Abstract:
A thermotherapy device, in particular for babies, has a lying surface limited by longitudinal sides, a head side and a foot side. The thermotherapy device ensures a simple and safe access of a new-born without producing a detrimental psychological effect on parents. For this purpose, an upwardly oriented feeding device for supplying a hot and humid air is advantageously embodied in three parts, namely, a lateral feed pipe in each longitudinal part and/or a feed pipe in each foot side, a suction device for sucking supplied air is arranged above the lying surface, the suction device is arranged above the head side, in particular above the head area of the lying surface in such a way that the supplied air is sucked only above said head side and/or the head area.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to a thermotherapy device, especially for infants, with a horizontal surface which is bordered by lengthwise sides, a head side and a foot side. Furthermore, this invention relates to a process for thermotherapy using such a thermotherapy device. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Thermotherapy devices of the initially mentioned type are generally used in the gynecological departments of hospitals for newborns. Existing thermotherapy devices (incubators) have closed, climate-controlled compartments in which a hatch must be opened first to reach the newborn. When a newborn is removed from such a thermotherapy device, it is always necessary to proceed very carefully to avoid injuring the newborn. Another disadvantage of existing incubators is the psychological effect these compartments have on the parents of the newborn. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The object of this invention is therefore to make available a thermotherapy device of the initially mentioned type in which the above described disadvantages do not occur. 
         [0006]    This object is achieved in a thermotherapy device of the initially named type in which there is a, preferably, three-sided supply means for an upwardly directed supply of warm moist air with one side supply being in the area of each of the lengthwise sides and/or a foot supply in the area of the foot side, in which there is an exhaust means for exhausting the supplied air in the horizontal surface, the exhaust means being located above the head side, especially above the head area of the horizontal surface which borders the head side, and the supplied air being exhausted simply above the head side and/or the head area. 
         [0007]    According to the process intended to achieve this object, warm moist air is blown out and up, preferably solely from the lengthwise sides and/or the foot side, wherein the supplied air is taken from the top, wherein a given microclimate is formed in the area above the horizontal surface and wherein the air is exhausted simply above the head side and/or a head area which borders the head side. 
         [0008]    The configuration in accordance with the invention yields a thermotherapy device in a so-called open version. The microclimate prevailing in the incubator with parameters which are defined, for example, in DIN EN 60601-2-19, is stabilized and bounded by air flows, in contrast to the prior art. The desired microclimate forms within the space bordered by the supplied air jets which are directed upward. The configuration in accordance with the invention has the major advantage that the infant located on a horizontal surface can be quickly and easily accessed. Furthermore, it is possible for the parents of the newborn to directly view and touch him without first having to open a hatch, as is the case in the thermotherapy devices known from the prior art. The adverse psychological effect on the parents of the newborn, as occurs in closed incubators, does not arise in the invention. 
         [0009]    Moreover, in conjunction with this invention, it has been established that a microclimate which has been stabilized by flow engineering can be implemented above the horizontal surface by there being simply a three-sided air flow with simultaneous intake above the head side. Therefore, in the region of the head side, air is not supplied; this ultimately reduces the energy demands of the thermotherapy device in accordance with the invention since less inlet air is necessary. However, the lack of air supply in the region of the head side also results in a draft being prevented this region. In any case, it goes without saying that it is also fundamentally possible to provide an air supply on the head side if this is considered necessary, even if the three-sided flow guidance is preferred. 
         [0010]    Since there is no inlet air supply on the head side, to prevent the effect of adverse cross flows which can arise due the superimposed room air flows, it is a good idea for there to be a front wall on the head side which extends, preferably, at least essentially over the length of the head side. The front wall thus has a bulkheading action and can, moreover, perform a retaining function for the exhaust means so that the exhaust means is attached to the front wall, and thus, can at least partially extend over the horizontal surface. 
         [0011]    In order to obtain a closed air curtain which retains the microclimate, it is advantageous for the side guides to extend at least essentially over the full length of the lengthwise sides. The same also applies to the foot supply. Furthermore, the exhaust means should extend at least essentially over the full length of head side in order to ensure an acquisition region that is as large as possible. 
         [0012]    In order to limit access to the horizontal surface by the exhaust means or the base body of the exhaust means as little as possible, it is recommended that the exhaust means extend over the horizontal surface from the head side to over an amount of a maximum ⅔ of the length of the horizontal surface. Here, it goes without saying that, according to this feature, there should fundamentally be an overhang and any value up to an amount of a maximum ⅔ of the length of the horizontal surface is possible, without expressed enumeration of discrete values being necessary. 
         [0013]    Research has shown that the outflow direction of the laterally supplied air is dependent on the climatic conditions of the ambient air and the microclimate of the thermotherapy device to be established. Fundamentally, the angle should be larger as the density differences of the out-flowing air to the ambient air become larger. In the extreme case, this can even be 90°. This can lead to different embodiments because, for example, the environment in European hospitals in summer is climate-controlled to roughly 26° C. (78.8° F.), while in the United States, a 20° C. (68° F.) room temperature is maintained. However, basically, it is recommended that the inflow directions of the side supplies and the foot supply have an angle between 10° and 60° with respect to vertical. These slanted inlet air flows yield a type of “flow tent” under which the desired microclimate forms. This “flow tent” can be very small since it is intended for infants. Accordingly, it is recommended that the exhaust means be located a very small distance above the horizontal surface, preferably with a distance which is less than the width of the horizontal surface. This arrangement has the additional advantage that only relative short air curtains need be formed; this is easily and economically possible, with low flow velocities. In any case flow velocities of the supplied air of less than 15 cm/s, preferably of less than 8 to 10 cm/s, can be maintained; here, any flow velocity within a given range being possible without it needing to be specifically mentioned. 
         [0014]    In order to be able to easily adapt the thermotherapy device in accordance with the invention to certain conditions of use, it is recommended that the outflow directions of the side and foot supply be adjustable, preferably in two directions which run perpendicular to one another or around two axes of rotation which run perpendicular to one another. Adjustment can be performed, on the one hand, via coupling the individual guides to the bed base body or a peripheral frame so that it is possible to adjust the individual guides relative to the horizontal surface. Furthermore, adjustment can take place alternatively or additionally by adjustable louvers in the area of the outflow openings of the inlet air guides. In order also to be able to match the exhaust means to altered conditions, it is recommended that the exhaust means be vertically adjustable and/or that the exhaust means be adjustable preferably around two axes of rotation which are arranged perpendicular to one another. 
         [0015]    Fundamentally, the aforementioned oblique outflow direction can also be implemented by the side supplies and/or the foot supplies being integrated in a frame surrounding the horizontal surface that is inclined relative to the horizontal surface. The inclined frame with supplies then has not only flow engineering importance, but is also used to protect the infant located on the horizontal surface from falling down. Moreover, it goes without saying that, on the side supply and on the foot supply, there can be protective walls regardless of whether the individual supplies are arranged inclined or not. The protective walls should be detachably connectable to the respective feed, preferably should be lockable into corresponding slots. Furthermore, the protective walls can be arranged at an angle relative to vertical so that they can acquire a flow-guiding function. 
         [0016]    In order to increase the degree of acquisition of the supplied air by the exhaust means, there can be a flap or guide flap on the exhaust means. Here, it is advantageous if the flap is pivotally mounted. Thus, it can be moved selectively into a lower position in which the flap develops a flow-guiding action or into an upper position in which unhampered access to the horizontal surface is ensured. The flap should extend at least in areas over the length of the head side and at least in areas over the length of the horizontal surface which the base body of the exhaust means overhangs to ensure a favorable flow-guiding action in the lower position. Here, it can be advantageous if the flap, in the lower position, extends both over the entire width of the head side or the foot side as well as over the entire length of the horizontal surfaces overhung by the base body of the exhaust means. In this case, the space requirement for pivoting of the flap is, however, correspondingly greater. In order to preclude accidentally falling down and the associated danger potential, the flap can be supported such that it remains in almost any position between the lower and the upper position without separate manual attachment. In addition to the flow-guiding function, the flap can be used to protect an infant located on the horizontal surface against unwanted effects from the outside. Basically, it is preferred that the flap is made from a transparent plastic at least in areas. It goes without saying that, fundamentally, the flap can also be provided elsewhere on the thermotherapy device. It is also possible to provide a retractable, insertable or comparable device instead of a pivoting flap. 
         [0017]    Favorable flow-engineering effects for setting of the desired microclimate can otherwise be achieved in that the supplied air emerges, not parallel, but in different directions, from the exit openings of a supply. In order to produce such a diverging flow profile, the exit openings can be aligned in different directions. In this way, for example, a radial outflow can be achieved. Alternatively or additionally to the aforementioned alignment of the exit openings, there can also be a guide device with which the desired flow profile of the air emerging from the supply can be adjusted. This can be recommended if the guide device has flow-guiding louvers or the like. 
         [0018]    As already initially mentioned, in conjunction with a thermotherapy device, it is necessary to make available a certain microclimate. To maintain the microclimate, the supplied air should have a temperature between 37° C. (98.6° F.) and 41° C. (105.8° F.), preferably roughly 39° C. (102.2° F.). The relative humidity should be between 80% and 90%, and preferably, roughly 85%, as is established in DIN EN 60601-2-19. So that energy use is as low as possible, for operation of the device in accordance with the invention, the intake air should be filtered and/or thermodynamically conditioned and supplied again to the supply means. Structurally in this connection, there is a means for conditioning the air which is coupled to the exhaust means and which preferably has a filter means, a humidifying means and a heating means. In this connection, it is recommended that the means for conditioning the air be made such that the temperature and/or the humidity of the air can be adjusted. Furthermore, the feed rate of the air should be adjustable in order to consider the effect of cross flows which can arise by superimposed room air flows. This is especially important in spaces in which climate-control systems have been installed. 
         [0019]    Furthermore, there should be at least one connection possibility for feed of other gases. In this way, the invention makes it possible to enrich the inlet air with (medical) gases such as, for example, oxygen in order to advantageously adjust the composition of the respired air in the region of the “flow tent” with respect to medical aspects. 
         [0020]    The exhaust or acquisition means used to intake the rising thermal air flow should have a high degree of acquisition in order to be able to capture and re-use portions of the supplied air and the energy contained therein which are as large as possible. Therefore, it is recommended that a swirl hood be used as the exhaust means. Preferably, in this connection, it is otherwise such that the front wall on the head side is part of the swirl hood. The front wall thus passes into the swirl hood and has a flow-guiding action. 
         [0021]    Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the thermotherapy device in accordance with the invention, 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of the thermotherapy device from  FIG. 1 , 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view of the thermotherapy device from  FIG. 1  taken along line III-III  FIG. 2 , 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of the thermotherapy device from  FIG. 1  taken along line IV-IV in  FIG. 2 , 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of the thermotherapy device in accordance with the invention in a view corresponding to that of  FIG. 3 , 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is cross-sectional view of the thermotherapy device of  FIG. 5  in a view corresponding to that of  FIG. 4 , 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a third preferred embodiment of the thermotherapy device in accordance with the invention in a view corresponding to that of  FIG. 4 , 
           [0029]      FIGS. 8   a  &amp;  8   b  are cross-sectional views of two preferred side supplies, 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the thermotherapy device in accordance with the invention in a view corresponding to that of  FIG. 3 , and 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a thermotherapy device in accordance with the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]      FIGS. 1 to 4  show a thermotherapy device  1  with a horizontal surface  5  bordered by two lengthwise sides  2 , a head side  3  and a foot side  4 . The head side  3  is bordered by the head area  3   a  of the horizontal surface  5 , the patient intended for thermal therapy lying preferably on the horizontal surface  5  such that at least the head of the patient rests on the head region  3   a . This is however not critical, the head of the patient also being able to rest basically also underneath the head area; this can be the case especially for newborns. It is important that there is intake of the supplied air only above the head side  3  and/or the head region  3   a.    
         [0033]    The thermotherapy device  1  has an upwardly directed supply means  6  for supply of warm, moist air on three sides of the horizontal surface  5 , with a side supply  7  in the area of each of the two lengthwise sides  2  and a foot supply  8  in the area of the foot side  4 . It is pointed out that this embodiment is simply a schematic representation. A description of supply lines and the like has been omitted. The supply means  6  can be easily integrated into a U-shaped or closed frame which surrounds the horizontal surface  5 ; this is not shown in particular. Furthermore, above the head side  3 , there is an exhaust means  9  for exhausting the supplied air. With this, the illustrated thermotherapy device  1  enables thermotherapy in which warm moist air is blown upwardly only from the lengthwise sides  2  and the foot side  4  and is exhausted from above at the head end. In this way, a given microclimate can be formed above the horizontal surface  5 . 
         [0034]    Furthermore, in the illustrated thermotherapy device  1 , there is a front wall  10  which is connected to the exhaust means  9 . Here, the front wall  10  extends at least essentially over the length of the head side  3 . In this way, in the illustrated thermotherapy device  1 , and during thermotherapy, bulkheading of the head side  3  is achieved. 
         [0035]    While in the illustrated thermotherapy device  1 , the side supplies  7  extend over the full length of the lengthwise sides  2 , the foot supply  8  extends over the full length of the foot side  4  and the exhaust means  9  extends over the full length of the head side  3 , basically, it is also possible for each of the supplies  7 ,  8  to extend in exactly the same manner as the exhaust means  9  only over part of the corresponding sides  2 ,  3 ,  4 , when, in this way, sufficient flow over the horizontal surface  5  is achieved by the supplied air. The exhaust means  9  is, moreover, arranged over the horizontal surface  5  such that the exhaust means  9  overhangs the horizontal surface  5  from the head side  3  so that an advantageous air flow is formed. Thus, it is not established how far the exhaust means  9  overhangs the horizontal surface  5 . In order to ensure sufficient accessibility of the horizontal surface  5 , the exhaust means  9  should overhang the horizontal surface  5  at most by ⅔ of the length of the horizontal surface  5 . 
         [0036]    The direction in which the air emerges from the side supplies  7  and the foot supply  8  is at an angle from 0 to 90° to the vertical. In this connection, the two side supplies  7  are inclined relative to one another and the outflow direction of the foot supply  8  is directed obliquely toward the head side  3 . This arrangement of the outflow directions and otherwise the induction of individual flows yield a contraction of the supplied air in the upper region. 
         [0037]    In the thermotherapy device  1  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the exhaust means  9  is located at a distance above the horizontal surface  5  which is smaller than the width of the horizontal surface  5 . Moreover, the side supplies  7  and the foot supply  8  are arranged inclined with respect to the horizontal surface  5 . Not shown is the fact that the incident flow directions of the side supplies  7  and the foot supply  8  as well as the exhaust means  9  can be moved around two axes of rotation which run perpendicular to one another and thus in different directions. The exhaust means  9  is also vertically adjustable; this is however not shown individually. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show a thermotherapy device  1  in which there are protective walls  11  on the side supplies  7  and the foot supply  8 . In this connection, the individual protective walls  11  are detachably connected to the respective supplies  7 ,  8 . So that the protective walls  11  can perform a flow-routing function, the protective walls  11  are arranged here at an angle to the vertical. The protective walls  11  of the side supplies  7  are pointed obliquely at one another, while the protective wall  11  of the foot supply  8  is pointed obliquely in the direction toward the head side  3 . It has been pointed out that the representation of the protective walls is simply schematic. It goes without saying that they can, of course, also be mounted in another form on the supplies  7 ,  8  or on the peripheral frame which is not shown individually. 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  shows a thermotherapy device  1  in which there is a flap  16  on the base body of the exhaust means  9  which extends in areas over the length of the head side  3  and which is pivotally supported. The flap  16  is located in the lower position in which it extends over part of the length of the horizontal surface  5 . In this lower position, the flap  16 , as shown schematically in  FIG. 7 , performs a flow-routing function. It is not shown in particular that the flap  16  can be swung out of the lower position, in this figure clockwise into an upper position which clears access to the horizontal surface  5 . Otherwise, the flap  19  can, if necessary, be pivoted farther down, in this figure counterclockwise, overly low pivoting not being feasible since it not only blocks the intake opening of the exhaust means  9 , but also adversely affects the handling of the infant on the horizontal surface  5 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 8   a  &amp;  8   b  show preferred embodiments of a side supply  7  which enables a diverging outflow of the supplied air. Here, the exit openings  18  in  FIG. 8   a  have different openings so that a radial flow profile is obtained. This flow profile, as shown in  FIG. 8   b , can also be achieved by a flow-routing guide means  19  which is provided in addition or alternatively. It is not shown in particular that other flow profiles can also be produced by the alignment of the exit openings  18  or the use of a guide means  19 . It goes without saying that the versions of the side supplies  7  shown in  FIGS. 8   a  &amp;  8   b  can also be provided in the same way for the foot supply  8 . 
         [0041]    In the thermotherapy device  1  shown in  FIG. 9 , the schematically shown air conditioning means  12  is coupled to the exhaust means  9 . The air conditioning means  12  is shown here as a separate system. However, integration into the device  1  is also easily possible. Furthermore, not shown is a corresponding fan via which the supplied air is exhausted which is connected to the exhaust means  9 . The fan can also be integrated into the device  1 . The air conditioning means  12  has a humidification means  13  and a heating means  14  so that in addition to the supply speed via the fan, the temperature and humidity of the air can be set in the desired manner. In order to be able to add other gases to the air before it is supplied in order to establish the desired atmosphere over the horizontal surface  5 , the air conditioning means  12  has a corresponding connection  15 . Here, it is fundamentally also possible for there to be a connection  15  in the area of the supplies  7 ,  8  and for other gases to be added, viewed in the air flow direction, between the air conditioning means  12  and the supplies  7 ,  8 . 
         [0042]    The thermotherapy devices  1  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 7  and  9  are otherwise those in which the exhaust means  9  is a swirl hood, the swirl hood  9  passing into the front wall  10 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 10  shows another embodiment of a thermotherapy device  1  which corresponds essentially to the thermotherapy device  1  shown in  FIG. 1 . However, in contrast the device of  FIG. 1 , in the thermotherapy device  1  shown in  FIG. 10 , the air intake does not take place over the complete length of the head side  3 , but simply over the middle area of the horizontal surface  5  which extends on either side of the lengthwise center axis of the horizontal surface  5 . In this way, it is possible for the intake of unwanted air on the two ends of the exhaust means  9 , which can likewise be a swirl hood in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , to be largely prevented and the available air flow to be concentrated in the center of the thermal convection flow. Moreover, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10  has the advantage that at least limited access to the patient from the head side  3  is also possible. 
         [0044]    Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , it is provided that the front wall  10  is an integral component of the exhaust means  9 , so that the front wall  10  assumes a flow-guiding function. If the exhaust means  9  is a swirl hood, the front wall  10  can pass into the swirl hood, the front wall  10  deflecting the intake flow in the direction to the jacket of the swirl hood. Here, it is provided that the air is simply taken in above the head side  3  and/or the head area  3   a  bordering the head side  3 . Accordingly, the exhaust means  9  is located above the head side  3  and the head area  3   a  and overhangs the horizontal surface  5 . The exhaust means  9  extends in the lengthwise direction over part of the width of the horizontal surface  5 . 
         [0045]    Moreover, it is provided that, laterally on the exhaust means, there are guide elements  20 . The guide elements  20  extend from the side walls of the exhaust means  9  and extend beyond the side supplies  7  as far as the lateral front sides  21  of the front wall  10 . The guide elements  20  overhang the horizontal surface  5  above the head area  3   a  in the manner of a jacket, and a collar opening of the guide element  20  can be made to taper in the direction toward the lateral front side  21  of the front wall  10 . The opening width of the collar opening bordering the exhaust means  9  can correspond essentially to the width of the intake opening of the exhaust means  9  and can continuously decrease in the direction to the side supplies, so that the guide element  20  has a triangular base surface. The front wall  10  can otherwise be aligned in the region of the exhaust means  9  with the upper jacket surface of the exhaust means  9  and can be made beveled in the direction to the lateral front sides  21 . The front wall  10  can be an integral component of the guide element  20 . As a result, the degree of thermal acquisition of the exhaust means  9  is further improved. 
         [0046]    It is not shown in particular that the air flow taken in can be divided into two component flows, preferably, the component flows being supplied with a different temperature and/or with a different speed, especially via different exit areas of the horizontal surface  5 . Air supply can take place via the side supplies  7  and/or the foot supply  8  such that, on the one hand, the temperature of the inner region of the horizontal surface  5  decreases to the outside and on the other hand the exit speed also decreases from the inside to the outside. The latter reduces the shear flows between the individual air jets and reduces the induction, and thus, the admixture of ambient air. However, basically, it is also possible to break the air down into several component flows and to supply the air with respect to temperature and exit speed staggered accordingly over different exit surfaces of the horizontal surface  5 . The exit surfaces can have honeycomb, directional baffle plates in order to produce a certain flow profile. 
         [0047]    The aforementioned features of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 to 10  can be combined if necessary, i.e., individually or in any combination, even if this is not mentioned and described specifically.