Incubators, incubator systems, removal methods

Abstract

To prevent an affected infant in an incubator from being exposed to a volatile substance unintentionally.SOLUTION: An incubator (1) comprises: a housing chamber (101) capable of housing an affected infant (X); a placing base (102) for placing the housing chamber (101); and a bed (11) having a surface (11a) to place the affected infant (X). The housing chamber (101) is provided with: a blowing part (520) capable of blowing so that the air flows in one direction along the surface (11a) in the housing chamber (101); and a removal part (110K) which is installed on the downstream side of the flow of the air in the one direction with respect to the housing chamber (101) and removes the volatile substance from the air in the housing chamber (101).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an incubator, an incubation system, and a removal method for removing volatile substances in an incubator.

Background Art

[0002] An incubator is a medical device for protecting and treating patients such as premature infants and newborns. Patients receive various medical interventions inside the incubator. Examples of medical interventions received by patients include blood sampling, wearing a ventilator, and intravenous drip.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] As an example of medical intervention, blood may be sampled from a patient in an incubator, or an intravenous drip may be administered to the patient. In these medical interventions, alcohol such as ethanol may be used for disinfecting the site where the needle is inserted. Since alcohol such as ethanol is volatile, the alcohol concentration in the air inside the incubator increases each time a medical intervention is performed. As a result, the patient inside the incubator may be unintentionally exposed to volatile substances.

[0004] Some of the volatile substances may affect the health of the patient. For example, it is widely known that drinking alcohol during pregnancy has an adverse effect on the fetus (fetal alcohol syndrome), and it is desirable to improve the situation where the patient in the incubator is exposed to volatile substances.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to avoid the patient in the incubator from being unintentionally exposed to volatile substances.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] Furthermore, an incubator relating to one aspect of this disclosure comprises a dwelling chamber capable of accommodating a sick child, a platform on which the dwelling chamber is placed, and a bed having a surface on which the sick child is placed, wherein the dwelling chamber is provided with a ventilation unit capable of blowing air so that air flows in one direction along the aforementioned surface within the dwelling chamber, and a removal unit installed downstream of the unidirectional airflow within the dwelling chamber, and which removes volatile substances from the air within the dwelling chamber.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the air blower blows air within the containment chamber so that it flows in one direction along the mounting surface. The removal unit is installed downstream of the unidirectional airflow relative to the containment chamber and removes volatile substances from the air inside the containment chamber. This prevents infants in the incubator from being unintentionally exposed to volatile substances.

[0008] In the containment chamber, a first partition is provided on the upstream side of the unidirectional airflow and a second partition is provided on the downstream side of the airflow, so that the child is positioned between them in the unidirectional direction. The second partition may be provided with an air intake port for the removal unit and may draw in air flowing from the first partition to the second partition. In this case, since the air intake port for the removal unit is provided on the second partition on the downstream side of the unidirectional airflow within the containment chamber, it is possible to easily make the incubator more compact and avoid unintentional exposure to volatile substances.

[0009] The removal unit has a removal member that removes volatile substances from the air in the containment chamber, and the removal member may be installed on a screen located downstream of the unidirectional airflow in the containment chamber. In this case, since the removal member of the removal unit is installed on a screen located downstream of the unidirectional airflow in the containment chamber, it becomes easier to make the incubator more compact, thus avoiding unintentional exposure to volatile substances.

[0010] The containment chamber may be provided with a circulation unit that circulates air, whose temperature and humidity have been controlled, in a direction along the aforementioned one-way path. In this case, appropriate temperature and humidity control of the air inside the containment chamber can be easily achieved.

[0011] Furthermore, a childcare system relating to one aspect of this disclosure includes an incubator comprising: a dwelling chamber capable of accommodating a sick child; a platform on which the dwelling chamber is placed; and a bed having a surface on which the sick child is placed; a blowing mechanism capable of blowing air in the dwelling chamber so that air flows in one direction along the aforementioned surface; and a removal mechanism installed downstream of the unidirectional airflow relative to the dwelling chamber, which removes volatile substances from the air in the dwelling chamber.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the blowing mechanism blows air within the containment chamber so that it flows in one direction along the mounting surface. The removal mechanism is installed downstream of the unidirectional airflow within the containment chamber and removes volatile substances from the air inside the containment chamber. This prevents infants in the incubator from being unintentionally exposed to volatile substances.

[0013] Furthermore, a removal method relating to one aspect of the present disclosure is a removal method for removing volatile substances from the containment chamber of an incubator comprising a containment chamber capable of containing a child, a mounting platform on which the containment chamber is mounted, and a bed having a mounting surface on which the child is mounted, the method comprising: a blowing step of blowing air into the containment chamber so that air flows in one direction along the mounting surface described above, and a removal step of removing the volatile substances from the air inside the containment chamber downstream of the one-way airflow relative to the containment chamber.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the blowing step blows air into the containment chamber so that it flows in one direction along the mounting surface. The removal step removes volatile substances from the air in the containment chamber downstream of the unidirectional airflow to the containment chamber. This prevents the infant in the incubator from being unintentionally exposed to volatile substances.

[0015] The removal unit comprises an intake section for taking in air from the containment chamber, a removal member for removing volatile substances from the air taken in by the intake section, and an exhaust section for exhausting the air from which the volatile substances have been removed. The removal member and the exhaust section may be provided below the mounting surface described above. In this case, since the removal member and exhaust section of the removal unit are provided below the mounting surface, it is not necessary to secure a separate space for installing the removal unit in addition to the space for installing the incubator. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to one aspect of this disclosure, it is possible to avoid unintentional exposure of an infant in an incubator to volatile substances. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of an incubator equipped with a volatile substance removal device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of the volatile substance removal device shown. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the volatile substance removal device shown by line AA. [Figure 4] This is a schematic plan view of a volatile substance removal device according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a schematic plan view of a volatile substance removal device according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the volatile substance removal device shown by line AA. [Figure 7] Figure 5 illustrates an example of how to use the volatile substance removal device shown. [Figure 8] A schematic perspective view of the purification device according to Embodiment 4 of this disclosure. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the purification device taken along the line BB. [Figure 10] This is a schematic perspective view showing a purification device according to Embodiment 5 of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] This is a schematic perspective view showing a purification device according to Embodiment 6 of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the purification device shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] It is a schematic block diagram of the childcare system according to Embodiment 7 of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] It is a schematic perspective view of a modified example of the incubator shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 15] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified example of the volatile substance removing device shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 16] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified example of the volatile substance removing device shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 17] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified example of the volatile substance removing device shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 18] It is a flowchart for explaining the ethanol removal method according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. [Figure 19] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the incubator shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 20] It is a schematic perspective view of the incubator according to Embodiment 8 of the present disclosure. [Figure 21] It is a schematic perspective view of the incubator according to Embodiment 9 of the present disclosure. [Figure 22] It is a schematic perspective view of the incubator according to Embodiment 10 of the present disclosure.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0018] 〔Embodiment 1〕 Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Hereinafter, the incubator will be described by taking the closed-type incubator described later as an example.

[0019] Some medical interventions for the patient (such as intravenous drip administration, etc.) are carried out inside the incubator. In addition, it is necessary to adsorb and remove the volatile substances contained in the air inside the incubator. This volatile substance is a substance used in medical interventions for the patient X such as ethanol.

[0020] Therefore, a volatile substance removal device is installed inside the incubator to remove volatile substances used in medical interventions performed inside the incubator from the air within the incubator. This improves the safety of performing medical interventions on sick children inside the incubator. One reason for installing the volatile substance removal device inside the incubator is that it is less likely to cause problems in terms of hygiene and functionality. For example, if all or part of the volatile substance removal device is installed outside the incubator, condensation may occur due to the temperature and humidity difference between the inside and outside of the incubator, which is likely to cause problems in terms of hygiene and functionality. For this reason, it is preferable to install the volatile substance removal device inside the incubator. In the following explanation, ethanol will be used as an example of the volatile substance to be removed, and the volatile substance removal device will be referred to as an ethanol removal device. First, an overview of the incubator will be given.

[0021] <Overview of Incubators> Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the incubator 1. The incubator 1 includes a dwelling chamber 101 for accommodating the sick child X and a platform 102 on which the dwelling chamber 101 is placed. Inside the dwelling chamber 101 are a bed 11 and partitions 12 positioned in front of and behind the bed. The surface 11a of the bed 11 is an example of the surface on which the sick child is placed. The bed 11 is installed on a bed stage 13 provided on the platform 102. The bed stage 13 allows the bed 11 to be moved vertically or vertically and horizontally. The partitions 12 are made of transparent resin having a predetermined height and width from the surface 11a of the bed 11.

[0022] The containment chamber 101 is equipped with two treatment openings 101a for a doctor or nurse to administer intravenous fluids or other treatments to the child X. When performing any treatment on the child X in the containment chamber 101, disinfection is always necessary. For example, alcohol swabs are used to disinfect the area being treated, such as the child X's hands. If alcohol swabs are used in the containment chamber 101, ethanol will be generated in the chamber 101. To remove the generated ethanol, an ethanol removal device 110 is placed on the bed 11 in the containment chamber 101.

[0023] Here, the air in the containment chamber 101 includes a first air source located away from the source of ethanol emission (e.g., alcohol swabs) and a second air source located near the source of ethanol emission (e.g., alcohol swabs). Therefore, the ethanol removal device 110 mainly removes ethanol from the second air source located near the source of ethanol emission. The operation of the ethanol removal device 110 is controlled by operating an operating unit (not shown) provided on each device.

[0024] Incubator 1 is an incubator (a so-called closed-type incubator) equipped with a containment chamber in which the internal temperature and humidity can be adjusted for housing a sick child. Therefore, incubator 1 further includes a circulation unit 410, a supply unit 420, and a discharge unit 430. The circulation unit 410 circulates temperature and humidity-adjusted air into the containment chamber 101. The supply unit 420 supplies air from outside the containment chamber 101 into the containment chamber 101. The discharge unit 430 discharges at least a portion of the air inside the containment chamber 101 to the outside of the containment chamber 101. As a result, incubator 1 maintains the temperature and humidity in the containment chamber housing the sick child, and is ventilated by natural intake and exhaust at a level that maintains the temperature and humidity. In addition to temperature and humidity, oxygen concentration may also be adjustable in incubator 1. The airflow of the air supplied by the circulation unit is designed with consideration for its direction and speed so as not to affect the sick child. Alternatively, instead of the configuration described above, the incubator 1 may be provided with at least one of the following: an external circulation unit 410, an external supply unit 420, or an external discharge unit 430, namely the external circulation unit 410.

[0025] The mounting base 102 is equipped with an operation panel 102a that allows the user (doctor, nurse, etc.) to operate the functions of the incubator 1.

[0026] In the incubator 1, the temperature and humidity of the air in the containment chamber 101 are regulated by the circulation unit 410. The ethanol removal device 110 draws in air from the containment chamber 101, removes the ethanol contained in the drawn air, and exhausts the ethanol-free air back into the containment chamber 101. This allows for the removal of ethanol from the containment chamber 101 while maintaining its temperature and humidity. Another possible method is to remove ethanol from the air outside the incubator 1 and exchange the air inside the incubator 1 with the air outside the incubator 1, but this method makes it difficult to maintain the temperature and humidity inside the incubator 1.

[0027] Furthermore, by placing the ethanol removal device 110 inside the containment chamber 101, there is no need to secure a separate space for the ethanol removal device 110 in addition to the space for installing the incubator 1.

[0028] Furthermore, the ethanol removal device 110 can be freely positioned and used on the bed 11. Therefore, when disinfecting patient X, by placing the ethanol removal device 110 close to the area to be disinfected, it is possible to effectively adsorb the ethanol generated during disinfection.

[0029] <Overview of Ethanol Removal Device> Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the ethanol removal device 110. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 2.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the ethanol removal device 110 includes a housing 111. On the front surface 111a of the housing 111, intake sections 111c for taking in air are provided in parallel along the longitudinal direction of the front surface 111a, and on the rear surface 111b, an exhaust section 111d (Figure 3) for exhausting the air from which ethanol has been removed within the housing 111 is provided. On the front surface 111a of the housing 111, a guide section 112 is provided to guide air to the intake sections 111c.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the first removal section 114 and the suction section 115 are arranged inside the housing 111 in order from the intake section 111c to the exhaust section 111d.

[0032] The first removal unit 114 contains crushed activated carbon 114a and adsorbs vaporized ethanol contained in the air drawn in from the first opening 114b on the intake unit 111c side by the suction unit 115, and exhausts it from the second opening 114c on the suction unit 115 side. The first removal unit 114 is a cartridge type in which the crushed activated carbon 114a is housed in a cartridge that can be attached and detached from the upper side of the housing 111. This makes it easy to replace the first removal unit 114. Also, the crushed activated carbon 114a is disposable. Therefore, the first removal unit 114 is replaced as follows: The crushed activated carbon 114a housed in the first removal unit 114 removed from the housing 111 is discarded, new crushed activated carbon 114a is housed in the first removal unit 114, and the first removal unit 114 is reattached to the housing 111.

[0033] A gas sensor 117 is provided between the first removal unit 114 and the suction unit 115. This gas sensor 117 is a sensor for detecting a decrease in the ethanol adsorption capacity of the first removal unit 114. Specifically, the control unit (not shown) of the ethanol removal device 110 determines that the ethanol adsorption capacity of the first removal unit 114 has decreased below a predetermined standard if the ethanol concentration detected by the gas sensor 117 is equal to or greater than a preset value (a value used to determine that the first removal unit 114 needs to be replaced). In other words, the control unit can indicate that it is time to replace the first removal unit 114 based on the ethanol concentration detected by the gas sensor 117. In this way, the control unit determines the adsorption state of the first removal unit 114 (whether it is in a breakthrough state (adsorbing beyond the adsorption function and leaking the adsorbed material) or a state where it is adsorbing sufficiently) based on the ethanol concentration detected by the gas sensor 117. Therefore, the gas sensor 117 functions as a breakthrough sensor. In other words, the gas sensor 117 is a sensor that detects a decrease in the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon in the first removal unit 114, and based on the detection result of the gas sensor 117, it is configured to indicate when it is time to replace the activated carbon in the first removal unit 114.

[0034] The suction unit 115 consists of two sirocco fans, which draw air in from the intake unit 111c via the first removal unit 114 and exhaust it from the exhaust unit 111d provided on the rear surface 111b of the housing 111. Here, the intake volume in the suction unit 115 is 20 L or more per minute, but is not limited to this. However, it is preferable that the intake volume in the suction unit 115 be set within a range that does not disturb the environment inside the closed incubator by the intake volume and exhaust volume.

[0035] The direction in which air is exhausted by the exhaust unit 111d is preferably such that it does not obstruct the airflow inside the incubator 1. Furthermore, it is preferable that the air exhausted from the exhaust unit 111d (air from which ethanol has been removed) does not come into contact with the body of the infant X in the containment chamber 101. This is because if the air exhausted from the exhaust unit 111d comes into contact with the infant X, it may draw heat away from the infant or promote water loss due to insensible perspiration. Therefore, the ethanol removal device 110 is configured so that the air exhausted from the exhaust unit 111d is discharged in a direction away from the infant X in the containment chamber 101.

[0036] The air drawn in from the intake section 111c of the housing 111 is guided by the guide section 112 described above. The details of the guide section 112 will now be explained. The guide section 112 includes a mounting section 112a on which at least a portion of the patient X who is the target of the ethanol treatment, and at least one of the ethanol sources such as alcohol swabs can be placed.

[0037] If at least a portion of the patient X is placed on the placement section 112a and an ethanol treatment (e.g., disinfection) is performed, or if an alcohol swab or other ethanol source used for treatment is placed on the placement section 112a, ethanol will float around the portion of the patient X placed on the placement section 112a. However, the ethanol removal device 110 actively guides the air containing ethanol floating on the placement surface (a predetermined surface) on the placement section 112a where at least a portion of the patient X is placed to the intake section 111c using the guide section 112. As a result, the ethanol removal device 110 can remove ethanol using the first removal section 114 inside the housing 111. Furthermore, as in the example described later, ethanol can also be removed using the first removal section 114 and the second removal section 116 inside the housing 111. Therefore, the ethanol removal device 110 can remove ethanol contained in the air in a short time. In comparison to a method of exchanging the air inside incubator 1 with the air outside incubator 1, the exchange method does not suppress the peak ethanol concentration inside incubator 1 because ethanol evaporated from alcohol swabs, etc., floats around inside the incubator before being discharged outside incubator 1. Furthermore, because the ethanol concentration inside incubator 1 remains high, it takes time to discharge it outside incubator 1, and the effects of ethanol on the child cannot be sufficiently mitigated. In contrast, removal using the ethanol removal device 110 removes ethanol evaporated from alcohol swabs, etc., near the source, thus suppressing the peak ethanol concentration inside incubator 1 and sufficiently mitigating the effects of ethanol on the child. It is also conceivable to open the incubator door, etc., to quickly exchange the air inside and outside incubator 1, but this method cannot be adopted because it causes rapid fluctuations in temperature, humidity, and oxygen concentration, which would be a great burden on the child.

[0038] The mounting section 112a consists of a single plate-like member (such as a resin plate) and is integrally formed with the housing 111. On the side facing the front 111a of the housing 111, the mounting section 112a has a width approximately the same as the longitudinal width of the front 111a, while on the side facing the front 111a, it has a roughly trapezoidal shape with a width longer than the longitudinal width of the front 111a. Thus, the width on the side facing the front 111a is longer than the width on the side facing the front 111a. Adopting this configuration significantly improves the ease of performing procedures on the mounting section 112a. In addition, the mounting section 112a can be used to place a part of the patient X and perform procedures such as disinfection with alcohol swabs, and can also be used as a temporary storage place for alcohol swabs.

[0039] The guide portion 112 has two wall portions 112b, 112b that rise upward from the periphery of the mounting portion 112a. In other words, the wall portions 112b are formed except for the portion facing the intake portion 111c. Here, the wall portions 112b are made of the same type of material as the mounting portion 112a and are formed integrally with it.

[0040] The wall portion 112b prevents ethanol generated after at least a portion of the patient X placed on the placement portion 112a from diffusing outside the placement portion 112a. This makes it possible to more actively guide ethanol-containing air into the intake portion 111c.

[0041] Furthermore, since the wall portion 112b is formed except for the portion facing the intake portion 111c, the practitioner can perform ethanol treatment (disinfection) on at least a portion of the child X placed on the placement portion 112a from the area where the wall portion 112b is not formed. Here, the practitioner is a medical professional, nurse, etc. Also, the ethanol removal device 110 can be configured not to obstruct the guidance of ethanol to the intake portion 111c. This allows ethanol treatment on the treatment target, such as at least a portion of the child X, to be performed without being obstructed by the wall portion 112b. This makes it easier to perform treatment on the treatment target (assuming treatment by a doctor or nurse inside the containment chamber 101 of the incubator 1) and allows for the removal of generated ethanol. Therefore, treatment can be performed on the child X while considering the safety inside the incubator 1. In addition, in order not to interfere with medical procedures on the child X and to improve the ethanol removal rate, the intake portion 111c of the ethanol removal device 110 is positioned in a direction that is appropriate for the airflow of the vaporized ethanol-containing air. Furthermore, the fan speed of the suction section 115 of the ethanol removal device 110 is set so that the airflow velocity of the air drawn in from the intake section 11c is at an appropriate speed.

[0042] The wall portion 112b is highest on the front 111a side of the housing 111 and decreases in height as it moves away from the front 111a. By making the front 111a side of the housing 111 higher than the rear 111b of the wall portion 112b, it is possible to easily guide air to the intake portion 111c. By making the height of the wall portion 112b lower as it moves away from the front 111a, the wall portion 112b does not get in the way, making it easier to perform procedures on the mounting portion 112a. In this way, by making the wall portion 112b highest on the front 111a side of the housing 111 and decreasing in height as it moves away from the front 111a, it is possible to achieve both ease of air introduction and ease of procedure.

[0043] To reliably guide air to the intake section 111c of the housing 111, it is sufficient that at least a portion of the guide section 112 is connected to the intake section 111c. Specifically, it is sufficient that the front 111a-side ends of the mounting section 112a and wall section 112b of the guide section 112 are connected to the intake section 111c. In this case, the air guided to the intake section 111c by the guide section 112 is less likely to leak between the front 111a-side ends of the mounting section 112a and wall section 112b of the guide section 112 and the intake section 111c, and a large amount of air is guided to the intake section 111c. In other words, by connecting at least a portion of the guide section 112 to the intake section 111c, air can be reliably guided to the intake section 111c.

[0044] According to the ethanol removal device 110 with the above configuration, the guide section 112 that guides air containing ethanol to the intake section 111c has a mounting section 112a on which at least a part of the hands, feet, etc. of the child X, who is the target of treatment using ethanol, can be placed. This makes it possible to guide outside air containing ethanol used when performing treatment on the target of treatment at the mounting section 112a to the intake section 111c by the guide section 112. Thus, at least a part of the hands, feet, etc. of the child X, who is the target of treatment, will be placed on or come into contact with the guide section 112. Therefore, it is desirable that the guide section 112 be soft. The material applied to the guide section 112 must, for example, be elastic (or flexible), not easily adsorb ethanol, and not adversely affect the body of the child X or the gas sensor 117, etc. The guide section 112 must be less likely to adsorb ethanol than the first removal section 114.

[0045] Furthermore, since at least a portion of the object to be treated is placed on the mounting section 112a, ethanol will float around the object placed on the mounting section 112a. Therefore, the ethanol-containing air floating on the mounting surface (a predetermined surface) of the object to be treated on the mounting section 112a is actively guided to the intake section 111c by the guide section 112. As a result, the ethanol removal device 110 can remove ethanol from the air in a short time.

[0046] <Method for removing ethanol> Figure 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the ethanol removal method according to this embodiment. The ethanol removal method according to this embodiment is installed in an incubator equipped with a containment chamber 101 in which the internal temperature and humidity can be adjusted for housing a child, and removes vaporized ethanol from the containment chamber 101 as a result of medical procedures using ethanol on a child housed in the containment chamber 101.

[0047] In step 1 (S1), the ethanol removal device 110 guides the air in the containment chamber 101 to the intake section 111c which draws air into the first removal section 114 (guide step). In this embodiment, the first removal section 114 is configured to implement the removal means, and the intake section 111c is configured to implement the intake means.

[0048] In step 2 (S2), the ethanol removal device 110 draws air from the containment chamber 101 through the intake section 111c using the suction section 115 (suction step). In this embodiment, the suction section 115 is configured to provide a suction means.

[0049] In step 3 (S3), the ethanol removal device 110 removes the ethanol contained in the aspirated air using the first removal unit 114 (removal step).

[0050] In step (S4), the ethanol removal device 110 exhausts the air from which ethanol has been removed by the exhaust unit 111d (exhaust step). In this embodiment, the exhaust unit 111d is configured to provide an exhaust means.

[0051] According to the above configuration, since it includes a guide step for directing the air in the containment chamber 101 to the intake section 111c, the air can be efficiently guided by the suction section 115 (suction means). As a result, the fan constituting the suction section 115 can be small, and the entire device for realizing the ethanol removal method can be made small. Therefore, even if the device for realizing the ethanol removal method is used in a closed-type incubator 1, it will not interfere with medical procedures for the child.

[0052] Furthermore, in the exhaust step, the direction in which air is exhausted by the exhaust section 111d (exhaust means) may be different from the direction in which the intake section 111c (intake means) is provided. The intake section 111c takes in air containing ethanol, and the exhaust section 111d exhausts air from which the ethanol has been removed. Therefore, if air from which the ethanol has been removed is directed to the intake section 111c, it will not be possible to efficiently take in air containing ethanol. Accordingly, by setting the direction in which air is exhausted by the exhaust section 111d to be different from the direction in which the intake section 111c is provided, the air exhausted from the exhaust section 111d (air from which the ethanol has been removed) will not interfere with the intake of air containing ethanol by the intake section 111c.

[0053] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the wall portion 112b of the guide portion 112 is provided on both ends of the mounting portion 112a, but it is not limited to this. For example, the wall portion 112b may be provided not only on both ends of the mounting portion 112a, but also on the mounting portion 112a. This example will be described in Embodiment 2 below.

[0054] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention are described below. For the sake of clarity, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0055] <Overview of Volatile Removal Device> Figure 4 is a schematic front view of the ethanol removal device 210. The ethanol removal device 210 has the same housing 111 as the ethanol removal device 110 described in Embodiment 1, and has a different guide section 212 than the ethanol removal device 110.

[0056] The guide section 212 includes a mounting section 212a, two first wall sections 212b that rise upward from both side edges of the mounting section 212a, and five second wall sections 212c that are provided on the mounting section 212a at approximately equal intervals and substantially parallel to the first wall sections 212b.

[0057] The first wall portion 212b and the second wall portion 212c have the same shape as the wall portion 112b provided in the guide portion 112 of the ethanol removal device 110 of Embodiment 1.

[0058] The five second wall portions 212c are provided on the mounting portion 212a at approximately equal intervals, and together with the two first wall portions 212b, they form six passages (grooves) for guiding air to the intake portion 111c of the housing 111. With six grooves formed in this way for guiding air to the intake portion 111c of the housing 111, it becomes easier to guide air to the intake portion 111c, and all ethanol from the source contained in the air is removed.

[0059] Similar to the guide portion 112 in Embodiment 1, the guide portion 212 will be rested on or touched by at least a part of the hands, feet, etc., of the child X being treated, so the material of the guide portion 212 needs to be elastic. Furthermore, the guide portion 212 must be resistant to ethanol adsorption, and it is also necessary that the guide portion 212 does not adversely affect the child X or the sensor (gas sensor 117, etc.). The guide portion 212 must be more resistant to ethanol adsorption than the first removal portion 114.

[0060] However, of the mounting portion 212a and the second wall portion 212c that constitute the guide portion 212, it is preferable that at least the second wall portion 212c provided on the mounting portion 212a has elasticity.

[0061] [Embodiment 3] Other embodiments of the present invention are described below. For the sake of clarity, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0062] <Overview of Ethanol Removal Device> Figure 5 is a schematic front view of the ethanol removal device 110A. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 5.

[0063] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the ethanol removal device 110A has a structure in which the mounting portion 112a is removed from the guide portion 112 of the ethanol removal device 110 of Embodiment 1. In other words, as shown in Figure 5, the ethanol removal device 110A has the same structure as the ethanol removal device 110 of Embodiment 1, except that the structure of the guide portion 112 is different.

[0064] As shown in Figure 6, the housing 111 of the ethanol removal device 110A has a first removal unit 114 and a suction unit 115 arranged in order from the intake unit 111c towards the exhaust unit 111d.

[0065] The suction unit 115 consists of two sirocco fans, which draw air in from the intake unit 111c via the first removal unit 114 and exhaust it from the exhaust unit 111d provided on the rear surface 111b of the housing 111. Here, the intake volume in the suction unit 115 is 20 L or more per minute, but is not limited to this. However, it is preferable that the intake volume in the suction unit 115 be set within a range that does not disturb the environment inside the closed incubator by the intake volume and exhaust volume.

[0066] It is preferable that the air exhausted from the exhaust unit 111d (air from which ethanol has been removed) does not come into contact with the body of the patient X inside the containment chamber 101. Therefore, the ethanol removal device 110 is configured to exhaust air in a direction away from the patient X inside the containment chamber 101.

[0067] The air drawn in from the intake section 111c of the housing 111 is guided by the guide section 112 described above. The details of the guide section 112 will now be explained. The guide section 112 is formed to guide air containing ethanol to the intake section 111c from a direction that is not perpendicular to the surface 11a of the bed 11, which is the mounting surface on which the alcohol swab Y, the source of ethanol emission, is placed.

[0068] If an alcohol swab Y is placed on the surface 11a of the bed 11, the ethanol generated from the alcohol swab Y will float on the surface on which the alcohol swab Y is placed. However, since the guide portion 112 is formed to guide air containing ethanol to the intake portion 111c from a direction not perpendicular to the surface 11a of the bed 11 on which the alcohol swab Y is placed, the air containing ethanol emitted from the alcohol swab Y placed on the surface can be guided to the intake portion 111c.

[0069] In order to guide air to the intake section 111c of the housing 111, it is preferable that at least a portion of the guide section 112 is in contact with the surface 11a of the bed 11, which is the mounting surface on which the alcohol swab Y that emits ethanol is placed.

[0070] As described above, at least a portion of the guide portion 112 that guides air containing ethanol to the intake portion 111c is in contact with the mounting surface of the bed 11a on which the alcohol swab Y that emits ethanol is placed, thereby more effectively guiding the air containing ethanol emitted by the alcohol swab Y placed on the aforementioned mounting surface to the intake portion 111c.

[0071] As shown in Figure 5, the guide section 112 has two wall sections 112b and 112b that surround a predetermined range Z on the surface of the bed 11 on which the alcohol swab Y that emits volatile substances is placed. Each wall section 112b is formed to protrude forward from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the front surface 111a of the housing 111. The wall sections 112b may be provided to surround the periphery of range Z, but in this embodiment, considering the ease of performing the procedure, the wall sections 112b are formed excluding the portion facing the intake section 111c.

[0072] As a result, the guide section 112 has a wall section 112b that surrounds a predetermined range Z of the surface 11a of the bed 11 on which the alcohol swab Y, which is the source of the ethanol, is placed. This prevents the ethanol emitted from the alcohol swab Y placed on the surface 11a from diffusing outside the guide section 112. This allows the ethanol removal device 110A to more actively guide air containing ethanol into the intake section 111c.

[0073] Furthermore, since the wall portion 112b is formed except for the portion facing the intake portion 111c, it is possible to perform ethanol treatment on at least a portion of the child X placed on the surface 11a from the area where the wall portion 112b is not formed. In addition, the wall portion 112b can be made so as not to obstruct the guidance of ethanol to the intake portion 111c. As a result, the person performing the treatment can perform ethanol treatment on the treatment target, such as at least a portion of the child X, without being obstructed by the wall portion 112b, making it easier to perform treatment on the treatment target (assuming treatment by a doctor or nurse in the containment chamber 101 of the incubator 1), and the generated ethanol can be removed.

[0074] The wall portion 112b is highest on the front 111a side of the housing 111 and becomes lower as it moves away from the front 111a. The reason the wall portion 112b is higher on the front 111a side of the housing 111 is to facilitate the guidance of air to the intake portion 111c when the guide portion 112 is placed on the surface 11a of the bed 11, and the reason it becomes lower as it moves away from the front 111a is to facilitate treatment on the surface on which the alcohol swab Y is placed. In this way, by shaping the wall portion 112b so that it is highest on the front 111a side of the housing 111 and becomes lower as it moves away from the front 111a, it is possible to achieve both ease of air introduction and ease of treatment when the guide portion 112 is placed on the surface 11a of the bed 11.

[0075] In the ethanol removal device 110A with the above configuration, the guide section 112 that guides ethanol-containing air to the intake section 111c is formed to guide ethanol-containing air to the intake section 111c from a direction that is not perpendicular to the surface 11a of the bed 11, which is the mounting surface on which the ethanol-emitting source (such as alcohol swab Y) is placed. As a result, the guide section 112 can guide the ethanol-containing air emitted by the alcohol swab Y placed on the surface 11a of the bed 11 to the intake section 111c. Therefore, the ethanol removal device 110A can actively guide the ethanol-containing air floating on the mounting surface (surface 11a of the bed 11) on which the alcohol swab Y is placed to the intake section 111c by the guide section 112. As a result, the ethanol removal device 110A can remove ethanol contained in the air in a short time. Furthermore, since the direction in which the ethanol-containing air is drawn in by the intake section 111c is not perpendicular to the surface 11a of the bed 11 on which the alcohol swab Y is placed (e.g., horizontal, diagonal), the guide section 112 is less likely to obstruct the placement of the alcohol swab Y onto the surface 11a of the bed 11 from above. Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, if the direction in which the air is drawn in by the intake section 111c is not perpendicular to the surface 11a of the bed 11 on which the alcohol swab Y is placed (e.g., horizontal), the top of the guide section 112 (facing the surface 11a of the bed 11) is open. As a result, the physician can place the alcohol swab Y from above the open guide section 112, and the physician's action of placing the alcohol swab Y is not obstructed by the guide section 112.

[0076] (Example of use) Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the use of the ethanol removal device 110A. The ethanol removal device 110A is basically used with the guide section 112 and housing 111 placed on the surface 11a of the bed 11, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0077] As shown in Figure 7, the ethanol removal device 110A may be used to guide air containing ethanol generated from the alcohol swab Y placed on the surface 11a to the intake section 111c, with the tip of the wall portion 112b of the guide portion 112 in contact with the surface 11a of the bed 11, and tilted at a predetermined angle θ (0 ≤ < θ < 90°) from the surface 11a. In other words, the ethanol removal device 110A may be used to guide air to the intake section 111c from a direction that is not perpendicular to the surface 11a of the bed 11.

[0078] Furthermore, in the ethanol removal device 110A shown in Figure 7, the wall portion 112b may be made of an elastic material so that the tip of the wall portion 112b is slightly bent to increase the area in contact with the bed 11.

[0079] Furthermore, the wall portion 112b of the ethanol removal device 110A shown in Figure 7 may be cut out in part on the bed 11 side.

[0080] As shown in Figure 7, when the ethanol removal device 110A is used at an angle, the ethanol removal device 110A may be supported by leaning the exhaust port 111d side of the housing 111 against the partition 12. The partition 12 and the ethanol removal device 110A may be integrated. However, the configuration for supporting the ethanol removal device 110A at an angle is not limited to these. For example, a support member (not shown) having an inclined surface may be installed on the surface 11a of the bed, and the ethanol removal device 110A may be supported by the inclined surface of this support member. The support member and the ethanol removal device 110A may be integrated.

[0081] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, if the ethanol removal device 110A is tilted and supported, it becomes possible to perform treatment by inserting fingers or other objects from below the ethanol removal device 110A (between the bed 11 and the ethanol removal device 110A).

[0082] (Drive control of ethanol removal device) The ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A of the embodiments 1, 2, and 3 described above are configured to start and stop the fan inside the suction unit 115 by turning the power on and off. This power source may be a battery (primary battery, rechargeable battery, etc.), an external power source, or a combination of an external power source and a rechargeable battery. When the ethanol removal device is installed in the incubator each time it is used, a battery is preferred as the power source, and when the ethanol removal device is permanently installed in the incubator, an external power source is preferred. Normally, when performing treatment on patient X in the containment chamber 101, the practitioner (doctor or nurse) turns on the power to start the fan in the suction unit 115. Furthermore, the suction force in the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A can be adjusted by the rotation speed of the fan inside the suction unit 115, so that the ethanol can be appropriately aspirated and removed by changing the rotation speed of the fan according to the concentration of ethanol to be removed.

[0083] Furthermore, the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A of embodiments 1, 2, and 3 each have a function to display their operating status (drive status). The function to display the drive status means explicitly displaying whether or not the device is running, whether or not it is stopped, whether or not the filter (activated carbon in the removal section) needs to be replaced, whether or not a problem has occurred, whether or not the battery is low, etc. In this case, the drive status may be displayed on a display panel, or it may be indicated by lighting up a lamp corresponding to the drive status. This prevents operators from forgetting to operate the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A. In addition, the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A can display a message prompting the user to replace the filter.

[0084] Furthermore, the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A of embodiments 1, 2, and 3 are all designed to have a low height when laid down, so as not to interfere with work inside the incubator 1(2). In addition, it is preferable that the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A are sized to allow easy insertion and removal of adsorbent material from the opening 101a of the incubator 1(2) when replacing the adsorbent material in the removal section. It is also preferable that the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A of embodiments 1, 2, and 3 have a mass (for example, 120g) that is easy to handle and insert from the opening 101a of the incubator 1(2). In this way, the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A can be used inside existing incubators in the ward.

[0085] [Embodiment 4] One embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0086] <Overview of the purification system> Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of the purification device 120. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Figure 8.

[0087] As shown in Figure 8, the purification device 120 includes two integrally formed housings (first housing 121 and second housing 122). Here, an example is shown in which separate housings (first housing 121 and second housing 122) are connected to form a single housing. Alternatively, the two housings (first housing 121 and second housing 122) may be molded as a single housing. The front surface 121a of the first housing 121 is provided with an intake section 121b for taking in outside air. The rear part of the first housing 121, including the rear surface, is internally connected to the second housing 122 at the bottom surface 121c of the first housing 121, and the outside air drawn in by the intake section 121b is guided to the second housing 122. The rear part of the first housing 121 is located downstream of the front surface 121a in the direction from the intake section 121b to the exhaust section 122b (hereinafter referred to as the exhaust direction). In other words, the front surface 121a is located upstream of the rear of the first housing 121 in the exhaust direction. The front surface of the second housing 122 is the rear part including the rear surface of the first housing 121 and is connected to the bottom surface 121c of the first housing 121. The rear surface 122a of the second housing 122 (the surface opposite to the side communicating with the first housing 121) is provided with an exhaust section 122b (Figure 9) for exhausting outside air. The front surface of the second housing 122 is located upstream of the rear surface 122a in the exhaust direction; in other words, the rear surface 122a is located downstream of the second housing 122 in the exhaust direction.

[0088] As shown in Figure 9, the purification device 120 has an inverted L-shaped cross-section and is installed on the partition section 12 within the housing chamber 101. That is, the purification device 120 is installed above the mounting surface. The purification device 120 is provided with fixing parts for fixing the first housing 121 and the second housing 122 to the inner edge of the housing chamber 101. Specifically, on the lower surface 121c of the first housing 121, a projection 121d is provided as a fixing part, which protrudes downward and is parallel to the side surface 122c of the second housing 122 and at a predetermined distance from the side surface 122c. The projection 121d is a member made of, for example, resin, having a predetermined height and a predetermined width, and is provided integrally with the first housing 121. Figure 9 shows an example in which the projection 121d is connected to the first housing 121 to form a single housing. Alternatively, the first housing 121 and the projection 121d may be molded together to form a single housing.

[0089] The projection 121d is positioned such that the distance between the projection 121d and the side surface 122c of the second housing 122 is slightly longer than the thickness of the partition 12 of the housing chamber 101. This allows the purification device 120 to be stably installed on the partition 12, which is located on the inner edge of the housing chamber 101, by sandwiching the partition 12 between the side surface 122c of the second housing 122 and the projection 121d of the first housing 121. In this way, the projection 121d allows the first housing 121 and the second housing 122 to be fixed to the partition 12, which is a wall portion erected on the inner edge of the housing chamber 101. Thus, the first housing 121 and the second housing 122, i.e., the main body of the purification device 120, are erected on the inner edge of the housing chamber 101 and fixed to the partition 12 by the fixing part, the projection 121d. Therefore, the purification device 120 does not interfere with medical procedures performed on the child X inside the incubator 1. The projection 121d may be configured to be detachable from the partition 12 provided on the inner edge of the containment chamber 101.

[0090] Thus, it is preferable to install the purification device 120 in a position that does not interfere with medical procedures. Furthermore, it is preferable that the exhaust direction of the purification device 120 (the direction in which the air from which ethanol has been removed is exhausted) is such that it does not obstruct the circulation of air inside the incubator 1 and does not come into contact with the patient X. This ensures that the incubator 1 maintains its functions (such as maintaining temperature and humidity) and that the air does not come into contact with the patient X, thereby preventing the patient X from losing body heat or accelerating water loss due to insensible perspiration, thus ensuring the safety of the patient X. In this specification, the air inside the incubator 1 refers to the air inside the containment chamber 101 of a closed-type incubator 1.

[0091] Furthermore, the projections 121d provided on the first housing 121 are continuously provided in the width direction of the first housing 121 (in a direction perpendicular to the exhaust direction within the first housing 121).

[0092] The first housing 121 includes a first removal section 124 and a suction section 125. The first removal section 124 is made of fibrous activated carbon and quickly adsorbs most of the ethanol contained in the outside air drawn in from the intake section 121b. Therefore, if the amount of ethanol contained in the outside air is small, all of the ethanol will be adsorbed in the first removal section 124. In this embodiment, sheet-shaped activated carbon, which is fibrous activated carbon molded into a sheet shape, is used.

[0093] The first removal unit 124 is a cartridge type containing a sheet of activated carbon in a container that can be attached and detached from the upper side of the first housing 121. This makes it easy to replace the first removal unit 124. The sheet of activated carbon is disposable. Therefore, the first removal unit 124 is replaced as follows: The sheet of activated carbon contained in the first removal unit 124 removed from the first housing 121 is discarded, a new sheet of activated carbon is placed in the first removal unit 124, and the first removal unit 114 is reattached to the first housing 121.

[0094] The suction unit 125 consists of a single sirocco fan, which draws in outside air from the intake unit 121b via the first removal unit 124 and blows it to the subsequent second removal unit 126, which is perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the fan. Here, the intake volume in the suction unit 125 is 50 L / min or more, but is not limited to this. In order to draw in a large volume of air, it is preferable that the intake area of ​​the suction unit 125 be large.

[0095] The second housing 122 includes a second removal unit 126. The second removal unit 126 is a cartridge type containing pelletized activated carbon in a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the second housing 122. This makes it easy to replace the second removal unit 126. Also, since the pelletized activated carbon is disposable, the pelletized activated carbon contained in the second removal unit 126 that has been removed for replacement is discarded, new pelletized activated carbon is placed inside, and the second removal unit 126 is reattached to the second housing 122.

[0096] The exhaust direction of the air (air from which ethanol has been removed) discharged from the exhaust section 122b of the purification device 120 with the above configuration is set in a direction that does not obstruct the circulation of air inside the incubator 1.

[0097] As shown in Figure 19, for example, the incubator 1 comprises a water tank 17, a heating unit 18, a heater 19, and a fan 20. The water tank 17 contains water. The heating unit 18 is located inside the water tank 17 and generates steam by heating the water contained in the water tank 17. The steam generated by the heating unit 18 is circulated within the containment chamber 101 by the fan 20. The water tank 17, heating unit 18, heater 19, and fan 20 are examples of a circulation unit 410. The water tank 17 and heating unit 18 are examples of humidification means, and the heater 19 is an example of a heating means.

[0098] Meanwhile, the purification device 120 is fixed to a partition 12 provided on the bed 11, and draws in air from the containment chamber 101 through the intake 121b and exhausts it through the exhaust 122b. The air exhausted from the exhaust 122b is exhausted to the bottom of the bed 11 through the gap between the partition 12 of the bed 11 of the incubator 1 and the inner wall surface of the containment chamber 101. The air exhausted to the bottom of the bed 11 (air from which ethanol has been removed) is drawn in by the fan 20 along with the steam generated in the heating unit 18. Therefore, the exhaust direction of the purification device 120 coincides with the intake direction of the incubator 1.

[0099] Furthermore, within the incubator 1, air circulating within the incubator 1 is drawn to the bottom of the bed 11 through the gap between the partition 12 of the bed 11 and the inner wall surface of the containment chamber 101. Therefore, if there is sufficient space in the gap between the partition 12 of the bed 11 and the inner wall surface of the containment chamber 101, it is preferable to install the purification device 120 on the partition 12 of the bed 11. This makes it possible to make the exhaust direction of the purification device 220 the same as the circulation direction of the air circulating within the incubator 1.

[0100] As described above, the first removal section 124 in the first housing 121 uses sheet-shaped activated carbon as an adsorbent to quickly adsorb a large amount of high-concentration ethanol, while the second removal section 126 in the second housing 122 uses pellet-shaped activated carbon as an adsorbent to slowly and completely adsorb any ethanol that was not adsorbed by the first removal section 114.

[0101] In other words, as shown in Figure 9, the first removal unit 124 is located closer to the intake unit 121b than the second removal unit 126. That is, the first removal unit 124 is located upstream of the airflow drawn in by the suction unit 125, and the second removal unit is located downstream. Therefore, the air drawn in from the intake unit 121b has ethanol removed by the first removal unit 124, which is located closer to the intake unit 121b (upstream of the airflow), and then the ethanol is removed by the second removal unit 126, which is located downstream of the airflow. Thus, any ethanol that was not removed by the first removal unit 124 can be removed by the second removal unit 126.

[0102] One of the conditions for achieving the adsorption characteristics of the sheet-shaped activated carbon used in the first removal section 124 described above is that the surface area in contact with the aspirated air is large.

[0103] Therefore, the outside air drawn in from the intake section 121b of the first housing 121 has a large amount of ethanol quickly adsorbed by the first removal section 124, and furthermore, the ethanol is completely adsorbed by the second removal section 126, so the outside air exhausted from the exhaust section 122b contains almost no ethanol.

[0104] The purification device 120 is preferably installed inside the containment chamber 101 of the incubator 1, as shown in Figure 1. By installing the purification device 120 inside the containment chamber 101 in this way, ethanol can be removed from the air inside the containment chamber 101. This prevents the patient X inside the containment chamber 101 of the incubator 1 from being unintentionally exposed to ethanol.

[0105] Normally, the temperature and humidity of the air in the containment chamber 101 in the incubator 1 are controlled. Therefore, as described above, the purification device 120 draws in air from the containment chamber 101, quickly removes a large amount of ethanol from the air by the first removal unit 124 of the first housing 121, guides the air to the second removal unit 126 in the second housing 122, and exhausts the air from which all ethanol has been removed by the second removal unit 126 back into the containment chamber 101. This makes it possible to remove ethanol from the containment chamber 101 while maintaining the temperature and humidity inside the chamber.

[0106] In the above embodiment 4, a purification device 120 was described in which a first housing 121 including a suction unit 125 and a second housing 122 including a second removal unit 126 were integrated. In this case, even if the housings are made slimmer, it is difficult to slim down the fan that constitutes the suction unit 125 contained in the first housing 121, so depending on the incubator 1, it may be difficult to install it on the partition 12 of the bed 11 in the containment chamber 101. Therefore, in the below embodiment 5, a purification device is described that can exhaust purified air to the bed 11 even when there is little space between the partition 12 of the bed 11 in the incubator 1 and the containment chamber 101.

[0107] [Embodiment 5] Other embodiments of the present invention are described below. For the sake of clarity, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0108] <Overview of the purification system> Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of the purification device 220 according to this embodiment. The purification device 220 has almost the same structure as the purification device 120 of Embodiment 1, the only difference being the exhaust structure for the outside air from which ethanol has been removed. The correspondence between each element constituting the purification device 220 and each element constituting the purification device 120 of Embodiment 1 is as follows: The first housing 221 corresponds to the first housing 121, the second housing 222 corresponds to the second housing 122, the front surface 221a corresponds to the front surface 121a, the intake section 221b corresponds to the intake section 121b, and the top surface 221c corresponds to the bottom surface 121c. Furthermore, the first housing 221, like the first housing 121, is equipped with a first removal section 124 and a suction section 125 inside, and the second housing 222, like the second housing 122, is equipped with a second removal section 126 inside. However, in the second housing 222, outside air after ethanol adsorption is exhausted through a tube 223 provided on the side surface 222a. The tube 223 is a flexible tube of a predetermined length, and the exhaust port 223a can be directed in a desired direction.

[0109] The purification device 220 with the above configuration is placed under the bed 11 of the containment chamber 101 with the first housing 221 facing downwards, and the exhaust port 223a of the tube 223 is also placed under the bed 11. Here, the exhaust port 223a is positioned so that the direction in which the air is exhausted, i.e., the direction of exhaust, is the same as the direction in which the air circulates within the containment chamber 101. As a result, the purification device 220 can draw in air containing ethanol under the bed 11 and circulate the air from which the ethanol has been removed under the bed 11 into the containment chamber 101.

[0110] Furthermore, since the purification device 220 is placed and used under the bed 11, it becomes possible to enlarge the fan inside the suction unit 125, thereby increasing the suction power. In other words, within the range in which the purification device 220 can be placed in the space under the bed 11 in the accommodation chamber 101, it is possible to enlarge the fan inside the suction unit 125 and increase the suction power. Thus, by placing the purification device 220 under the bed 11, there is no need to install the purification device 220 on the partition 12 of the bed 11. Therefore, placing the purification device 220 under the bed 11 is preferable when the gap between the partition 12 of the bed 11 and the inner surface of the accommodation chamber 101 is not large, that is, when it is spatially difficult to install the purification device 220 on the partition 12.

[0111] [Embodiment 6] Other embodiments of the present invention are described below. For the sake of clarity, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0112] <Overview of the purification system> Figure 11 is a perspective view of the purification device 230 according to this embodiment. Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the purification device shown in Figure 11. In the above embodiment 5, an example of a configuration in which the first housing 221 and the second housing 222 of the purification device 220 are integrated was described, but it is not limited to this, and a configuration such as the purification device 230 shown in Figures 11 and 12 may also be used. The purification device 230 has a structure in which the first housing 231 and the second housing 232 are separated and connected by a tube 233. The first housing 231 of the purification device 230 corresponds to the first housing 221 of the purification device 220, and the second housing 232 corresponds to the second housing 222.

[0113] The first housing 231 is equipped with a suction section 125, which draws in air from the front 231a and exhausts it from the rear 231b. An opening (not shown) that communicates with the inside of the first housing 231 is formed on the front 231a of the first housing 231, and a tube 233 is connected to this opening. This tube 233 is the same as the tube 223 of the purification device 220 shown in Figure 10.

[0114] The second housing 232 has a substantially L-shaped cross-section and is equipped with a first removal section 124 and a second removal section 126. Air introduced from the front surface 232a is exhausted from the rear surface 232b via the first and second removal sections 124 and 126. An opening (not shown) communicating with the interior of the second housing 232 is formed in the rear surface 232b of the second housing 232, and a tube 233 is connected to this opening. Therefore, the air exhausted from the second housing 232 is drawn in by the first housing 231 through the tube 233.

[0115] Furthermore, the first removal unit 124 adsorbs ethanol using the same sheet-shaped activated carbon as the first removal unit 124 in Embodiment 4, and the second removal unit 126 adsorbs ethanol using the same pellet-shaped activated carbon as the second removal unit 126 in Embodiment 1. In addition, in the first removal unit 124 and the second removal unit 126, in order to remove ethanol, ethanol may be decomposed by a catalyst in addition to adsorbing ethanol with an adsorbent.

[0116] The first housing 231 is installed below the bed 11, i.e., below the mounting surface, and the second housing 232 is installed above the partition 12 of the bed 11, i.e., above the mounting surface. In this case, the side surface 232d of the second housing 232 is installed close to the partition 12. At this time, the same projection as the projection 121d described in Embodiment 1 is provided on the lower surface 232c of the upper side of the second housing 232, and this projection fixes the second housing 232 to the partition 12. Accordingly, in the state shown in Figure 12, the purification device 230 draws in air containing ethanol from the front surface 232a of the second housing 232, the air from which ethanol has been removed by the first removal section 124 and the second removal section 126 inside the second housing 232 is drawn in by the suction section 125 of the first housing 231 via the tube 233, and exhausted from the rear surface 231b of the first housing 231 into the space below the bed 11.

[0117] With the purification device 230 configured as described above, the size of the first housing 231, including the suction unit 125, is not limited by the size between the partition unit 12 and the surrounding wall of the incubator 1's chamber 101. By increasing the size of the suction unit 125, the size of the fan can be increased, thereby increasing the suction volume. Furthermore, the sizes of the first removal unit 124 and the second removal unit 126 in the second housing 232 can be increased, making it possible to improve the amount of ethanol adsorbed and the durability of the adsorbent material.

[0118] Furthermore, the corners of the bent portion of the second housing 232 (the parts opposite to the point where the lower surface 232c and the side surface 232d intersect) are chamfered. This allows the range of motion of the second housing 232 between the partition 12 and the surrounding wall of the storage chamber 101 to be increased.

[0119] (Drive control of the purification system) The purification devices 120, 220, and 230 of embodiments 4, 5, and 6 are configured to start and stop the fan inside the internal suction unit 125 by turning the power on and off. This power source may be a battery (primary battery, rechargeable battery, etc.), an external power source, or a combination of an external power source and a rechargeable battery. When the purification device is installed in the incubator each time it is used, a battery is preferred as the power source, and when the purification device is permanently installed in the incubator, an external power source is preferred. Normally, when the purification device is permanently installed in the incubator and operates continuously, an external power source is preferred. Normally, when treating child X in the containment chamber 101, the practitioner (doctor or nurse) turns on the power to start the fan in the suction unit 125. Furthermore, the suction force in the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 can be adjusted by the rotation speed of the fan inside the suction unit 125, so that the ethanol can be properly aspirated and removed by changing the rotation speed of the fan according to the concentration of ethanol to be removed.

[0120] Furthermore, the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 of embodiments 4, 5, and 6 each have a function to display their operating status (drive status). The function to display the drive status means explicitly displaying whether or not they are running, whether or not they are stopped, whether or not the filter (activated carbon in the removal section) needs to be replaced, whether or not a problem has occurred, whether or not the battery is low, etc. In this case, the drive status may be displayed on a display panel, or it may be indicated by lighting up a lamp corresponding to the drive status. This prevents operators from forgetting to operate the purification devices 120, 220, and 230. In addition, the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 can display a message prompting the user to replace the filter.

[0121] Furthermore, it is preferable that the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 of the embodiments 4, 5, and 6 have a mass (for example, 150g) that is easy to insert and remove from the opening 101a of the incubator 1 and easy to handle.

[0122] (Effects of Incubator 1) The incubator 1 with the above configuration is equipped with an ethanol removal device 110 and a purification device 120, which serve as removal units to remove ethanol from the air inside the containment chamber 101. The incubator 1 also includes a circulation unit 410 for circulating air into the containment chamber 101, a supply unit 420 for supplying air from outside the containment chamber 101 into the containment chamber 101, and a discharge unit 430 for discharging at least a portion of the air inside the containment chamber 101 to the outside of the containment chamber 101. The incubator 1 can reduce the ethanol concentration in the air inside the containment chamber 101 by supplying air from outside the containment chamber 101 into the containment chamber 101. In addition, the incubator 1 can remove ethanol from the air inside the containment chamber 101 by the ethanol removal device 110 and the purification device 120, which are removal units, while circulating the air inside the containment chamber 101. This makes it possible to avoid unintentional exposure of the child X inside the incubator 1 to ethanol.

[0123] In the above embodiment 1, an example was described in which the incubator 1 is equipped with a circulation unit 410, a supply unit 420, a discharge unit 430, and a removal unit (ethanol removal device 110, purification device 120) that constitute an air conditioning system. However, the removal unit may also be incorporated into the incubator 1. For example, a heater for adjusting temperature and humidity may be provided on the back side of the bed in the incubator 1 (the side opposite to where the child X is sleeping), and one purification device 120 may be provided near where the heater is installed.

[0124] Alternatively, at least one of the ethanol removal device 110 and the purification device 120 may be placed within the circulation unit 410 shown in Figure 1. In this case, since the circulation unit 410 is already equipped with a suction unit, an adsorbent that adsorbs ethanol, or a catalyst that decomposes ethanol, should be placed in the airflow path within the circulation unit 410.

[0125] The following Embodiment 7 describes an example in which each component of the air conditioning system (circulation unit 410, supply unit 420, discharge unit 430) and the removal unit (ethanol removal device 110, purification device 120) are provided outside the incubator 1.

[0126] [Embodiment 7] Other embodiments of the present invention are described below. For the sake of clarity, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0127] <Childcare System> Figure 13 is a schematic block diagram of the nursery system 501 according to this embodiment 7. Note that the configuration of the nursery system 501 shown in Figure 13 is just one example and can take various forms. As shown in Figure 13, the nursery system 501 includes an incubator 1A, an air conditioning unit 401, and a removal device (removal mechanism) 402. The incubator 1A has almost the same configuration as the incubator 1 of embodiment 1, but differs in that it has an air conditioning unit 401 for adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air in the containment chamber 101 and a removal device 402 for removing ethanol contained in the air in the containment chamber 101, which are provided separately from the incubator 1.

[0128] The air conditioning unit 401 includes a circulation unit (circulation mechanism) 410, a supply unit (supply mechanism) 420, and a discharge unit (discharge mechanism) 430. The functions of the circulation unit 410, the supply unit 420, and the discharge unit 430 were described in Embodiment 1 above, so they are omitted here. The air conditioning unit 401 and the containment chamber 101 of the incubator 1A are connected by an air tube, and the circulation unit 410 sends air whose temperature and humidity have been adjusted to the containment chamber 101 via the air tube. On the other hand, the supply unit 420 of the air conditioning unit 401 supplies fresh air (clean air: medical gas) to the containment chamber 101 via the air tube, and the discharge unit 430 of the air conditioning unit 401 discharges at least a portion of the air in the containment chamber 101 to the outside of the containment chamber 101 via the air tube. The discharge unit 430 discharges approximately the same amount of air as the amount of air supplied to the containment chamber 101 from the supply unit 420. Therefore, if the air in the containment chamber 101 contains ethanol, the ethanol will also be discharged from the discharge section 430 along with the air, thus lowering the ethanol concentration in the containment chamber 101. In this way, it is possible to lower the ethanol concentration in the containment chamber 101 to some extent by using the air conditioning device 401. However, in order to actively lower the ethanol concentration in the containment chamber 101, it is necessary to use the removal device 402.

[0129] The removal device 402 is connected to the containment chamber 101 by an air tube, similar to the air conditioning unit 401. It draws in air from the containment chamber 101, removes the ethanol contained in the drawn-in air, and sends the ethanol-free air back into the containment chamber 101. In this way, by actively removing ethanol from the containment chamber 101 with the removal device 402, the ethanol concentration in the containment chamber 101 can be significantly reduced.

[0130] The removal device 402, in its basic structure, has an intake section, similar to the ethanol removal device 110 and the purification device 120. The intake section adsorbs and removes ethanol contained in the air drawn in from the containment chamber 101 using pelletized activated carbon or the like, and the air from which the ethanol has been adsorbed and removed is returned to the containment chamber 101.

[0131] Furthermore, since the removal device 402 is located outside the containment chamber 101, as shown in Figure 1, there is no need to place the removal device 402 inside the containment chamber 101. This increases the space available for treating patient X inside the containment chamber 101, making the treatment easier.

[0132] According to the above configuration of the incubator system 501, the air conditioning unit 401 supplies air from outside the containment chamber 101 into the containment chamber 101 to reduce the ethanol concentration in the air inside the containment chamber 101, while the removal unit 402 removes the ethanol from the air inside the containment chamber 101. As a result, the ethanol concentration inside the containment chamber 101 of the incubator 1A can be significantly reduced, thus preventing the sick child X inside the incubator 1A from being unintentionally exposed to ethanol.

[0133] [Embodiment 8] Other embodiments of this disclosure are described below. For the sake of clarity, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are not repeated.

[0134] <Incubator> Figure 20 is a schematic perspective view of a closed-type incubator 3 according to Embodiment 8 of the present disclosure. In Figure 20, the incubator 3 according to Embodiment 8 comprises a containment chamber 101 capable of containing a sick child X, a mounting platform 102 on which the containment chamber 101 is placed, and a bed 11 having a surface 11a as a mounting surface on which the sick child X is placed. The containment chamber 101 is also provided with a blower 520 capable of blowing air so that air flows in one direction along the surface 11a within the containment chamber 101, and a removal unit 110K installed downstream of the aforementioned one-way airflow (indicated by arrow FL2 in Figure 20) relative to the containment chamber 101, which removes volatile substances, such as ethanol, from the air inside the containment chamber 101.

[0135] Furthermore, in the incubator 3, a partition section 12 is provided, with a first partition section 12U on the upstream side of the airflow in the aforementioned one direction and a second partition section 12D on the downstream side of the airflow, so that the child X is positioned between them in that one direction. In other words, in the incubator 3, as shown in Figure 20, the child X is laid on the surface 11a of the bed 11 between the first partition section 12U and the second partition section 12D, with its head and feet close to the first partition section 12U and the second partition section 12D, respectively. Note that the second partition section 12D is an example of a partition as described in the claims.

[0136] Furthermore, in the incubator 3 of this embodiment 8, although not shown, a circulation unit 410 similar to that in Figure 1 is located at the bottom of the bed 11. In the incubator 3 of this embodiment 8, the blower unit 520 is configured to utilize the air from the circulation unit 410 as air in the aforementioned one direction. Specifically, in the incubator 3, the blower unit 520 is incorporated into, for example, the first partition unit 12U. The blower unit 520 also takes in air from the supply port (not shown) of the circulation unit 410, as indicated by arrow FL1 in Figure 20, and blows it downstream in the aforementioned one direction, as indicated by arrow FL2. In addition, the incubator 3 of this embodiment 8 does not have a device to actively discharge the air from the incubator 3 to the outside of the incubator 3, as shown in Figure 1 of the embodiment 1. Instead, the air inside the incubator 3 can be discharged to the outside of the incubator 3 through the opening 101a of the containment chamber 101, the small gap between the containment chamber 101 and the mounting base 102, etc.

[0137] Furthermore, in the incubator 3 of this embodiment 8, air whose temperature and humidity have been adjusted by a circulation unit 410 located beneath the bed 11 is guided along the inner wall on the long side of the incubator 3 from beneath the bed 11 to the upper part of the containment chamber 101. In addition, in the incubator 3, air from above the bed 11 is guided along the inner wall on the short side of the incubator 3 to the circulation unit 410 beneath the bed 11. In this way, in the incubator 3, air is circulated in such a way that the patient X is less affected by temperature changes due to airflow.

[0138] As described above, in the incubator 3 of this embodiment 8, it is possible to keep the air inside the incubator 3 clean and maintain appropriate temperature and humidity while minimizing the influence of airflow inside the incubator 3 on the patient X in the containment chamber 101. In other words, in the incubator 3 of this embodiment, it is possible to easily perform appropriate temperature and humidity control of the air inside the containment chamber 101.

[0139] Furthermore, the air blower 520 includes an inlet for introducing air from the supply port of the circulation unit 410 and an outlet (not shown) for leading out the air introduced into the inlet along the aforementioned one direction. In addition, the air blower 520 is provided with, for example, a louver (not shown) for adjusting the airflow between the inlet and the outlet. The air blower 520 is capable of using the air from the circulation unit 410 to blow the air inside the containment chamber 101 from the head side to the foot side of the patient X. Note that the installation of the louver may be omitted from this description.

[0140] In addition to or instead of the above description, a blower (not shown), such as a fan, may be provided in the blower unit 520, and the blower may be operated in response to user instructions on the operation panel 102a, for example. However, it is preferable that the blower unit 520 has a configuration that allows for easy control of the amount of airflow to the patient X, such as the louvers and / or blower, between the inlet and outlet, as this makes it easier to suppress the effect of the unidirectional airflow on the patient X.

[0141] In the above description, we have described the case in which air is flowed from the head side to the foot side of the child X. However, this disclosure is not limited to cases in which air is flowed in one direction along the surface (placement surface) 11a within the containment chamber 101, and the air may be flowed from the left side (or right side) of the child X to the right side (or left side) of the child X. For example, in this disclosure, the airflow within the containment chamber 101 can be appropriately changed by changing the installation location and opening area of ​​the supply port of the circulation unit 410, and / or the installation location and number of blowers 520. However, as described above, the case in which air is flowed from the head side to the foot side of the child X, along the longitudinal direction of the surface (placement surface) 11a of the incubator 3 and bed 11, is preferable because it can reliably keep volatile substances such as ethanol away from the head side of the child X.

[0142] Furthermore, in the incubator 3 of this embodiment 8, the removal unit 110K is incorporated into, for example, the second partition unit 12D. Similar to embodiment 1, this removal unit 110K has, for example, crushed activated carbon 114a as a replaceable removal member, and the removal unit 110K draws in air from the blower unit 520 as indicated by arrow FL2. In other words, the second partition unit 12D has the intake port of the removal unit 110K on the side facing the foot side of the child X, and the intake port of the removal unit 110K is configured to draw in air flowing from the first partition unit 12U toward the second partition unit as indicated by arrow FL2. The removal unit 110K then removes volatile substances such as ethanol using activated carbon 114a, similar to embodiment 1. Since the intake port of the removal unit 110K is located in the second partition unit 12D on the downstream side of the unidirectional airflow within the containment chamber 101, it is easy to make the incubator 1 more compact, thus avoiding unintentional exposure to volatile substances. Furthermore, since the removal member of the removal unit 110K is incorporated into the second partition unit 12D, it is even easier to make the incubator 1 more compact, thus avoiding unintentional exposure to volatile substances.

[0143] Furthermore, as shown by arrow FL3 in Figure 20, the removal unit 110K directs the air from which volatile substances have been removed toward the intake port (not shown) of the circulation unit 410. In the circulation unit 410, the air is circulated from the intake port to the supply port as shown by arrow FL4 in Figure 20 (similarly, in embodiments 9 and 10 described later, the air is circulated below the surface 11a).

[0144] In this embodiment 8, the incubator 3 was described in which the purification device 120 was omitted. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the purification device 120 may be installed as in embodiment 1 described above.

[0145] In addition to the above explanation, for example, the supply unit 420 shown in Figure 1 can be provided and function as a blower unit 520. In this case, the supply unit 420 blows air from outside the containment chamber 101 into the containment chamber 101 in one direction along arrow FL2, thereby also functioning as a blower unit 520, and thus the installation of the blower unit 520 can be omitted.

[0146] In addition to the above explanation, the incubator 3 may also be configured to include air whose temperature and humidity have been adjusted by the circulation unit 410 in the unidirectional airflow described above, and to flow sequentially as shown by arrows FL1, FL2, and FL3.

[0147] <Childcare System> Furthermore, the nursery system according to this embodiment 8 comprises an incubator 3, a blowing mechanism capable of blowing air so that air flows in one direction along the surface (mounting surface) 11a within the containment chamber 101, and a removal mechanism installed downstream of the unidirectional airflow to the containment chamber 101, which removes ethanol as a volatile substance from the air inside the containment chamber 101. The blowing mechanism can be configured using a blowing unit 520. The removal mechanism can be configured using a removal unit 110K. Therefore, the nursery system of this embodiment 8 includes the incubator 3, the blowing unit 520, and the removal unit 110K.

[0148] <Removal method> Furthermore, the removal method according to this embodiment 8 is a method for removing ethanol (volatile substance) from the containment chamber 101 of an incubator 3, which comprises a containment chamber 101 capable of containing a patient X, a mounting platform 102 on which the containment chamber 101 is placed, and a bed 11 having a surface (mounting surface) 11a on which the patient X is placed. Furthermore, the removal method of this embodiment includes the following blowing step (S11) and removal step (S12): • Blowing step (S11): Blow air into the containment chamber 101 so that air flows in one direction along the surface 11a. • Removal step (S12): On the downstream side of the unidirectional airflow relative to the containment chamber 101, remove ethanol from the air inside the containment chamber 101.

[0149] In the incubator 3 and the incubation system using it described above, the blower unit (blowing mechanism) 520 blows air in the containment chamber 101 so that air flows in one direction along the surface 11a. The removal unit (removal mechanism) 110K is installed downstream of the unidirectional airflow relative to the containment chamber 101 and removes ethanol from the air in the containment chamber 101. This prevents the child X in the incubator 3 from being unintentionally exposed to ethanol.

[0150] Furthermore, in the above removal method, the blowing step blows air into the containment chamber 101 so that it flows in one direction along the surface 11a. In the removal step, ethanol is removed from the air in the containment chamber 101 downstream of the unidirectional airflow to the containment chamber 101. This prevents the child X in the incubator 3 from being unintentionally exposed to ethanol.

[0151] [Embodiment 9] Other embodiments of this disclosure are described below. For the sake of clarity, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are not repeated.

[0152] <Incubator> Figure 21 is a schematic perspective view of an incubator 4 according to Embodiment 9 of the present disclosure. In Figure 21, the incubator 4 according to Embodiment 9 comprises a containment chamber 101 capable of containing a sick child X, a mounting platform 102 on which the containment chamber 101 is placed, and a bed 11 having a surface 11a as a mounting surface on which the sick child X is placed. The containment chamber 101 is also provided with a blower 520 capable of blowing air so that air flows in one direction along the surface 11a within the containment chamber 101, and a removal unit 110K installed downstream of the aforementioned one-way airflow (indicated by arrow FL5 in Figure 21) relative to the containment chamber 101, which removes volatile substances, such as ethanol, from the air inside the containment chamber 101.

[0153] Furthermore, in the incubator 4 of this embodiment 9, similar to the incubator 3 of embodiment 8, a first partition section 12U is provided on the upstream side of the airflow in the aforementioned one direction, and a second partition section 12D is provided on the downstream side of the airflow, so that the sick child X is positioned between them in that one direction. In addition, in the incubator 4 of this embodiment 9, similar to the incubator 3 of embodiment 8, the removal section 110K having the removal member is incorporated into the second partition section 12D. As a result, the incubator 4 of this embodiment 9 has the same effect as the incubator 3 of embodiment 8.

[0154] Furthermore, unlike the incubator 3 of Embodiment 8, the air blower 520 of this embodiment 9 is installed, for example, near the first partition 12U. The air blower 520 also includes a fan or other air blowing device (not shown), and is configured to circulate air in one direction along arrow FL5 inside the containment chamber 101 by operating the air blowing device, for example, in response to the user's operating instructions to the operation panel 102a. Thus, in the incubator 4 of this embodiment 9, unlike the incubator 3 of Embodiment 8, the air from the circulation unit 410 is not used for the unidirectional airflow, and air can be blown from the head side to the foot side of the child X inside the containment chamber 101 independently of the circulation unit 410.

[0155] Furthermore, in the incubator 4 of this embodiment 9, similar to the incubator 3 of embodiment 8, the circulation unit 410 is located at the bottom of the bed 11. In the incubator 4 of this embodiment 9, for example, as illustrated by arrows FL6 and FL7 in Figure 21, air whose temperature and humidity have been adjusted by the circulation unit 410 is guided from the bottom of the bed 11 to the top of the containment chamber 101 along the inner wall on the long side of the incubator 3. As a result, in the incubator 4 of this embodiment 9, similar to the incubator 3 of embodiment 8, it is possible to keep the air inside the incubator 4 clean and maintain appropriate temperature and humidity while minimizing the influence of airflow inside the incubator 4 on the patient X in the containment chamber 101. In other words, in the incubator 4 of this embodiment, appropriate temperature and humidity control of the air inside the containment chamber 101 can be easily performed.

[0156] Furthermore, in the incubator 4 of this embodiment 9, the airflow from the circulation unit 410, whose temperature and humidity have been adjusted, is adjusted so as not to obstruct the airflow from the blower unit 520 as much as possible. As a result, in the incubator 4 of this embodiment 9, the deterioration of the ethanol removal function by the removal member of the removal unit 110K can be minimized.

[0157] Furthermore, in the incubator 4 of this embodiment 9, similar to the incubator 3 of embodiment 8, the removal unit 110K is configured to flow the air from which volatile substances have been removed toward the intake port of the circulation unit 410, as indicated by arrow FL8 in Figure 21. In addition, in the incubator 4 of this embodiment 9, within the containment chamber 101, an airflow may occur that goes over the second partition 12D and is drawn into the intake port from above the second partition 12D, as indicated by arrow FL9 in Figure 21 (similar airflow may occur in embodiment 8 and embodiment 10 described later).

[0158] In this embodiment 9, the incubator 4 was described in which the purification device 120 was omitted. However, this disclosure is not limited to this configuration, and the purification device 120 may be installed as in embodiment 1 described above.

[0159] In addition to the above explanation, the incubator 4 may also be configured to sequentially flow air whose temperature and humidity have been adjusted by the circulation unit 410, as shown by arrows FL5 and FL8, within the unidirectional airflow described above.

[0160] <Childcare System> Furthermore, the incubation system according to this embodiment 9 comprises an incubator 4, a blowing mechanism capable of blowing air so that it flows in one direction along the surface (mounting surface) 11a within the containment chamber 101, and a removal mechanism installed downstream of the unidirectional airflow to the containment chamber 101, which removes ethanol as a volatile substance from the air inside the containment chamber 101. The blowing mechanism can be configured using a blowing unit 520. The removal mechanism can be configured using a removal unit 110K. Therefore, the incubation system of this embodiment 9 includes the incubator 4, the blowing unit 520, and the removal unit 110K.

[0161] <Removal method> Furthermore, the removal method according to this embodiment 9 is a method for removing ethanol (volatile substance) from the containment chamber 101 of an incubator 4, which comprises a containment chamber 101 capable of containing a patient X, a mounting platform 102 on which the containment chamber 101 is placed, and a bed 11 having a surface (mounting surface) 11a on which the patient X is placed. Furthermore, the removal method of this embodiment includes the following blowing step (S11) and removal step (S12): • Blowing step (S11): Blow air into the containment chamber 101 so that air flows in one direction along the surface 11a. • Removal step (S12): On the downstream side of the unidirectional airflow relative to the containment chamber 101, remove ethanol from the air inside the containment chamber 101.

[0162] In the incubator 4 and the incubation system using it, the blower unit (blowing mechanism) 520 blows air in the containment chamber 101 so that air flows in one direction along the surface 11a. The removal unit (removal mechanism) 110K is installed downstream of the unidirectional airflow relative to the containment chamber 101 and removes ethanol from the air in the containment chamber 101. This prevents the child X in the incubator 4 from being unintentionally exposed to ethanol.

[0163] Furthermore, in the above removal method, the blowing step blows air into the containment chamber 101 so that it flows in one direction along the surface 11a. In the removal step, ethanol is removed from the air in the containment chamber 101 downstream of the unidirectional airflow to the containment chamber 101. This prevents the child X in the incubator 4 from being unintentionally exposed to ethanol.

[0164] [Embodiment 10] Other embodiments of this disclosure are described below. For the sake of clarity, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are not repeated.

[0165] <Incubator> Figure 22 is a schematic perspective view of an incubator 5 according to Embodiment 10 of the present disclosure. In Figure 22, the incubator 5 according to Embodiment 10 comprises a containment chamber 101 capable of containing a sick child X, a mounting platform 102 on which the containment chamber 101 is placed, and a bed 11 having a surface 11a as a mounting surface on which the sick child X is placed. The containment chamber 101 is also provided with a blower 520 capable of blowing air so that air flows in one direction along the surface 11a within the containment chamber 101, and a removal unit 110K installed downstream of the aforementioned one-way airflow (indicated by arrow FL2 in Figure 22) relative to the containment chamber 101, which removes volatile substances, such as ethanol, from the air inside the containment chamber 101.

[0166] Furthermore, in the incubator 5 of this embodiment 10, similar to the incubator 3 of embodiment 8, a first partition 12U is provided on the upstream side of the airflow in the aforementioned one direction, and a second partition 12D is provided on the downstream side of the airflow, so that the sick child X is positioned between them in that one direction.

[0167] Furthermore, in the incubator 5 of this embodiment 10, the circulation unit 410 is located below the bed 11, similar to the incubator 3 of embodiment 8. As a result, in the incubator 5 of this embodiment 10, similar to the incubator 3 of embodiment 8, it is possible to keep the air inside the incubator 5 clean and maintain appropriate temperature and humidity while minimizing the influence of airflow inside the incubator 5 on the patient X in the containment chamber 101. In other words, in the incubator 5 of this embodiment, appropriate temperature and humidity control of the air inside the containment chamber 101 can be easily performed.

[0168] Furthermore, in the incubator 5 of this embodiment 10, similar to the incubator 3 of embodiment 8, the air blower 520 is incorporated into the first partition 12U, and is configured to allow air from the circulation unit 410 to be used as air flowing in the aforementioned one direction. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and for example, the air from the circulation unit 410 may be flowed in the aforementioned one direction without providing the air blower 520 incorporated into the first partition 12U.

[0169] Furthermore, in the incubator 5 of this embodiment 10, the removal unit 110H is installed below the surface (mounting surface) 11a, for example, inside the bed stage 13, as shown in Figure 22. The removal unit 110H is also provided with an intake section that takes in air from above the second partition 12D, overcoming the second partition 12D, as indicated by arrow FL10 in Figure 22. The removal unit 110H also has a replaceable removal member, for example, made of activated carbon 114a. Furthermore, the removal unit 110H has an exhaust section that exhausts the air from which volatile substances have been removed by the removal member. This exhaust section has the same structure as the exhaust section 111d shown in Figure 3, for example.

[0170] In addition to the above description, the removal section 110H can also be installed inside the mounting base 102 or outside the containment chamber 101. However, as described above, when the removal section 110H, including the removal member and exhaust section, is installed inside the bed stage 13, or when the removal section 110H is installed inside the mounting base 102, the removal section 110H will be located below the surface (mounting surface) 11a. As a result, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to secure a separate space for installing the removal section 110H in addition to the space for installing the incubator 3.

[0171] In this embodiment 10, the incubator 5 was described in which the purification device 120 was omitted. However, this disclosure is not limited to this configuration, and the purification device 120 may be installed as in embodiment 1 described above.

[0172] <Childcare System> Furthermore, the incubation system according to this embodiment 10 comprises an incubator 5, a blowing mechanism capable of blowing air so that it flows in one direction along the surface (placement surface) 11a within the containment chamber 101, and a removal mechanism installed downstream of the unidirectional airflow to the containment chamber 101, which removes ethanol as a volatile substance from the air inside the containment chamber 101. The blowing mechanism can be configured using a blowing unit 520. The removal mechanism can be configured using a removal unit 110H. Therefore, the incubation system of this embodiment 10 includes the incubator 5, the blowing unit 520, and the removal unit 110H.

[0173] <Removal method> Furthermore, the removal method according to this embodiment 10 is a method for removing ethanol (volatile substance) from the containment chamber 101 of an incubator 5, which comprises a containment chamber 101 capable of containing a patient X, a mounting platform 102 on which the containment chamber 101 is placed, and a bed 11 having a surface (mounting surface) 11a on which the patient X is placed. Furthermore, the removal method of this embodiment includes the following blowing step (S11) and removal step (S12): • Blowing step (S11): Blow air into the containment chamber 101 so that air flows in one direction along the surface 11a. • Removal step (S12): On the downstream side of the unidirectional airflow relative to the containment chamber 101, remove ethanol from the air inside the containment chamber 101.

[0174] In the incubator 5 and the incubation system using it described above, the blower (blowing mechanism) 520 blows air in the containment chamber 101 so that air flows in one direction along the surface 11a. The removal unit (removal mechanism) 110H is installed downstream of the unidirectional airflow relative to the containment chamber 101 and removes ethanol from the air in the containment chamber 101. This prevents the child X in the incubator 5 from being unintentionally exposed to ethanol.

[0175] Furthermore, in the above removal method, the blowing step blows air into the containment chamber 101 so that it flows in one direction along the surface 11a. In the removal step, ethanol is removed from the air in the containment chamber 101 downstream of the unidirectional airflow to the containment chamber 101. This prevents the child X in the incubator 5 from being unintentionally exposed to ethanol.

[0176] [Variation 1] In the above embodiment 1, an example was described in which the containment chamber 101 is provided with two treatment openings 101a. However, the number of openings 101a only needs to be at least two, and may be three or more.

[0177] [Variation 2] In the above embodiment 1, an example was described in which the drive control of the ethanol removal device 110 is performed by operating the operation unit provided on each device. However, it may also be performed by operating the operation panel 102a provided on the incubator 1.

[0178] [Example 3] In the above embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 1, the incubator 1 circulates air within the incubator 1 by the circulation unit 410, supplies air into the incubator 1 from the supply unit 420, and discharges air outside the incubator 1 from the discharge unit 430, all located above the bed 11 in the containment chamber 101. In other words, the main air circulation in the incubator 1 shown in Figure 1 takes place above the bed 11 in the containment chamber 101. Therefore, the airflow to the patient X on the bed 11 in the containment chamber 101 may affect the temperature change inside the incubator 1. To minimize the effect of temperature changes due to airflow on the patient X on the bed 11 in the containment chamber 101, it is preferable to circulate air within the incubator 2, supply air into the incubator 2, and discharge air outside the incubator 2, for example, as shown in Figure 14 of the incubator 2, at the lower side of the bed 11 in the containment chamber 101. Furthermore, regarding the direction of air discharge from inside incubator 2 to outside incubator 2, it is preferable to discharge the air in a direction that does not obstruct the air circulation direction inside incubator 2 (for example, in the same direction as the circulation direction).

[0179] The incubator 2 shown in Figure 14 has the same circulation unit 410 and supply unit 420 as in Figure 1, located below the bed 11, although these are not shown. The incubator 2 shown in Figure 14 does not have a device to actively discharge the air from the incubator 2 to the outside, unlike the discharge unit 430 shown in Figure 1 of Embodiment 1. Instead, the air inside the incubator 2 is discharged to the outside through the opening 101a of the containment chamber 101, the small gap between the containment chamber 101 and the mounting base 102, etc.

[0180] In the incubator 2 shown in Figure 14, air whose temperature and humidity have been regulated by a circulation unit 410 located beneath the bed 11 is guided along the inner wall on the longer side of the incubator 2 from beneath the bed 11 to the upper part of the containment chamber 101. In addition, in the incubator 2, air from above the bed 11 is guided along the inner wall on the shorter side of the incubator 2 to the circulation unit 410 beneath the bed 11. In this way, in the incubator 2, the air is circulated in such a way that the patient X is less affected by temperature changes due to airflow.

[0181] Therefore, the incubator 2 shown in Figure 14 can keep the air inside the incubator 2 clean and maintain appropriate temperature and humidity while minimizing the influence of airflow on the patient X in the containment chamber 101.

[0182] [Variation 4] In the first embodiment described above, an example was given in which the intake section 111c provided in the ethanol removal device 110 is provided in parallel along the longitudinal direction of the front surface 111a of the housing 111. However, the invention is not limited to this, and it can be provided anywhere and in any structure as long as it can take in air. Also, in the first embodiment described above, an example was given in which the exhaust section 111d provided in the ethanol removal device 110 is provided on the rear surface 111b of the housing 111. However, the invention is not limited to this, and it can be provided anywhere and in any structure as long as it can exhaust air. Furthermore, the guide section 112 provided in the ethanol removal device 110 can have any structure as long as it can guide air to the intake section 111c.

[0183] [Variation 5] In the above embodiment 1, an example was described in which the first removal unit 114 is of cartridge type and can be attached to and detached from the housing 111. Similarly, it is preferable that the second removal unit 116 is also of cartridge type. In this case, the cartridge-type second removal unit 116 is attached to and detached from the top surface of the housing 111, similar to the first removal unit 114. Thus, if both the first removal unit 114 and the second removal unit 116 are of cartridge type, they can be easily attached to and detached from the housing 111, making it easy to replace the adsorbent material in each removal unit.

[0184] [Variation 6] In the above-described embodiment 1, since the direction of air flowing through the first removal section 114 and the suction section 115 is perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the fan, a sirocco fan was used for the fan in the suction section 115. However, it is not limited to this. For example, if the direction of air flowing through the first removal section 114 and the suction section 115 is the same as the rotation axis direction of the fan, an axial flow fan can be used for the fan in the suction section 115. In this way, other types of fans may be used depending on the arrangement position of the first removal section 114 and the suction section 115. Furthermore, the number of fans used in the suction section 115 is not limited to two, but may be one or three or more. Moreover, the type and number of fans should be appropriately determined considering the required airflow, battery, and power consumption.

[0185] [Variation 7] In the first embodiment described above, the mounting portion 112a of the guide portion 112 was described as being formed integrally with the housing 111. However, it may be formed separately from the housing 111 and be connectable to the housing 111. When the mounting portion 112a is separate from the housing 111, mounting portions 112a of different sizes and shapes can be prepared, allowing for the provision of an ethanol removal device 110 suited to the installation environment. Furthermore, the shape and size of the mounting portion 112a are not particularly limited.

[0186] [Variation 8] In the above embodiment 1, two examples of the wall portion 112b were described, but the wall portion 112b only needs to be formed except for the portion facing the intake portion 111c, so it is not limited to two, and may be one. In other words, the guide portion 112 only needs to have at least one wall portion 112b.

[0187] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the wall portion 112b is described as being highest on the front surface 111a side of the housing 111 and decreasing in height as it moves away from the front surface 111a, but it is not limited to this shape. For example, considering the ease of introducing air into the intake portion 111c, the height of the wall portion 112b on the front surface 111a side of the housing 111 and the height at the position furthest from the front surface 111a may be the same. Also, considering the ease of handling on the mounting portion 112a, it is preferable to make the height of the wall portion 112b as low as possible.

[0188] As described in Embodiment 1, the wall portion 112b may be formed of the same type of material as the mounting portion 112a, or it may be formed of a different type of material. Furthermore, as described in Embodiment 1, the wall portion 112b may be formed integrally with the mounting portion 112a, or it may be formed separately from the mounting portion 112a. Also, if the wall portion 112b is formed separately from the mounting portion 112a, it may be detachable from the mounting portion 112a. In addition, the guide portion may have a structure that slightly extends the top surface of the housing 111 toward the mounting portion 112a (a protruding structure). In this way, air is efficiently guided to the intake portion 111c by the guide portion.

[0189] [Variation 9] In the above embodiment 2, the shapes of the first wall portion 212b and the second wall portion 212c of the guide portion 212 are the same as the wall portion 112b provided on the guide portion 112 in the above embodiment 1, but the shape is not limited to this. For example, considering the ease of introducing air into the intake portion 111c, the height of the first wall portion 212b on the front surface 111a side of the housing 111 and the height at the position furthest from the front surface 111a may be the same. Also, considering the ease of handling on the mounting portion 212a, the heights of the first wall portion 212b and the second wall portion 212c may be made as low as possible.

[0190] The second wall portion 212c may have the same shape as the first wall portion 212b, or a different shape, as long as it does not interfere with the treatment. Furthermore, a lower height for the second wall portion 212c makes it easier to perform treatment on the mounting portion 212a. Also, the number of second wall portions 212c is not limited to five; there may be fewer than five or more than five. In addition, if the first wall portion 212b and the second wall portion 212c are formed separately from the mounting portion 212a, they may be detachable from the mounting portion 212a. Furthermore, the second wall portion 212c may be provided only in a part of the mounting portion 212a (for example, near the first wall portion 212b). By doing so, a space is secured on the mounting portion 212a that makes it easy to place the object to be treated, while also making it easier to guide air to the intake portion 111c, and enabling the removal of ethanol contained in the air in a short time.

[0191] [Experimental variation 10] In the ethanol removal devices 110 and 210 of the above embodiments 1 and 2, the guide portion 112 and housing 111, and the guide portion 212 and housing 111 are usually used with the guide portion 112 and housing 111 placed on the surface 11a of the bed 11, but the device is not limited to this. For example, the tips of the guide portion 112 of the ethanol removal device 110 and the guide portion 212 of the ethanol removal device 210 may be brought into contact with the surface 11a of the bed 11, and the device may be held inclined at a predetermined angle θ (0≦<θ<90°) from the surface 11a, so as to guide the air containing ethanol generated from the ethanol source (e.g., alcohol swabs) placed on the mounting portion 112a and mounting portion 212a to the intake portion 111c.

[0192] [Experimental Variation 11] In the above embodiment 3, as shown in Figure 6, the alcohol swab Y was placed directly on the bed 11, but it is not limited to this, and it may also be placed on a tray (not shown), and the tray may be placed on the bed 11, so that the guide portion 112 guides the air containing ethanol to the intake portion 111c.

[0193] [Variation 12] In the above embodiment 3, an example in which two wall portions 112b are formed was described, but the wall portions 112b only need to be formed except for the portion facing the intake portion 111c, so they are not limited to two, and may be one. In other words, the guide portion 112 only needs to have at least one wall portion 112b that surrounds a predetermined range Z on the surface of the bed 11 on which the alcohol swab Y is placed.

[0194] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 3, an example was described in which the wall portion 112b is highest on the front surface 111a side of the housing 111 and decreases in height as it moves away from the front surface 111a. However, it is not limited to this shape, and for example, if the ease of introducing air into the intake portion 111c is considered, the height of the wall portion 112b on the front surface 111a side of the housing 111 and the height at the position furthest from the front surface 111a may be the same. Also, if the ease of handling the alcohol swab Y on the placement surface is considered with the guide portion 112 placed on the surface 11a of the bed 11, it is preferable to make the height of the wall portion 112b as low as possible. In addition, the wall portion 112b may be detachable from the housing 111.

[0195] To reliably guide air to the intake section 111c of the housing 111, it is sufficient that at least a portion of the guide section 112 is connected to the intake section 111c. Specifically, it is sufficient that the front end 111a side of the wall section 112b of the guide section 112 is connected to the intake section 111c. In this case, the air guided to the intake section 111c by the guide section 112 is less likely to leak from between the front end 111a side of the wall section 112b of the guide section 112 and the intake section 111c, and a large amount of air is guided to the intake section 111c. In other words, by connecting at least a portion of the guide section 112 to the intake section 111c, air can be reliably guided to the intake section 111c. Alternatively, the top surface of the housing 111 may be extended slightly toward the mounting section (for example, the surface 11a of the bed 11) to serve as the guide section. In this way, air can be efficiently guided to the intake section 111c.

[0196] [Example 13] In the above embodiment 3, as an example of using the ethanol removal device 110A, as shown in Figure 7, an example was described in which the ethanol removal device 110A is used with the tip of the wall portion 112b of the guide portion 112 in contact with the surface 11a of the bed 11 and tilted at a predetermined angle θ (0 ≤ < θ < 90°) from the surface 11a. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, since only a wall portion 112b is formed on the guide portion 112 of the ethanol removal device 110A, the tip of the wall portion 112b may be in contact with the surface 11a of the bed 11 and the ethanol removal device 110 may be used with the tip of the wall portion 112b in contact with the surface 11a of the bed 11 and tilted at a predetermined angle θ (90° < θ ≤ 180°) from the surface 11a of the bed 11. In other words, the ethanol removal device 110A may be used to guide the air intake portion 111c from a direction that is not perpendicular to the surface 11a of the bed 11.

[0197] [Variation 14] In the above embodiment 3, an example of one removal unit of the first removal unit 114 was described as the removal unit of the ethanol removal device 110A, but it is not limited to this, and there may be two or more removal units.

[0198] As shown in Figure 16, the first removal unit 114 consists of a sheet of activated carbon and quickly adsorbs most of the ethanol contained in the air drawn in from the intake unit 111c. Therefore, if the amount of ethanol in the air is small, the first removal unit 114 will adsorb all of it.

[0199] The second removal unit 116 consists of pelletized activated carbon and slowly and reliably adsorbs ethanol contained in the air drawn in by the suction unit 115. The air from which ethanol has been adsorbed by the second removal unit 116 is exhausted from the exhaust unit 111d provided on the rear surface 111b of the housing 111.

[0200] As described above, the first removal section 114 uses sheet-shaped activated carbon as an adsorbent to quickly adsorb a large amount of high-concentration ethanol, while the second removal section 116 uses pellet-shaped activated carbon as an adsorbent to slowly adsorb any ethanol that was not adsorbed by the first removal section 114.

[0201] Therefore, the air drawn in from the intake section 111c of the housing 111 has a large amount of ethanol quickly adsorbed by the first removal section 114, and furthermore, the ethanol is completely adsorbed by the second removal section 116, so that the ethanol in the air drawn in from the intake section 111c can be sufficiently removed.

[0202] [Variation 15] In Embodiment 3, similar to Embodiment 1, the direction of air flowing through the first removal section 114 and the suction section 115 is perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the fan, so a sirocco fan was used for the suction section 115. However, it is not limited to this. For example, if the direction of air flowing through the first removal section 114 and the suction section 115 is the same as the rotation axis direction of the fan, an axial flow fan can be used for the suction section 115. Thus, other types of fans may be used for the suction section 115 depending on the arrangement of the first removal section 114 and the suction section 115. Furthermore, the number of fans used in the suction section 115 is not limited to two, but may be one or three or more. In addition, the type and number of fans should be appropriately determined considering the required airflow, battery, and power consumption.

[0203] [Variation 16] In the embodiments 1 to 3 described above, an example of a single removal unit of the first removal unit 114 was described as the removal unit of the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A, but the invention is not limited to this, and there may be two or more removal units.

[0204] For example, as shown in Figure 15, a first removal unit 114, a suction unit 115, and a second removal unit 116 may be arranged in order from the intake unit 111c to the exhaust unit 111d within the housing 111.

[0205] The first removal section 114 consists of sheet-shaped activated carbon and, compared to the second removal section 116, quickly adsorbs most of the ethanol contained in the air drawn in from the intake section 111c. In other words, the first removal section 114 has higher adsorption performance than the second removal section 116 in terms of adsorption rate. Therefore, if the amount of ethanol contained in the air is small, all of the ethanol will be adsorbed by the first removal section 114. However, since the first removal section 114 consists of sheet-shaped activated carbon, its adsorption performance tends to decrease in terms of persistence compared to the second removal section 116.

[0206] On the other hand, the second removal section 116 is made of pelletized activated carbon and, compared to the first removal section 114, slowly adsorbs the ethanol contained in the air drawn in by the suction section 115. In other words, the second removal section 116 has lower adsorption performance than the first removal section 114 in terms of adsorption rate. However, since the second removal section 116 is made of pelletized activated carbon, its adsorption performance does not deteriorate as easily in terms of persistence compared to the first removal section 114. The air from which ethanol has been adsorbed by the second removal section 116 is exhausted from the exhaust section 111d provided on the rear surface 111b of the housing 111.

[0207] As described above, the first removal unit 114 uses sheet-shaped activated carbon as an adsorbent to quickly adsorb a large amount of high-concentration ethanol, while the second removal unit 116 uses pellet-shaped activated carbon as an adsorbent to slowly adsorb any ethanol that has not been adsorbed by the first removal unit 114.

[0208] Therefore, the air drawn in from the intake section 111c of the housing 111 has a large amount of ethanol quickly adsorbed by the first removal section 114, and furthermore, the ethanol is completely adsorbed by the second removal section 116, so that the ethanol in the air drawn in from the intake section 111c can be sufficiently removed.

[0209] [Example 17] In the first removal section 114 of embodiments 1 to 3 described above, an example using pelletized activated carbon as the adsorbent has been explained, but the invention is not limited to this, and other adsorbents such as sheet-shaped activated carbon and pelletized activators may also be used.

[0210] Furthermore, in the modified example 16 described above, a sheet-shaped activated carbon was used as the adsorbent in the first removal section 114, and pellet-shaped activated carbon was used as the adsorbent in the second removal section 116. However, the invention is not limited to these examples, and other adsorbents may be used in each removal section.

[0211] Furthermore, in the modified example 16 described above, an example was given in which the adsorbents used in the first removal section 114 and the second removal section 116 were different, but they may be the same. In addition, in order to remove ethanol, the ethanol may be decomposed by a catalyst instead of adsorbing it with an adsorbent.

[0212] Furthermore, ethanol may be removed by both adsorption and decomposition. For example, the first removal section 114 and the second removal section 116 may each be equipped with an adsorbent and a catalyst, so that ethanol is adsorbed by the adsorbent and decomposed by the catalyst within a single removal section. Alternatively, the first removal section 114 may decompose ethanol with the catalyst and the second removal section 116 may adsorb ethanol with the adsorbent, or the first removal section 114 may adsorb ethanol with the adsorbent and the second removal section 116 may decompose ethanol with the catalyst. The adsorbent or catalyst used in the first removal section 114 and the second removal section 116 may be the same or different.

[0213] Furthermore, the first removal unit 114 and the second removal unit 116 may adsorb or decompose different substances. For example, the first removal unit 114 may adsorb or decompose volatile substances other than ethanol, and the second removal unit 116 may adsorb or decompose ethanol, or the first removal unit 114 may adsorb or decompose ethanol, and the second removal unit 116 may adsorb or decompose volatile substances other than ethanol.

[0214] [Variation 18] In the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A of the embodiments described above, drive control was performed by turning the power on and off, but this is not limited to this. For example, a concentration sensor for detecting the concentration of ethanol may be installed in the containment chamber 101, and the drive control of the ethanol removal devices 110 and 210 may be performed based on the detection signal from the concentration sensor. For example, when the ethanol concentration indicated by the detection signal from the concentration sensor reaches a predetermined concentration or higher, the fans of the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A may be started to drive, and when it falls below the predetermined concentration, the fans of the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A may be stopped to drive. Furthermore, while the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A are driving, if the detection signal from the concentration sensor indicates that the ethanol concentration has risen further above the predetermined concentration, the rotation speed of the fan in the suction unit 115 may be increased to increase the suction force and more actively suck up the ethanol in the containment chamber 101. This makes it possible to quickly suck up and remove ethanol.

[0215] [Variation 19] In the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A of the embodiments described above, a gas sensor 117 is provided between the first removal unit 114 and the suction unit 115 to detect the ethanol concentration contained in the air discharged from the first removal unit 114. However, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, even if a second removal unit 116 is provided in addition to the first removal unit 114, the gas sensor 117 may also be provided on the exhaust side of each removal unit.

[0216] In this case, the control units (not shown) of the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A determine the adsorption state of the first removal unit 114 and the second removal unit 116 (whether they are in a breakthrough state (a state where adsorption exceeds the adsorption function and the adsorbed material is leaking) or a state where adsorption is sufficient) based on the ethanol concentration detected by the gas sensor 117. Furthermore, the control units are not limited to determining the adsorption state of the first removal unit 114 and the second removal unit 116 using the gas sensor 117, but may also determine the adsorption state of the first removal unit 114 and the second removal unit 116 by other methods (methods using sensors other than the gas sensor 117).

[0217] The detection means, including the gas sensor 117, may be provided inside the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A, or outside the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A, but it is preferable to provide it, for example, downstream of the first removal unit 114 (between the first removal unit 114 and the second removal unit 116). By doing so, the first removal unit 114 can be replaced before it reaches a state where it cannot adequately adsorb due to a decrease in its adsorption function, or before it reaches a state where it breaks through due to an increase in the adsorption amount of the second removal unit 116. Alternatively, the detection means may be provided downstream of the second removal unit 116 to detect the adsorption state of the second removal unit 116. Alternatively, detection means may be provided both between the first removal unit 114 and the second removal unit 116, and downstream of the second removal unit 116, so as to detect the adsorption state of both the first removal unit 114 and the second removal unit 116.

[0218] Alternatively, the ethanol removal devices 110 and 210 may be driven and controlled by combining the detection result of a concentration sensor installed in the containment chamber 101 for detecting ethanol concentration and the detection result of the detection means for detecting the adsorption state.

[0219] Furthermore, the gas sensor 117 may be provided upstream of the first removal unit 114. In this case, the gas sensor 117 detects the ethanol concentration in the air before the ethanol is adsorbed by the first removal unit 114. That is, the gas sensor 117 detects the concentration of ethanol in the air inside the incubator 1. The operation of the fan of the suction unit 115 may be controlled based on the ethanol concentration detected by the gas sensor 117. For example, the rotation speed of the fan of the suction unit 115 is controlled according to the ethanol concentration detected by the gas sensor 117. In other words, if the ethanol concentration is high, the rotation speed of the fan is increased, and if the ethanol concentration is low, the rotation speed of the fan is decreased.

[0220] Furthermore, the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A are equipped with a communication unit and may be used as a monitoring device to monitor the ethanol concentration inside the incubator by communicating the ethanol concentration information detected by the gas sensor 117 to an external device using the communication unit.

[0221] [Variation 20] In this modified configuration, as shown in Figure 11, the first shielding member 121, which extends from above to below the first opening 114b, blocks a portion of the first opening 114b. Similarly, the second shielding member 122, which extends from below to above the second opening 114c, blocks a portion of the second opening 114c. The first shielding member 121 blocks approximately the upper two-thirds of the first opening 114b, and the second shielding member 122 blocks approximately the lower two-thirds of the second opening 114c. In this case, as shown in Figure 17, the air entering from the intake section 111c enters from below the first opening 114b of the first removal section 114, exits from above the second opening 114c, and is then sucked in by the suction section 115. In other words, the air taken into the first removal section 114 flows from the bottom to the top of the pelletized activated carbon 114a, so that the air reaches almost the entire surface of the pelletized activated carbon 114a before being exhausted from the first removal section 114. Note that the arrangement of the first shielding member 121 and the second shielding member 122 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 11. For example, the first shielding member 121 may be formed from the bottom to the top of the first opening 114b, and the second shielding member 122 may be formed from the top to the bottom of the second opening 114c, or only one of the first shielding member 121 or the second shielding member 122 may be provided. In this case, the air taken into the first removal section 114 flows from the top to the bottom of the pelletized activated carbon 114a, reaching almost the entire surface of the pelletized activated carbon 114a. Furthermore, the lengths of the first shielding member 121 and the second shielding member 122, in other words, the extent to which they block the first opening 114b and the second opening 114c, are not limited to those described above and should be set appropriately considering the adsorption performance of the adsorption part, the airflow rate, etc.

[0222] [Variation 21] In embodiments 1 to 3 described above, the power on and off of the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A was described as being performed by operating the power button on the control panel of each device, but this is not the only example. For example, the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A may be equipped with a tilt sensor, and the drive of the fan of the suction unit 115 may be controlled based on the detection signal from the tilt sensor. In this case, with the main power on, if the detection signal from the tilt sensor indicates that the tilt angle with respect to the ground is 0°±5°, the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A will be determined to be in operation and will drive the fan of the suction unit 115 to perform the ethanol adsorption operation. On the other hand, with the main power on, if the detection signal from the tilt sensor indicates that the tilt angle with respect to the ground is 60°±20°, the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A will be determined to be in a stopped state and will stop the fan of the suction unit 115 to stop the ethanol adsorption operation. In other words, even when the main power is on, the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A are designed to determine whether they are in operation or stopped before controlling the operation of the fan in the suction unit 115, thus preventing users from forgetting to operate or stop the device. Note that the angle at which the tilt sensor determines whether the device is in operation or stopped is not limited to the values ​​mentioned above, but can be set as appropriate.

[0223] [Variation 22] In embodiments 1 to 3 described above, the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A may be equipped with a wind speed sensor (hereinafter referred to as a wind speed sensor) on the intake side. In this case, the control unit in the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A controls the drive of the motor that rotates the fan of the suction unit 115 according to the wind speed detected by the wind speed sensor. For example, if the wind speed sensor detects a wind speed within a predetermined range, the control unit controls the motor to keep the rotation speed of the fan of the suction unit 115 constant. For example, if the wind speed sensor detects a wind speed that exceeds a predetermined range and is faster than a certain wind speed, the control unit controls the motor to lower the rotation speed of the fan of the suction unit 115, and if it detects a wind speed that is slower than a certain wind speed, it controls the motor to increase the rotation speed of the fan of the suction unit 115. As a result, the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A can prevent the motor that rotates the fan of the suction unit 115 from operating excessively and affecting the environment inside the incubator 1(2). Thus, by equipping the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A with wind speed sensors, they can constantly monitor the wind speed on the intake side. As a result, the ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A can draw in an appropriate amount of air.

[0224] [Variation 23] In the above embodiment 4, an example was described in which the containment chamber 101 is provided with two treatment openings 101a. However, the number of openings 101a only needs to be at least two, and may be three or more.

[0225] [Variation 23] In the above embodiment 4, an example was described in which the drive control of the purification device 120 is performed by operating the operating unit provided on each device. However, it may also be performed by operating the operating panel 102a provided on the incubator 1.

[0226] [Modification 24] In the above embodiment 4, as shown in Figure 1, an example is shown in which two purification devices 120 are placed on one side of the bed 11 (the head side of the patient X). However, the invention is not limited to this, and as long as it does not interfere with medical procedures and can properly remove ethanol, two purification devices 120 may be placed on the opposite side (the foot side of the patient X), or one purification device 120 may be placed on each side of the bed 11. The number of purification devices 120 installed may be one or three or more.

[0227] [Variation 25] In the above embodiment 4, an example was described in which the projection 121d is provided integrally with the first housing 121, but the invention is not limited to this, and the projection 121d may be provided separately from the first housing 121.

[0228] [Variation 26] In the above embodiment 4, an example was described in which the projection 121d provided on the first housing 121 is provided continuously in the width direction of the first housing 121 (in the direction perpendicular to the exhaust direction within the first housing 121), but it is not limited to this and may be provided intermittently. Also, one projection 121d may be provided at each end of the width direction of the lower surface 121c of the first housing 121 (in the direction perpendicular to the exhaust direction within the first housing 121). The shape of the projection 121d is not particularly limited and may be any shape that can sandwich the partition 12 between the side surface 122c of the second housing 122. The projection 121d may be movable to adjust the distance from the projection 121d to the side surface 122c of the second housing 122 according to the thickness of the partition 12.

[0229] [Variation 27] In the above embodiment 4, an example of a sheet-shaped activated carbon was described as the adsorbent used in the first removal section 124, but it is not limited to this, and other adsorbents that adsorb ethanol may be used.

[0230] [Variation 28] In the above embodiment 4, the direction of airflow of outside air from the suction unit 125 to the second removal unit 126 is perpendicular to the direction of airflow of outside air from the first removal unit 124 to the suction unit 125. Therefore, an example was described using a sirocco fan that blows air in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, but it is not limited to this. The type of fan can be changed according to the structure of the first housing 121 and the second housing 122. For example, if the suction direction and exhaust direction in the first housing 121 are the same, an axial flow fan may be used. Also, the number of fans used in the suction unit 125 is not limited to two, but may be one or three or more. Therefore, the type and number of fans should be selected considering the power supply method, power consumption, required flow rate, etc., used in the purification device.

[0231] [Variation 29] In the above embodiment 4, an example of pelletized activated carbon was described as the adsorbent used in the second removal section 126, but it is not limited to this, and other adsorbents that adsorb ethanol may be used.

[0232] [Variation 30] In the above embodiment 4, an example was described in which different adsorbents were used in the first removal section 124 and the second removal section 126, but they may be the same. In addition, in order to remove ethanol, ethanol may be decomposed by a catalyst.

[0233] Furthermore, ethanol may be removed by both adsorption and decomposition. For example, the first removal section 124 and the second removal section 126 may each be equipped with an adsorbent and a catalyst, so that ethanol is adsorbed by the adsorbent and decomposed by the catalyst within a single removal section. Alternatively, the first removal section 124 may decompose ethanol with the catalyst and the second removal section 126 may adsorb ethanol with the adsorbent, or the first removal section 124 may adsorb ethanol with the adsorbent and the second removal section 126 may decompose ethanol with the catalyst.

[0234] Furthermore, the first removal unit 124 and the second removal unit 126 may adsorb or decompose different substances. For example, the first removal unit 124 may adsorb or decompose volatile substances other than ethanol, and the second removal unit 126 may adsorb or decompose ethanol, or the first removal unit 124 may adsorb or decompose ethanol, and the second removal unit 126 may adsorb or decompose volatile substances other than ethanol. Also, the first removal unit 124 and the second removal unit 126 may be interchangeable.

[0235] [Example 31] In the above embodiment 4, an example was described in which one first removal unit 124 is provided in the first housing 121 and one second removal unit 116 is provided in the second housing 122. However, either the first removal unit 124 or the second removal unit 126 may be provided alone, or two or more removal units may be provided in each of the first housing 121 and the second housing 122. The method of removing volatile substances in these removal units may be the same or different.

[0236] [Variation 32] In Embodiment 5 described above, an example was given in which the exhaust port 223a of the tube 223 of the purification device 220 is installed below the bed 11, but the invention is not limited to this. The exhaust port 223a of the tube 223 of the purification device 220 can be installed anywhere as long as it does not affect the patient X on the bed 11 and exhausts the air to a location that has little impact on the circulation inside the incubator 1. In particular, the exhaust port 223a of the tube 223 in the purification device 220 should be installed in a location that does not blow the air exhausted from the exhaust port 223a directly onto the patient on the bed 11. For example, if the air is exhausted towards the surrounding walls that make up the containment chamber 101, the exhaust port 223a of the tube 223 may be installed above the bed 11.

[0237] [Example 33] In Embodiment 5, an example was described in which the purification device 220 is placed under the bed 11, but the position of the purification device 220 is not limited to this. For example, if there is sufficient space between the partition 12 of the bed 11 and the inner wall surface of the accommodation chamber 101, the purification device 220 may be installed on the partition 12 of the bed 11. In this case, the first housing 221 is placed on top, and the side surface 222b of the second housing 222 is placed close to the partition 12. At this time, the same projection as the projection 121d described in Embodiment 1 is provided on the upper surface 221c of the first housing 221, and the purification device 220 is fixed to the partition 12 by this projection. In this case, the exhaust port 223a of the tube 223 of the purification device 220 is positioned so that it faces the space under the bed 11.

[0238] Alternatively, the purification device 220 may be installed on the surface 11a of the bed 11. In this case, the first housing 221 is installed on the surface 11a of the bed 11 in a position that does not interfere with the treatment of the child, and the tube 223 is installed so that the exhaust port 223a of the tube 223 faces the space below the bed 11.

[0239] [Modification 34] Of the components of the purification device 220, it is difficult to miniaturize the first housing 221, which includes the suction unit 125, while it is easy to miniaturize the second housing 222, which is the purification unit including the second removal unit 126, especially by reducing its thickness. Therefore, the first housing 221, which includes the suction unit 125, and the second housing 222, which is the purification unit, may be separated, with the first housing 221 installed under the bed 11 and the second housing 222 installed on the partition 12 of the bed 11.

[0240] Specifically, a flexible tube, such as the tube 223 in the purification device 220 shown in Figure 10, can be installed between the first housing 221 and the second housing 222, and the outside air drawn in by the first housing 221 can be sent to the second housing 222 via the flexible tube. In this case, the length of the flexible tube can be set according to the distance between the installation location of the first housing 221, which includes the suction unit 125 (under the bed 11), and the installation location of the second housing 222, which is the purification unit (on top of the partition 12).

[0241] In this modified purification device, the first housing 221, which includes a suction unit 125 with a fan, and the second housing 222, which includes a second removal unit 126 that constitutes the purification unit, are separated. This allows the first housing 221, which is difficult to miniaturize, to be placed under the bed 11, while only the second housing 222, which is easy to miniaturize, is installed in the partition unit 12. As a result, even if it is difficult to install the first housing 221 in the partition unit 12 due to space limitations, the air in the containment chamber 101 can be purified by installing only the second housing 222, which constitutes the purification unit, in the partition unit 12.

[0242] [Variation 35] Furthermore, the corners of the bent portions of the first housing 121 in Embodiment 4 and the second housing 222 in Embodiment 5 may be chamfered. This allows for a wider range of motion of the first housing 121 and the second housing 222 between the partition 12 and the surrounding wall of the housing 101 when the purification devices 120 and 220 are installed in the housing chamber 101.

[0243] [Variation 36] In the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 of the embodiments 4 to 6 described above, drive control was performed by turning the power on and off, but this is not the only way to do so. For example, a concentration sensor for detecting the concentration of ethanol may be installed in the containment chamber 101, and the drive control of the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 may be performed based on the detection signal from the concentration sensor. For example, when the ethanol concentration indicated by the detection signal from the concentration sensor reaches a predetermined concentration or higher, the fan of the suction unit 125 may be started to run, and when it falls below the predetermined concentration, the fan of the suction unit 125 may be stopped to stop running. Furthermore, while the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 are running, if the detection signal from the concentration sensor indicates that the ethanol concentration has risen further above the predetermined concentration, the rotation speed of the fan in the suction unit 125 may be increased to increase the suction force and more actively suck up the ethanol in the containment chamber 101. This makes it possible to quickly suck up and remove the ethanol.

[0244] Furthermore, the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 may be provided with detection means for detecting the adsorption state of the first removal unit 124 and the second removal unit 126. The detection means may be a concentration sensor that detects the ethanol concentration. In this case, the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 determine the adsorption state of the first removal unit 124 and the second removal unit 126 (whether they are in a breakthrough state (a state where adsorption exceeds the adsorption function and the adsorbed material is leaking out) or a state where adsorption is sufficient) based on the ethanol concentration detected by the detection means.

[0245] The detection means may be provided inside the purification devices 120, 220, and 230, or outside the purification devices 120, 220, and 230, but it is preferable to provide it downstream of the first removal unit 124 (between the first removal unit 124 and the second removal unit 126). By doing so, the adsorption state of the first removal unit 124 can be detected, and it becomes possible to replace the first removal unit 124 before it can no longer perform sufficient adsorption due to a decrease in the adsorption function of the first removal unit 124, or before the amount of adsorption in the second removal unit 126 increases and the second removal unit 126 breaks through. Alternatively, the detection means may be provided downstream of the second removal unit 126 to detect the adsorption state of the second removal unit 126. Alternatively, detection means may be provided both between the first removal unit 124 and the second removal unit 126, and downstream of the second removal unit 126, so as to detect the adsorption state of both the first removal unit 124 and the second removal unit 126.

[0246] Alternatively, the drive control of the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 may be performed by combining the detection result of a concentration sensor installed in the containment chamber 101 for detecting ethanol concentration and the detection result of the detection means for detecting the adsorption state.

[0247] Furthermore, a detection means may be provided upstream of the first removal unit 124. In this case, the detection means detects the concentration of ethanol in the air before it is adsorbed by the first removal unit 124. That is, the detection means detects the concentration of ethanol in the air inside the incubator 1. The fan of the suction unit 125 may be driven based on the ethanol concentration detected by the detection means.

[0248] In this case, the control units (not shown) of the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 control the drive of the motor that rotates the fan of the suction unit 125 according to the ethanol concentration detected by the detection means. For example, if the ethanol concentration detected by the detection means is higher than a predetermined value, the control unit controls the motor drive to increase the fan speed, while if the ethanol concentration detected by the detection means is below a predetermined value, the control unit controls the motor drive to decrease the fan speed.

[0249] Furthermore, the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 may be equipped with a communication unit, which may communicate information indicating the ethanol concentration detected by the detection means to an external device, thereby monitoring the ethanol concentration in the incubator 1. In other words, the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 function as monitoring devices that monitor the ethanol concentration in the incubator 1.

[0250] [Variation 37] To minimize the impact of the purification device 120 on the patient, the intake section 121b of the purification device 120 is located higher than the patient. This increases the removal rate of ethanol and prevents adverse effects on the patient caused by the increased airflow velocity around the patient due to the intake section 121b. For example, the intake section 121b of the purification device 120 can be located between the top of the partition section 12 of the bed 11 and the bottom fan installed in the bed stage 13, at a height other than that of the patient. Alternatively, the intake section 121b can be installed in the area where the airflow from around the bed 11 reaches the ventilation fan (not shown) inside the incubator 1(2).

[0251] [Variation 38] In embodiments 4 to 6 described above, the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 may be equipped with a wind speed sensor (hereinafter referred to as a wind speed sensor) on the intake side. In this case, the control units in the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 control the drive of the motors that rotate the fans of the suction units 125 and 225 according to the wind speed detected by the wind speed sensor. For example, if the wind speed sensor detects a wind speed within a predetermined range, the control unit controls the motor to maintain a constant rotation speed for the fans of the suction units 125 and 225. If the wind speed sensor detects a wind speed exceeding a predetermined range and faster than a certain wind speed, the control unit controls the motor to decrease the rotation speed for the fans of the suction units 125 and 225. If the wind speed is detected to be slower than a certain wind speed, the control unit controls the motor to increase the rotation speed for the fans of the suction units 125 and 225. This prevents the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 from affecting the environment inside the incubator 1(2) due to excessive operation of the motors that rotate the fans of the suction units 125 and 225. In this way, the fans of the suction units 125 and 225 can constantly monitor the airflow on the intake side by being equipped with wind speed sensors. As a result, the fans of the suction units 125 and 225 can draw in an appropriate amount of air.

[0252] [Variation 39] The intake sections 121b and 221b of the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 are preferably located in positions that do not obstruct the air circulation in the incubator 1(2). In particular, the intake sections 121b and 221b are preferably located in positions that do not alter the air circulation around the patient X inside the incubator 1(2). Furthermore, the intake sections 121b and 221b are preferably located between the area where air flows down from above the bed 11 where medical treatment is performed on the patient X inside the incubator 1(2) and the ventilation fan (not shown) of the incubator 1(2) body, so that ethanol is not diffused throughout the entire incubator 1(2) by the incubator fan (not shown).

[0253] [Modification 40] In the purification devices 120, 220, and 230, flow sensors may be provided to detect the flow rate of air exhausted from the exhaust section 122b and exhaust port 223a. The control units of the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 determine that the operation of the fan of the suction section 125 is normal if the flow rate detected by the flow sensor is within a predetermined range, and determine that there is an abnormality in the removal function if the flow rate detected by the flow sensor exceeds the predetermined range. In this case, an abnormality in the removal function means that the operation of the fan of the suction section 125 is not normal, or that air cannot be exhausted from the exhaust section 122b and exhaust port 223a. If air cannot be exhausted, it is possible that the exhaust section 122b and exhaust port 223a are clogged with filters or blocked with foreign matter. When the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 determine that there is an abnormality in the removal function, they notify the operator that the removal function is abnormal. This prevents the continued use of the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 in a state where ethanol cannot be removed. Therefore, the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 equipped with flow rate sensors are preferable from a safety management perspective. In addition, the flow rate sensors in the purification devices 120, 220, and 230 may be provided between the first removal section 124 and the second removal section 126, respectively.

[0254] [Variation 41] In the above embodiment 7, an example was described in which the supply unit 420 supplies medical gas, but it is not limited to this. In addition to supplying medical gas, the supply unit 420 may also supply, for example, air from outside the incubator 1 (for example, air from inside the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) where the incubator 1 is installed). In this case, the air from inside the NICU can be purified by passing it through activated carbon or a filter before being supplied into the incubator 1.

[0255] [Variation 42] Furthermore, the supply unit 420 may switch between medical gas and the air in the NICU and supply it into the incubator 1. In this case, in addition to purifying the air in the NICU into clean air with the filter described above, a sensor for detecting the ethanol concentration outside the incubator 1 (inside the NICU) may be provided, and according to the detection result of the sensor, it may be determined whether to supply from medical gas or the air in the NICU. Furthermore, a sensor for detecting the ethanol concentration inside the incubator 1 may be provided, and according to the detection result of the sensor and the detection result of the sensor for detecting the ethanol concentration outside the incubator 1 (inside the NICU), it may be switched whether to supply from medical gas or the air in the NICU. For example, if the supply unit 420 determines from the detection results of the two sensors that the ethanol concentration in the NICU is lower than the ethanol concentration inside the incubator 1, the supply unit 420 supplies the air in the NICU into the incubator 1, and if it determines that the ethanol concentration in the NICU is high, the supply unit 420 supplies medical gas into the incubator 1.

[0256] 〔Modification Example 43〕 In the above Embodiment 7, the configuration in which the air conditioner 401 includes all of the circulation unit 410, the supply unit 420, and the discharge unit 430 has been described. However, the air conditioner 401 does not necessarily need to include all of the circulation unit 410, the supply unit 420, and the discharge unit 430. For example, the air conditioner 401 may include the circulation unit 410 and the supply unit 420, and the discharge unit 430 may be provided in a device different from the air conditioner 401.

[0257] 〔Modification Example 44〕 In the above Embodiment 7, the configuration in which the removal device 402 is provided separately from the air conditioner 401 has been described, but it is not limited to this. The removal device 402 may be provided inside the air conditioner 401 with an adsorbent (such as pellet-shaped activated carbon) that adsorbs ethanol to achieve the same function as the removal device 402 even if it is not provided separately from the air conditioner 401. For example, an adsorbent that adsorbs ethanol may be provided in at least one of the circulation unit 410, the supply unit 420, and the discharge unit 430 inside the air conditioner 401 to achieve the same function as the removal device 402.

[0258] 〔Modification Example 45〕 In the above embodiment 1, a configuration was described in which the removal device 402 is provided outside the containment chamber 101. However, the invention is not limited to this configuration, and the removal device 402 may be placed inside the containment chamber 101. In this case, it is not necessary to secure space for installing the removal device 402.

[0259] Furthermore, in the incubation system 501, in addition to the removal device 402, an ethanol removal device 110 and a purification device 120 may be provided in the containment chamber 101, as in the incubator 1 of Embodiment 1. In this case, ethanol that could not be sufficiently adsorbed by the removal device 402 can be adsorbed by the ethanol removal device 110 and the purification device 120 in the containment chamber 101, thereby further reducing the concentration of ethanol in the air inside the containment chamber 101.

[0260] Furthermore, it is preferable to install both the ethanol removal device 110 and the purification device 120 in the containment chamber 101, but it is also acceptable to install only one of them. Of the two, it is preferable to install the ethanol removal device 110. This is because, as shown in Figure 1 of the embodiment 1, by installing the ethanol removal device 110 in close proximity to the child X being treated in the containment chamber 101, ethanol generated during disinfection and other treatments can be effectively adsorbed.

[0261] [Variation 46] In the above embodiment 2, the circulation unit 410, the supply unit 420, and the discharge unit 430 were described as a single device, but as mentioned above, the nursery system can take various forms. For example, the functions of the circulation unit 410, the supply unit 420, and the discharge unit 430 may be realized by using multiple devices, or the functions of the air conditioning system 401 may be realized by incorporating the supply unit 420 and the discharge unit 430 into the circulation unit 410.

[0262] In the embodiments and modified examples described above, ethanol was used as an example of the volatile substance to be removed, but it is not limited to ethanol, and other volatile substances such as isopropanol may also be used.

[0263] Furthermore, although the above embodiments and modifications were described using a closed-type incubator as an example, the volatile substance removal device and purification device of the present invention may also be used with an open-type incubator, which is not a closed-type incubator.

[0264] In an open-type incubator, the chamber for housing the sick child is constructed from walls erected around the bed where the child lies. A purification device may be attached to these walls to remove volatile substances such as ethanol floating in the chamber. Alternatively, a purification device may be suspended from above a control panel (higher than the walls surrounding the bed) in an open-type incubator to remove volatile substances such as ethanol floating in the chamber.

[0265] Ethanol removal devices 110, 210, and 110A relating to one aspect of this disclosure are installed in incubators 1 and 2 equipped with a containment chamber 101 in which the internal temperature and humidity can be adjusted for housing a child, and are ethanol removal devices that remove vaporized ethanol from the containment chamber 101 in connection with a medical procedure using ethanol performed on a child X housed in the containment chamber 101, and may include a suction section 115 that draws in air from inside the containment chamber 101 from an intake section 111c, a first removal section 114 that removes ethanol contained in the air, an exhaust section 111d that exhausts the air from which ethanol has been removed by the first removal section 114, and guide sections 112 and 212 that guide air to the intake section 111c.

[0266] According to the above configuration, guide sections 112 and 212 are provided to guide the air inside the closed incubators 1 and 2 to the intake section, so that air can be efficiently guided to the suction section 115. As a result, the fan constituting the suction section 115 can be small, and the entire device can be made small. Therefore, even when the ethanol removal devices 110, 210 and 110A are used inside the closed incubators 1 and 2, they can be made small so as not to interfere with medical procedures for the child X.

[0267] The guide sections 112 and 212 may have mounting sections 112a and 212a on which at least a portion of the object to be treated in the ethanol treatment and at least one of the source that emits the ethanol used in the treatment can be placed. By having mounting sections 112a and 212a on which at least a portion of the object to be treated in the ethanol treatment (e.g., the hands and feet of the child) or the source that emits the ethanol used in the treatment can be placed, the guide sections 112 and 212 can guide the air containing ethanol generated when the object to be treated X is treated on the mounting sections 112a and 212a to the intake section 111c. In addition, the guide sections 112 and 212 can actively guide the air containing ethanol floating near the source that emits the ethanol used in the treatment, which is placed on the mounting sections 112a and 212a, to the intake section 111c. This makes it possible to remove the ethanol contained in the air inside the closed incubators 1 and 2 in a short time.

[0268] The guide sections 112 and 212 may have at least one first wall section (wall portion) 112b, 212b that rises upward from the periphery of the mounting sections 112a, 212a. By having at least one first wall section (wall portion) 112b, 212b that rises upward from the periphery of the mounting sections 112a, 212a, the ethanol generated when treating the object placed on the mounting sections 112a, 212a can be prevented from diffusing outside the mounting sections 112a, 212a by the wall. This makes it possible to more actively guide ethanol-containing air into the intake section 111c.

[0269] Guide sections 112, 212 may have at least one second wall section (wall section) 112b, 212c provided on the mounting surface of the mounting section 112a, 212a in parallel with the first wall section (wall section) 112b, 212b. With the above configuration, the provision of the second wall section (wall section) 112b, 212c on the mounting surface allows air to flow between the first wall section (wall section) 112b, 212b and the second wall section (wall section) 112b, 212c on the mounting surface, making it easier to guide air to the intake section 111c.

[0270] The first wall portions 112b and 212b may be formed excluding the portion facing the intake portion 111c. By forming the first wall portions 112b and 212b excluding the portion facing the intake portion 111c, it is possible to perform ethanol treatment on the treatment target X placed on the mounting portions 112a and 212a from the area where the wall is not formed. Furthermore, it is possible to avoid obstructing the guidance of ethanol to the intake portion 111c. As a result, ethanol treatment on the treatment target X can be performed without being obstructed by the wall, making it easier to perform treatment on the treatment target X and allowing for the removal of ethanol from the air.

[0271] Of the first wall portions (wall portions) 112b, 212b and the second wall portions (wall portions) 112b, 212c, at least the second wall portions (wall portions) 112b, 212c may be made of an elastic material. With the above configuration, the elasticity of the second wall portions (wall portions) 112b, 212c provided on the mounting surface makes it less likely for the hands or feet of the child X to be treated to be injured when placed on the mounting portions 112a, 212a.

[0272] At least a portion of the guide sections 112 and 212 may be connected to the intake section 111c. By connecting at least a portion of the guide sections 112 and 212 to the intake section 111c in this way, air can be reliably guided to the intake section 111c.

[0273] A breakthrough sensor (gas sensor) 117 may be provided to detect whether or not the first removal unit 114 is in a breakthrough state. With the above configuration, the breakthrough state of the first removal unit 114 can be determined by providing the breakthrough sensor (gas sensor) 117, and therefore the state of the first removal unit 114 can be determined.

[0274] The first removal section 114 may be replaceable. With the above configuration, since the first removal section 114 is replaceable, if the first removal section 114 is in a broken state, it can be replaced immediately.

[0275] An ethanol removal method relating to one aspect of this disclosure is installed in incubators 1 and 2 equipped with a containment chamber 101 in which the internal temperature and humidity can be adjusted for containing a patient X, and is a removal method for removing vaporized ethanol in connection with a medical procedure using ethanol on patient X contained in the containment chamber 101. The ethanol removal method includes the following steps: a guide step (S1), a suction step (S2), a removal step (S3), and an exhaust step (S4). · Guide step (S1): Guide the air in the containment chamber 101 to an intake means (e.g., intake section 111c) that draws air into a removal means (e.g., a first removal section 114). · Suction step (S2): Draw air from the intake means (e.g., intake section 111c) into the incubators 1 and 2 using an intake means (e.g., intake section 115). · Removal step (S3): Remove the ethanol contained in the drawn air using a removal means (e.g., a first removal section 114). • Exhaust step (S4): The air from which ethanol has been removed is exhausted by an exhaust means (e.g., exhaust unit 111d).

[0276] According to the above configuration, since it includes a guide step for directing the air inside the closed incubators 1 and 2 to the intake section 111c, the air can be efficiently guided by the suction means. As a result, the fan constituting the suction means can be small, and the entire device for realizing the ethanol removal method can be made small. Therefore, even if the device for realizing the ethanol removal method is used inside the closed incubators 1 and 2, it will not interfere with medical procedures for the child X.

[0277] The exhaust direction of the air by the exhaust means may be a direction different from the direction in which the intake means is provided. The intake means intakes air containing ethanol, and the exhaust means exhausts air from which ethanol has been removed. Therefore, when air from which ethanol has been removed is introduced into the intake means, it is impossible to efficiently intake air containing ethanol. Accordingly, by setting the exhaust direction of the air by the exhaust means to a direction different from the direction in which the intake means is provided, it is possible to prevent the air exhausted from the exhaust means (air from which ethanol has been removed) from interfering with the intake of air containing ethanol by the intake means.

[0278] In order to solve the above problems, an incubator according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an accommodation chamber capable of accommodating an infant, a circulation unit that circulates air with adjusted temperature and humidity into the accommodation chamber, a supply unit capable of supplying air from outside the accommodation chamber into the accommodation chamber, a discharge unit capable of discharging at least a part of the air in the accommodation chamber to the outside of the accommodation chamber, and a removal unit that removes volatile substances from the air in the accommodation chamber.

[0279] According to the above configuration, the incubator includes a removal unit that removes volatile substances from the air in the accommodation chamber. Further, the incubator also includes an air-conditioning unit that circulates air into the accommodation chamber, a supply unit capable of supplying air from outside the accommodation chamber into the accommodation chamber, and a discharge unit capable of discharging at least a part of the air in the accommodation chamber to the outside of the accommodation chamber. The incubator can supply air outside the accommodation chamber into the accommodation chamber to reduce the concentration of volatile substances in the air in the accommodation chamber. Further, while circulating the air in the accommodation chamber, the incubator can remove the volatile substances in the air in the accommodation chamber by the removal unit. Thereby, it is possible to avoid the infants in the incubator from being unintentionally exposed to volatile substances.

[0280] The removal unit may be provided in the accommodation chamber. Thus, if the removal unit is provided in the accommodation chamber, there is no need to secure a space for installing the removal unit separately from the space for installing the incubator.

[0281] The removal unit may draw in air from the containment chamber, guide it to the removal unit, and exhaust the air that has passed through the removal unit back into the containment chamber. The temperature and humidity of the air inside the incubator are controlled. With the above configuration, the removal unit exhausts the air from which the predetermined volatile substances have been removed back into the containment chamber. As a result, the incubator can remove the predetermined volatile substances while maintaining the temperature and humidity inside the containment chamber.

[0282] A childcare system relating to one aspect of this disclosure includes an incubator having a containment chamber capable of accommodating a sick child; a circulation mechanism for circulating temperature and humidity-controlled air into the containment chamber; a supply mechanism capable of supplying air from outside the containment chamber into the containment chamber; a discharge mechanism capable of discharging at least a portion of the air inside the containment chamber to the outside of the containment chamber; and a removal mechanism for removing volatile substances from the air inside the containment chamber.

[0283] According to the above configuration, the incubator system includes a removal mechanism for removing volatile substances from the air inside the incubator's chamber. The incubator system also includes a circulation mechanism for circulating air into the chamber, a supply mechanism for supplying air from outside the chamber into the chamber, and a discharge mechanism for discharging at least a portion of the air inside the chamber to the outside. The incubator system can reduce the concentration of volatile substances in the air inside the chamber by supplying air from outside the chamber into the chamber. Furthermore, the incubator system can remove volatile substances from the air inside the chamber using the removal mechanism while circulating the air inside the chamber. This makes it possible to avoid unintentionally exposing the infant in the incubator to volatile substances.

[0284] The removal mechanism may be installed within the containment chamber. If the removal mechanism is provided within the containment chamber, there is no need to secure separate space for the removal mechanism in addition to the space for installing the incubator.

[0285] A removal method relating to one aspect of the present disclosure is a removal method for removing volatile substances from a containment chamber of an incubator having a containment chamber in which temperature and humidity controlled air is circulated, and includes a supply step of supplying air from outside the containment chamber into the containment chamber, a discharge step of discharging the air from the containment chamber to the outside of the containment chamber, and a removal step of sucking in the air from the containment chamber and removing the volatile substances.

[0286] According to the above configuration, air from outside the incubator's containment chamber can be supplied into the chamber to reduce the concentration of volatile substances in the air inside the chamber. Furthermore, volatile substances can be removed from the air inside the incubator's containment chamber while circulating the air. This prevents unintentional exposure of the infant in the incubator to volatile substances.

[0287] In the removal step, the air in the containment chamber may include a first air source located away from the source emitting the volatile substance and a second air source located near the source emitting the volatile substance. Since high concentrations of volatile substances can be released from the source, if the source is located inside the containment chamber, there is a risk that the containment chamber will become filled with volatile substances. With the above configuration, the removal step involves removing volatile substances from the first air source located away from the source and removing volatile substances from the second air source located near the source. This makes it possible to effectively remove volatile substances from the air inside the containment chamber.

[0288] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0289] 1, 1A, 3, 4, 5 Incubator, 11 Bed, 11a Surface (mounting surface), 12 Partition section, 12U First partition section, 12D Second partition section, 13 Bed stage, 101 Containment chamber, 101a Opening, 102 Mounting platform, 102a Operation panel, 110 Volatile substance removal device, 110K, 110H Removal section (removal mechanism), 111 Housing, 111a Front, 111b Rear, 111c Intake section, 111d Exhaust section, 112 Guide section, 112a Mounting section, 112b Wall section, 114 First removal section, 115 Suction section, 116 Second removal section, 120 Purification device, 121 First housing, 121a Front, 121b Intake section, 121c Bottom, 121d 122 Protrusion, 122a Second housing, 122b Rear, 122b Exhaust section, 122c Side, 124 First removal section, 125 Suction section, 126 Second removal section, 210 Volatile substance removal device, 212 Guide section, 212a Mounting section, 212b First wall section, 212c Second wall section, 215 Suction section, 220 Purification device, 221 First housing, 221a Front, 221b Intake section, 222 Second housing, 222a Side, 223 Tube, 223a Exhaust port, 310 Volatile substance removal device, 312 Guide section, 312a Wall section, 401 Air conditioning device, 402 Removal device (removal mechanism), 410 Circulation section (circulation mechanism), 420 Supply section (supply mechanism), 430 Discharge section (discharge mechanism), 501 Childcare system, 520 air blower (air blower mechanism), X patient (target of treatment),

Claims

1. A room capable of accommodating a sick child, A mounting platform on which the containment chamber is placed, A bed having a surface on which the child is placed, The aforementioned containment room contains, A ventilation unit capable of blowing air in the aforementioned containment chamber so that it flows in one direction along the aforementioned surface, An incubator is provided with a removal unit installed downstream of the unidirectional airflow relative to the containment chamber, which removes volatile substances from the air circulating within the containment chamber.

2. A room capable of accommodating a child with an illness, A mounting platform on which the containment chamber is placed, A bed having a surface on which the child is placed, The aforementioned containment room contains, A ventilation unit capable of blowing air in the aforementioned containment chamber so that it flows in one direction along the aforementioned surface, A removal unit is provided, which is installed downstream of the unidirectional airflow in the containment chamber and removes volatile substances from the air inside the containment chamber. The aforementioned containment chamber is provided with a first partition on the upstream side of the airflow in the aforementioned one direction and a second partition on the downstream side of the airflow, so that the child is positioned between them in the aforementioned one direction. An incubator in which the second partition section is provided with an air intake port for the removal section and draws in air flowing from the first partition section toward the second partition section.

3. A room capable of accommodating a child with an illness, A mounting platform on which the containment chamber is placed, A bed having a surface on which the child is placed, The aforementioned containment room contains, A ventilation unit capable of blowing air in the aforementioned containment chamber so that it flows in one direction along the aforementioned surface, A removal unit is provided, which is installed downstream of the unidirectional airflow in the containment chamber and removes volatile substances from the air inside the containment chamber. The removal unit has a removal member that removes volatile substances from the air in the containment chamber. The removal member is provided in the incubator, which is installed on a screen located downstream of the unidirectional airflow in the containment chamber.

4. The incubator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the containment chamber is provided with a circulation unit that circulates air in the containment chamber such that the air, whose temperature and humidity have been controlled, flows in one direction.

5. An incubator comprising: a chamber capable of accommodating a sick child; a platform on which the chamber is placed; and a bed having a surface on which the sick child is placed. A ventilation mechanism capable of blowing air in the aforementioned containment chamber so that it flows in one direction along the aforementioned surface, A nursery system comprising: a removal mechanism installed downstream of the unidirectional airflow in the containment chamber, and which removes volatile substances from the air circulating within the containment chamber.

6. An incubator comprising: a chamber capable of accommodating a sick child; a platform on which the chamber is placed; and a bed having a surface on which the sick child is placed. A ventilation mechanism capable of blowing air in the aforementioned containment chamber so that it flows in one direction along the aforementioned surface, The system includes a removal mechanism installed downstream of the unidirectional airflow in the containment chamber, which removes volatile substances from the air inside the containment chamber. The aforementioned containment chamber is provided with a first partition on the upstream side of the airflow in the aforementioned one direction and a second partition on the downstream side of the airflow, so that the child is positioned between them in the aforementioned one direction. The second partition section is provided with an air intake for the removal mechanism and draws in air flowing from the first partition section toward the second partition section, in a nursery system.

7. An incubator comprising: a chamber capable of accommodating a sick child; a platform on which the chamber is placed; and a bed having a surface on which the sick child is placed. A ventilation mechanism capable of blowing air in the aforementioned containment chamber so that it flows in one direction along the aforementioned surface, The system includes a removal mechanism installed downstream of the unidirectional airflow in the containment chamber, which removes volatile substances from the air inside the containment chamber. The removal mechanism includes a removal member that removes volatile substances from the air in the containment chamber. The removal member is provided on a partition installed in the containment chamber on the downstream side of the unidirectional airflow, in a nursery system.

8. A method for removing volatile substances from the containment chamber of an incubator, which comprises a containment chamber capable of accommodating a sick child, a platform on which the containment chamber is placed, and a bed having a surface on which the sick child is placed, A ventilation step in which air is blown into the aforementioned containment chamber so that it flows in one direction along the aforementioned surface, A removal method comprising a removal step of removing the volatile substance from the air circulating within the containment chamber on the downstream side of the unidirectional airflow with respect to the containment chamber.

9. A method for removing volatile substances from inside the containment chamber of an incubator equipped with a containment chamber capable of containing a sick child, The aforementioned incubator is The system comprises a platform on which the aforementioned accommodation chamber is placed, and a bed having a surface on which the patient is placed. The aforementioned containment room contains, A ventilation unit capable of blowing air in the aforementioned containment chamber so that it flows in one direction along the aforementioned surface, A removal unit is installed downstream of the unidirectional airflow in the containment chamber and removes volatile substances from the air inside the containment chamber. A first partition is provided on the upstream side of the airflow in the aforementioned one direction and a second partition is provided on the downstream side of the airflow, so that the patient is positioned between them in the aforementioned one direction. The second partition section is provided with an air intake port for the removal section and takes in air flowing from the first partition section toward the second partition section. A blowing step in which the blowing unit blows air into the containment chamber, A removal method comprising: a removal step of removing volatile substances from the air inside the containment chamber downstream of the unidirectional airflow to the containment chamber by the removal unit.

10. A method for removing volatile substances from inside the containment chamber of an incubator equipped with a containment chamber capable of containing a sick child, The aforementioned incubator is The system comprises a platform on which the aforementioned accommodation chamber is placed, and a bed having a surface on which the patient is placed. The aforementioned containment room contains, A ventilation unit capable of blowing air in the aforementioned containment chamber so that it flows in one direction along the aforementioned surface, A removal unit is provided, which is installed downstream of the unidirectional airflow in the containment chamber and removes volatile substances from the air inside the containment chamber. The removal unit has a removal member that removes volatile substances from the air in the containment chamber. The removal member is provided on a partition installed in the containment chamber on the downstream side of the unidirectional airflow, A blowing step in which the blowing unit blows air into the containment chamber, A removal method comprising: a removal step of removing volatile substances from the air inside the containment chamber downstream of the unidirectional airflow to the containment chamber by the removal unit.

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