-Jiménez

et al. 2024

Acoustics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the noise levels in current incubator models and a prototype designed to improve acoustic comfort in neonatal incubators. Methods: Tests were carried out on three different models of incubators and a prototype called Neonatal Incubator Acoustic Comfort Class (NICA). The tests measured both internal and external sound pressure levels under laboratory conditions. The noise index has been taken as the A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level (LAeq,T) for a time interval of 1 min. Results: The results obtained show variations between the different models of incubators, although, overall, they are high values (around 56/60 dBA). The results prove that premature newborns under normal conditions of using these incubators are exposed to noise levels above international recommendations. The new incubator design minimizes noise generation and generates noise levels lower than international recommendations. Conclusions: The results obtained from the prototype (NICA+) show the effectiveness of the proposed design in improving acoustic comfort in neonatal incubators. The data show that the noise levels generated by the prototype under normal operating conditions are significantly lower than international recommendations.

show abstract

Diagnosis of Noise Inside Neonatal Incubators under Free-Field Conditions

Cited by 3 publications

References 31 publications

Use of a neural controller and electrochromic glazing in incubators for neonates for adaptive simulation of day/night changes

Use of a neural controller and electrochromic glazing in incubators for neonates for adaptive simulation of day/night changes

Silent Neonatal Incubators, Prototype NICA+

Silent Neonatal Incubators, Prototype Nica+

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About