Temperature and Heater Responses during Transition between Radiant and Incubator Thermal Environment in Newborn Preterm Lambs

Abstract

Objective: Although both incubators and radiant warmer beds can provide thermal support to infants in the neonatal intensive care unit, the transition between devices can be a stressful event. The goal of this study was to evaluate a new device that combines these methods of warming and converts between them without requiring physical movement of the infant. Study Design: Twin preterm lambs received thermal support from a radiant warmer bed and an incubator (control), or from the Versalet^TM 7700 Care Center (treatment) in the warmer and incubator configurations. Temperature of each lamb, as well as device heater power, were monitored every 2 min before, during, and after the transition. Physiological parameters were monitored every 15 min. Results: There was a significant difference in response time between closed-open and open-closed conditions for both groups. More adverse events occurred in the control group during transfers. There were no differences in temperatures or physiological variables during transitions in either group. Conclusions: These data suggest the Versalet provides similar thermal stability to traditional devices, with fewer adverse events associated with the lack of physical movement between warming configurations. The impact of this device on the care of the preterm neonate will be evaluated in a clinical trial.

Liquid Incubator with Perfluorochemicals for Extremely Premature Infants

“…Further investigations regarding incubator temperature stability, rapid changes (e.g. on opening and closing the incubator door) in test response time, overshoot and long-term stability as reported by Touch et al [11] , and clinical interventions (phototherapy, thoracic drains, blood sampling, continuous tc-bloodgas monitoring and handling of hygiene) are required before this method can be put into clinical use in premature human infants. However, the results of the present study suggested the possibility of using a liquid incubator to control the temperature of premature infants.…”

Thermal responses of the newborn pig: In vivo comparison of two prototype hybrid systems to standard care neonatal warming

“…Modern neonatal incubators offer the patient a microprocessor controlled heated and humidified environment and more advanced options such as heliox [2]. Despite advances in design, disruptions in the integrity of the internal environment of the incubator could threaten the fragile infant [3][4][5].…”