mOm Incubator

MOm is a compact and low-cost solution that provides an enclosed microenvironment similar to a conventional incubator. This is important to ensure a higher degree of thermoregulation and minimize the risk of infection to the baby. Design specifications provided by designers are as follows:

– Compact for ease of storage and transport

– Lightweight – up to 90% less than the weight of a conventional incubator

– Easily cleaned materials and replaceable body intended to minimize infection risk

– Runs on mains power and utilizes a rechargeable battery

A video about the device is available on the mOm website.

Experts advise that critical design features include alarms as incubators’ main purpose is thermal regulation, so the newborn can bootstrap weight gain. (ie. nutrition given to the newborn need not be used to keep warm, but for growth/weight gain/making fat deposits – so thermal regulation can become self-sustaining). While hypothermia is the condition everyone aims to avoid, even the onset of cold stress is enough to cause damage to the weight gain process, hence early detection of this is necessary. So, frequent alarms that can be customized are necessary. Additionally, the accuracy of temperature display and control are essential. As a rule of thumb, the accepted levels are +/-0.1 deg C. Even to the untrained user, an indicator that the incubator is ON and functioning properly is important.

In incubators, dead-spaces in air circulation pathways are notorious for being culture beds for dangerous bacteria. Consequently, complete disinfection is essential. A related component is the air filter – ease of cleaning/replacement is important since it is the second favorite place for bacterial growth.

If there is a ‘skin temperature’ control mode, it needs to be specified. The implications of the thermistor (or baby temperature probe) needed to effectively monitor/display (and control in case of skin mode). The whole system breaks down if the thermistor fails and it is not an incubator anymore.

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The device must regulate temperature accurately and precisely to ensure infant safety, because it is essential to keep neonates at a constant temperature. No known safety requirements are specified for this device.