• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.33-37
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• 2006

In this paper, we present a centralized monitoring system for infant incubator using Bluetooth. Conventional monitoring systems for incubators require large space and wire connection, which causes the spatial restrictions. To overcome this disadvantage, centralized monitoring system is proposed for infant incubators using Bluetooth. The implemented system consists mainly of transmission systems and receiver systems. There are temperature sensors, humidity sensors, ECG measurement units and Bluetooth modules in the transmission systems. For temperature, humidity and ECG data, the transmission systems acquire them from the measuring modules in the incubator and transmits the signals using Bluetooth. In the receiver system, users can see the status of the infant by accessing the central monitoring host computer. That is, one can monitor the information on the temperature and the humidity in the incubator and Infant's ECG without dependence to a conventional bulky system. Also, the system manager in the receiver system can maintain centralized monitoring of the situations in all incubators and infant. The developed system will be useful in remote diagnosis of infant incubator In various environments.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 1991

A micro- computer system has been designed to evaluate the performance of commercial infant incubator and to develope the temperature controller of new incubator. The measure- ment system used a hybrid of analog electronics for amplification, integration, and switches and micro-computer for data storage, data display, and control of relay. This approach has been applied to measure the warm-up time, temperature stability, open/close door and port- holes, and temperature distribution on the mattress. The micro-computer provides on-line ac cess of multi-point temperature data, simplifies the analog part of the circuit and gives the flexibility.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1325-1330
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• 2020

New-born babies who require special attention medically are admitted often to incubator. Incubators are well equipped to fulfill take care of infants, but they have to hospital and so expensive. This paper proposes a smart incubator that can solve the problem of convenience and cost aspect of these incubators. Developed incubator enables near-field monitoring using Arduino Uno as the main control device and Bluetooth communication. The environment in the incubator measures temperature and humidity using a DHT22 sensor and the sound using a P5510 microphone. If the temperature and humidity data set by the user are lower or higher than the reference value, it is designed to operate the heating pad using the controller or turn on the fan to allow air circulation. The measured values in the incubator are displayed in real time on the user's smartphone monitoring screen and are programmed using app inventor. Developed incubators can help take care of infants at low cost in the home.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.5-17
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the current humidification state of incubator, the factors disturbing high humidification and to establish the evidence-based nursing protocol to maintain it. Methods: The subjects were 15 infants who were born with extremely low birth weight (ELBW) from May to October, 2007, and data were collected during the first 3 days and analyzed with SPSS WIN program. Results: The goal of humidity level in incubator was 95%, but mean humidity levels were 89.7%(1st day), 91.9%(2nd day), and 91.8%(3rd day)(p<0.001). The disturbing factors were opening frequency and duration of incubator door and window by caregivers. The handling of infants by nurses and doctors happened more frequently during the first day. Especially, nurses handled them more often than others, but the duration of opening during the invasive procedures by doctors was longer than others. The opening frequency had negative correlation with duration(r=-.779, p<.01). Conclusion: So the evidence-based protocol for maintaining high humidity in incubator for ELBW infants during the first 3 days and next 2 days was made. Furthermore we need to educate NICU nurses and doctors about minimal handling.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1992 no.11
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• pp.83-85
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• 1992

In this paper, the Infant Incubator Consisting of amp lifer, A/D Convert, I/O Expand, Watchdog Timer, Alarm Circuit. Display, and mirco-Computer part was developed. The care of Premature new borns of the required that they be in an environment in which temperature is elevaled and Controlled, because they are unable to regulated their own temperature. The central and processing methods based on micro-processor employ the flexibility, and economy over other conventional system. The system characteristic were as follows 1) system based on micro-processor. 2) Easy-to read, touch-Operate control panel all displays and indicators 3) System flexibility.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2001

압력기반의 유한체적법과 k-$\varepsilon$난류모델을 이용하여 신생아 보육기 내의 삼차원 정상난류유동해석과 대류현상에 의한 열전달을 해석하였다. 보육기 내의 주된 공기유동은 입구에서 유입된 공기가 보육기 위쪽을 지나 출구로 이동하며 각진 구석에서 작은 와류들이 관찰되었다. 보육기의 입구부를 제외한 대부분에서의 유속은 0.1m/s 이하로 나타났으며, 신생아의 다리부분에서의 속도가 머리부분보다 다소 크게 관찰되었다. 입구쪽의 온도가 출구쪽의 온도보다 1~2$^{\circ}C$ 높게 나타났으며 속도 크기가 큰 다리부분에서의 온도가 머리 또는 목부분보다 다소 낮았다. 보육기 내의 온도변화는 약3~4$^{\circ}C$로 다소 크게 나타났는데 이는 입구에서 유입된 공기가 상벽과 직각으로 만나며, 보육기 외벽의 각진 구석부분에 의한 영향으로 생각된다. 따라서 입구속도를 적절히 줄이거나 유선형의 유동을 갖도록 설계하여 열손실을 최소화한다면 보다 효율적인 보육기가 될 것으로 생각된다.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.296-308
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the noise level and frequency experienced by premature infants receiving incubator care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: The participants were 20 premature infants receiving incubator care in the NICU of a university hospital in Daejeon Metropolitan city. The noise level was measured using a professional sound-level meter (ET-958, FLUS, Shenzhen, China) based on a noise classification table developed by the author. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, the t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation coefficients using SPSS for Windows version 22.0. Results: The average noise level experienced by premature infants receiving incubator care in the NICU was 51.25 dB (range: 45.0~81.7 dB). The frequency of noises was highest for factors related to nursing activities (40.3%), followed by human factors (29.1%), machine alarm sounds (20.1%), incubator operation (6.6%), and internal environmental factors (3.9%). Conclusion: According to the above results, the noise level experienced by premature infants receiving incubator care in the NICU exceeded the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an interventional program to reduce noise in the NICU, and to conduct follow-up studies to verify its effectiveness.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.1-6
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• 2019

Preterm children require a controlled environment that is as close as possible to that inside the womb. Incubators are well equipped to fulfill this requirement; however, they are cumbersome and expensive, thereby restricting their portability and availability in less developed and rural areas. This research comprises the development and system validation of a portable incubator. The system consists of a collapsible baby enclosure that can be stowed inside the system base when not in use. The enclosure is made from acrylic such that it is easy to clean and allows unhindered visual observation of the occupant while being robust enough to withstand transit conditions. The system can be powered either by a mains supply or a 12-VDC automobile power supply. Additionally, it has an onboard battery to ensure a continuous supply during transit. A Peltier plate controlled using a microcontroller ensures the desired enclosure temperature irrespective of the ambient temperature. Built-in sensor probes can measure the skin temperature, pulse rate, blood oxygenation level, and ECG of the infant and display them on the system screen. The system function is validated by testing its peak power consumption and the heating and cooling performances of the environment control system.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.159-176
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• 1998

In effort to conduct comparative study on the caregiving environment of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(NICU) in both U. S and Korea, this study was been conducted first in the U.S. Purpose : The purpose of this study is to identify the physical environment and direct caregiving practices to lowbirth weight infants in NICU in the US. It also aims to examine the NICU outcome status and behavioral reponses of lowbirth weight infants. Methods : A study design using descriptive and inferential statistics was been conducted through an observational, field method. A sample of 15 preform infants admitted to NICU were recruited for the study. The subjects were those with birth weight between 1,000 gm to 1,500 gm, born at the gestation period of 27 to 33 weeks, and without any chromosomal or other genetic anomalies, major congenital infections, or maternal illness. Thirty minutes observation(three times of ten minutes of continuous observation)of the infant's behavior and physiological status, and an four-hour observation of the physical environment and direct care giving procedures were been conducted on the 3rd and 10th day after birth, and on the day of discharge from the NICU or at 34weeks postconception. The data to be collected were in four areas : the demograghic characteristics of the infants, the physical environment and care giving procedures, the frequency of the infant's designated behavior and physiological response, and NICU outcome variables. A descriptive analysis and Kruskal-Wallis, Pearson r were been applied according to variable characteristics. Results : 1. Mother's mean age was 29.47. The sample consisted of 6 males and 9 females. Mean gestational ages were 29.17 weeks. Mean birth weight was 1236.33g. Mean Apgar scores at one minute were 6.6, and 7.8 at five minutes. 2. The location for the incubator was in the distance from the light, X-ray screens and nursing station, in proximity to side-lamp, telephone and faucet on the third day after birth. The location for the incubator was in the distance from the light and radio on the tenth day and in proximity to nursing station on the day of dischage from the NICU or at 34weeks postconception. 3. Nesting was the most applying aids to the infants. And foot roll, shielding and plastic frame were frequently using by nurses for facilitating well modulated restful posture. 4. There were statistically significant changes in the patterns of physical environment included locating the infant's incubator and bedding, specific aids to self regulation on the 3rd and 10th day after birth, and on the day of discharge from the NICU or at 34weeks postconception. 5. Statistically significant changes were not appeared in the patterns of direct caregiving procedure to the infants included stress inducing or reducing manipulations on the 3rd and 10th day after birth, and on the day of discharge from the NICU or at 34weeks postconception. 6. The stress response of the infants in NICU were significantly reduced as the infants grow older. 7. There were not statistically significant correlation between the physical envronment and the stress responses of the infants in NICU. 8. There were statistically significant correlation between the direct caregiving procedure to the infants and the stress response of the infants in NICU in the second and third observation on the day three. 9. Average weight gain per day from birth to discharge was 38.73g, number of days in the hospital was 42.60, number of days before bottle feeding was 3.6. Postconception age starting bottle feed ing was 31/sup +5/ weeks. Number of days on mechanical ventilator was average 7.64, 11.42 was an average number of days of oxygen need. Conclusion : It, thus, appears that to minimize the sensorymotor stimulation for the low birthweight preterm infant in NICU, manipulation of care giving practices to the babies whatever the stress inducing or reducing procedures, have to be limited in the immediate early stage after birth. And it needed to be reexamine to identify the appropriate and specific physical environment and the patterns of direct caregiving to the low birthweight preform infant as the infants grow older in NICU.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.781-789
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• 2007

Purpose: The study was conducted to investigate the skin hydration level in various body sites and identify the influencing factors in neonates. Methods: An exploratory comparison study was designed to measure the stratum corneum hydration, using a National DM-R2 on the forehead, abdomen, buttocks, and the back of the hands and feet of 198 neonates including 92 premature infants. Results: The results showed 32.7%-36.5% of stratum corneum hydration for all sites. Premature infants revealed a higher hydration level on the peripheral sites (dorsal hand and feet) than those of the full-term infants, possibly resulting from therapeutic regimens including an incubator or radiant warmer. Infants in an incubator showed a higher hydration level than those in radiant warmers, suggesting more attention to fluid management for infants in the open environment. In addition, all stratum corneum hydration measurements except one, from the forehead, showed a positive correlation with postnatal age in full-term infants while showing no relation to any measurements in premature infants. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the very low skin hydration levels in hospitalized neonates, particularly in premature neonates with more susceptible skin hydration instability despite therapeutic interventions for fluid balance. More vigilant fluid management is imperative in neonates, particularly those in the open environment.