Collapsible incubator
A collapsible incubator for an infant, the collapsible incubator comprising: a flexible housing for containing the infant, the flexible housing being configurable between an expanded condition and a collapsed condition; a door within the flexible housing for infant access; a first end portion secured to a first end of the flexible housing; a second end portion secured to a second end of the flexible housing, said second end portion being configured to be substantially opposite said first end portion; and, at least one fastening means configured to releasably secure the first end portion to the second end portion when in the collapsed condition, whereby the first end portion and the second end portion are configured, in use, to support the flexible housing in the expanded condition, and to substantially contain the flexible housing therebetween in the collapsed condition.
1. A collapsible incubator for an infant, the collapsible incubator comprising:
a flexible housing for containing the infant, the flexible housing being configurable between an expanded condition and a collapsed condition;
a door within the flexible housing for infant access;
a first end portion secured to a first exterior portion of the flexible housing;
a second end portion secured to a second exterior portion of the flexible housing;
a carrying case; and
at least one fastening means configured to releasably secure the first end portion to the second end portion when in the collapsed condition, whereby the first end portion and the second end portion are configured, in use, to support at least a portion of the flexible housing in the expanded condition, and to substantially contain the flexible housing therebetween in the collapsed condition; wherein
the first end portion incorporates a mounting means for releasably securing a first end module to the exterior of the first end portion; wherein
the flexible housing incorporates at least one inflatable portion; and
the carrying case has a base portion comprising at least part of the first end module and a lid portion connected via a hinge to the base portion; and wherein
the first end module operably forms a bottom side of the incubator in the expanded configuration, and the flexible housing operably extends vertically from the first end module.
2. A collapsible incubator according to claim 1 , wherein the inflatable portion comprises a double-walled construction with an air space therebetween, said air space being fluidly connected to at least one air inlet.
3. A collapsible incubator according to claim 2 , wherein the inflatable portion comprises at least one inflatable rib configured to support the flexible housing in an expanded condition.
4. A collapsible incubator according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one air inlet incorporates an air flow control means.
5. A collapsible incubator according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible housing incorporates at least one access port for gaining access to the inside of the flexible housing.
6. A collapsible incubator according to claim 1 , wherein the second end portion incorporates a second mounting means for releasably securing a second end module to the second end portion.
7. A collapsible incubator according to claim 6 , wherein the collapsible incubator comprises at least one power means.
8. A collapsible incubator according to claim 1 , wherein the first end module comprises a heating means.
9. A collapsible incubator according to claim 8 , wherein the heating means is fluidly connected to the inside of the flexible housing through an access port within the first end portion.
10. A collapsible incubator according to claim 9 , wherein the flexible housing incorporates an air distribution means comprising at least one channel and a plurality of holes within said at least one channel.
11. A collapsible incubator according to claim 1 , comprising at least one sensing means, wherein the at least one sensing means is operatively connected to at least one alert means.
12. A collapsible incubator according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible housing comprises at least one transparent portion.
13. A collapsible incubator according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible housing incorporates at least one porthole.
14. A collapsible incubator according to claim 1 , wherein the collapsible incubator incorporates at least one light-emitting means configured to emit light inside the flexible housing.
15. A collapsible incubator according to claim 1 , wherein the collapsible incubator incorporates a water fill port.
16. A collapsible incubator according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible housing is provided with at least one telescopic rod, configured to support the flexible housing in an expanded condition, the telescopic rod being supported between the first end portion and the second end portion.
17. A collapsible incubator according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible housing incorporates an oxygen valve.