CPC A61G 11/00 (2013.01) [A61M 1/1698 (2013.01); A61M 1/168 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3331 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3334 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3368 (2013.01); A61M 2205/7518 (2013.01); A61M 2240/00 (2013.01)] | 15 Claims |
1. An incubation apparatus configured to maintain a fetus in an extrauterine environment, the incubation apparatus comprising:
an incubation chamber configured to hold a volume of a sterile liquid and the fetus, the volume of the sterile liquid sufficient such that the fetus can be submerged in the sterile liquid in the incubation chamber, the incubation chamber including an inlet port and an outlet port, the inlet port configured to provide a path for the sterile liquid into the incubation chamber, the outlet port configured to provide a path for the sterile liquid out of the incubation chamber;
a pumpless oxygenation circuit including an oxygenator having an inflow port and an outflow port, the pumpless oxygenation circuit configured to be coupled to the fetus such that the pumpless oxygenation circuit defines a path that includes: 1) a first portion that provides arterial outflow from the fetus to the oxygenator inflow port, and 2) a second portion that provides return flow from the outflow port to the fetus;
a supply tank configured to store a supply of sterile liquid greater than the volume of the sterile liquid in the incubation chamber, and a sterile liquid supply line connecting the supply tank to the inlet port; and
a drain configured to receive used liquid from the incubation chamber through the outlet port;
a pump configured to pump the sterile liquid from the supply tank through the supply line and through the inlet port, and into the incubation chamber;
a suction device positioned within the incubation chamber to remove fetal waste from the incubation chamber, the suction device mounted to the incubation chamber through a sealed suction device port; and
a glove mounted to the incubation chamber by way of a glove port, the glove designed to permit sterile human hand access into the incubation chamber through the glove.
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