US 12,257,451 B2
Modular microclimate veterinary incubator
Kenneth Clark Sunden, Richland, MI (US)
Filed by Kenneth Clark Sunden, Richland, MI (US)
Filed on Jan. 18, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/248,281.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/962,536, filed on Jan. 17, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0220201 A1, Jul. 22, 2021
Int. Cl. A61N 5/06 (2006.01); A61D 99/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61N 5/0625 (2013.01) [A61D 99/00 (2013.01); A61N 2005/0659 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A microclimate veterinary incubator, comprising:
a unitary incubator enclosure, consisting of multiple tempered glass panels dimensioned to form the unitary incubator enclosure, a plurality of corner brackets, join and retain the multiple tempered glass panels as the unitary incubator enclosure, a thermal mat spanning a bottom of the unitary incubator enclosure, the thermal mat having a surface to capture a thermal radiation;
a ceramic infrared heating element coupled within the unitary incubator enclosure and emit an infrared heat source in the range of 9-12 micrometers; and
a reflective shroud surrounds the ceramic infrared heating element, the reflective shroud having a focal length to orient the infrared heat source onto the surface of the thermal mat to define a thermal gradient on the surface of the thermal mat and an airspace above the thermal mat, the thermal gradient defining a microenvironment having a warmer center portion that progressively cools approaching a peripheral outer edge of the thermal gradient proximal with one or more of the multiple tempered glass sidewalls, wherein a small animal can move freely within the thermal gradient microenvironment.