Isolation device for shock reduction in a neonatal transport apparatus

Abstract

A device in combination with a neonatal transport cart that reduces the amount of energy transmitted to the surface upon which an infant rests during transport. A pair of plates, one of which is mounted to the incubator and the other of which is mounted to the stretcher, has a gap between the substantially parallel plates. The gap contains springs, preferably gas springs, with a spring rate in a range and a damping effect. The springs reduce the energy transmission to the infant by the stretcher or other platform.

1 . An apparatus for reducing the transmission of kinetic energy from a support table to an isolette in which an infant is resting, the apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a first plate mounted to the support table;    (b) a second plate spaced from the first plate to form a gap, the second plate being mounted to the isolette; and    (c) at least one spring mounted in the gap between the first and second plates.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the first plate is substantially parallel to the second plate.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said at least one spring further comprises a plurality of springs mounted in the gap, each of said springs being mounted to at least one of the plates.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of springs further comprises a plurality of gas springs mounted around a peripheral edge of the first plate and around a peripheral edge of the second plate.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 4 , further comprising a central gas spring mounted to the first and second plates and positioned centrally of said plurality of gas springs.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein at least some of said plurality of gas springs are mounted to the plates in a reverse configuration to prevent damage to other of said springs.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the stiffness of said at least one spring is in a range from about 500 lb/in and about 4,500 lb/in.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the stiffness of said at least one spring is about 800 lb/in.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein an effective attenuation of the apparatus is in a range from about 10 Hz to about 18 Hz.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the effective attenuation of the apparatus is in a range from about 10.25 to about 17.09 Hz.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a damping rate is up to about 4.0%.