Mattress heating
The Babytherm 8004/8010 features a mattress heating
system that uses conductive heat transfer to warm up
patients and to keep them warm.The system consists
of a gel mattress, an aluminum heating plate and an
electronic control and monitoring unit.
The gel mattress is made of a gel material with
excellent heat conducting properties, which won't dis-
locate even when the bed is tilted. The gel is enclosed
by a soft, skin compatible film.
The mattress molds itself to the body contours of the
patient lying on it, resulting in a large contact surface, a
property facilitating heat conduction to the patient and
avoiding pressure points (anti-decubitus effect). A cold
gel mattress, on the other hand, dissipates a patient's
thermal energy. The gel material has an excellent capa-
city for storing heat. When the power supply is discon-
nected (e.g. during a transport within the hospital), the
patient is kept warm for approximately 15 minutes if
sufficiently insulated (blanket, cover).
The aluminum heating plate consists of a 6 mm
(1/4 inch) thick aluminum plate and a heater element
attached below. It distributes heat evenly over the
entire bed area.
The mattress heater membrane keypad with its buttons
and display is located on the right-hand side of the
controller unit.
Mattress temperature is controlled according to the set
value entered. It adjusts in such a way that the set
temperature is reached (but not exceeded) in those
areas where the patient is in contact with the mattress.
System monitoring includes check routines and alarm
features.
Configuration mode
Configuration mode is a special operational mode of
the Babytherm 8004/8010 controller. In this mode,
information regarding software version and error log
cna be polled. The device can also be programmed
with user specific settings of skin temperature alarm
threshold, volume of audible alarms, as well as
language and contrast of the alphanumeric display. It
also serves to test the built-in nurse call and keys of the
operating panel.
Description of System Components
Babytherm consists of
– a mobile chassis with the attached infant bed
– a controller unit with operating panel
– a radiant heater, and
– a mattress heating system (Babytherm 8010 only)
Controller unit
The controller unit is located below the radiant warmer
between the two support columns at the head end of
the bed. The panel contains a membrane keypad and
display area. Integrated into the alphanumeric display
(2 x 40 characters) is a user guide for easier operation.
Radiant heater
The radiant warmer combines two infrared ceramic
heaters and 2 lights for illuminating the bed surface.
An integrated phototherapy light is optional.
The work light provides two settings, for daytime and
for nighttime lighting. The well balanced color spectrum
of the lamps used makes it easier to recognize diag-
nostically significant skin color nuances.
The radiant warmer can be operated in manual control
mode or skin temperature control mode.
"Manual" control mode provides fixed heater output
level settings from 1 through 10.
"Skin control" controls skin temperature according to a
preset value. Heater output is then automatically
controlled to patient needs.
Both modes of operation are monitored with check
routines and alarm schemes.
ThermoMonitoring
ThermoMonitoring is made possible with a secondary
skin temperature sensor. Skin temperatures taken
close to the body core and at the periphery (tummy-toe
temperature monitoring) are displayed on the controller
unit. They can be graphically represented on a PC via
optional serial interface (RS 232), using Dräger's
ThermoView
software, improving diagnostic
possibilities.
Theory of Operation
Description of System Components
14
Operating Instructions Babytherm 8004/8010, 2. ed.
