Removal device, incubator, and removal method

Abstract

To efficiently remove volatile substances from a storage chamber.SOLUTION: An ethanol removal device (110) provided in an incubator (1) equipped with a storage chamber (101) capable of storing a child patient (X), includes: a removal section (114) that removes ethanol from air in the storage chamber (101); and a control section (500) that can switch modes between a removal mode in which the removal section (114) removes ethanol and a recovery mode in which the ethanol removal function in the removal section (114) is recovered.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a removal device.

Background Art

[0002] An incubator is a medical device for protecting and treating sick infants such as premature infants and newborn infants. A sick infant receives various medical interventions inside the incubator. Examples of the medical interventions received by the sick infant include blood collection, attachment of a ventilator, intravenous drip, and the like.

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] As an example of medical intervention, there are cases where blood is collected from a sick infant in an incubator, or intravenous drip is administered to the sick infant. In these medical interventions, alcohol such as ethanol may be used for disinfection of a site where a needle is inserted. Since alcohol such as ethanol has volatility, the concentration of alcohol contained in the air inside the incubator increases every time a medical intervention is performed. As a result, the sick infant in the incubator may be unintentionally exposed to volatile substances.

[0004] Some volatile substances affect the health condition of sick infants. For example, it is widely known that drinking alcohol during pregnancy adversely affects the fetus (fetal ethanol syndrome), and it is desirable to improve the situation where a sick infant is exposed to volatile substances in an incubator.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to efficiently remove volatile substances in an accommodation chamber.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] To solve the above problems, a removal device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a removal device provided in an incubator equipped with a containment chamber capable of accommodating a sick child, comprising: a removal unit that removes volatile substances from the air in the containment chamber; and a control unit that can switch between a removal mode in which the removal unit removes the volatile substances and a recovery mode in which the removal unit restores the volatile substance removal function.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the removal device can remove volatile substances in the removal unit in removal mode, and then restore the removal function of the removal unit in recovery mode. Therefore, the removal unit can be used continuously for a long period of time, and volatile substances in the containment chamber can be removed efficiently.

[0008] The control unit can switch between a first flow path through which the air that has passed through the removal unit flows into the containment chamber, and a second flow path through which the air that has passed through the removal unit flows outside the incubator. The control unit may also control the air that has passed through the removal unit to flow through the first flow path in the removal mode and through the second flow path in the recovery mode.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the removal device can remove volatile substances from the containment chamber in the first channel and restore the removal function of the removal device in the second channel. As a result, the removal device can efficiently remove volatile substances from the containment chamber.

[0010] The direction in which the air that has passed through the removal section flows in the first flow path may be opposite to the direction in which the air that has passed through the removal section flows in the second flow path.

[0011] With the above configuration, by making the direction of air inflow to the removal section different in the first and second flow paths, the removal section can efficiently adsorb and desorb volatile substances.

[0012] The removal device may further include a heater for heating the removal section, and the removal section may remove the volatile substance by adsorbing it.

[0013] With the above configuration, the removal section is heated by the heater, making it easier for volatile substances to volatilize from the removal section, allowing for efficient detachment of the removal section.

[0014] The removal device further includes a sensor for measuring the concentration of the volatile substance contained in the air within the containment chamber, and the control unit may switch between the removal mode and the recovery mode based on the concentration of the volatile substance measured by the sensor.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the removal device switches between removal mode and recovery mode based on the concentration of volatile substances measured by the sensor, thereby enabling more efficient removal of volatile substances in the containment chamber.

[0016] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the incubator relating to one aspect of this disclosure is provided with the removal device.

[0017] To solve the above problems, an incubator according to one aspect of this disclosure comprises: a containment chamber capable of accommodating a sick child; a removal unit for removing volatile substances from the air in the containment chamber; and a control unit capable of switching between a removal mode in which the removal unit removes the volatile substances and a recovery mode for restoring the volatile substance removal function of the removal unit.

[0018] To solve the above problems, a removal method relating to one aspect of this disclosure includes a removal step of removing volatile substances by a removal unit from the air in a containment chamber of an incubator capable of containing a sick child, and a control step of switching between a removal mode in which the removal unit removes the volatile substances and a recovery mode in which the removal unit restores the function of removing the volatile substances. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to one aspect of this disclosure, volatile substances in a containment chamber can be efficiently removed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a schematic perspective view of the incubator according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] It is a schematic front view of the ethanol removal device. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Figure 2 in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram of the ethanol removal device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing the air flow in the incubator according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] It is an example of a flowchart representing the operation of the control unit. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing the control method (judgment method) of the operation mode. [Figure 8] It is a schematic perspective view of the incubator according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 9] It is a block diagram of the ethanol removal device according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing the air flow in the removal mode of the incubator according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing the air flow in the recovery mode of the incubator according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 12] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA at the position corresponding to Figure 2 in Embodiment 3. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing the air flow in the recovery mode of the incubator according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 14] It is a schematic perspective view of the incubator according to Embodiment 4. [Figure 15] It is a diagram showing the air flow in the incubator according to Embodiment 4. [Figure 16] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the incubator according to Embodiment 5. [Figure 17] It is a schematic perspective view of the incubator according to Embodiment 6. [Figure 18] They are a schematic perspective view and a schematic cross-sectional view of the purification device provided in the incubator according to Embodiment 6. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] [Embodiment 1] An embodiment of this disclosure will be described in detail below. In the following description, the incubator will be explained using a closed-type incubator, which will be described later, as an example.

[0022] Some medical interventions for the child (such as intravenous administration) are performed inside the incubator. Furthermore, it is necessary to adsorb and remove volatile substances from the air inside the incubator. These volatile substances are substances like ethanol, which are used in the medical interventions for child X.

[0023] Therefore, incubators are equipped with volatile substance removal devices that 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 volatile substance removal devices inside the incubator is that it minimizes 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, making it more 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 provided.

[0024] <Overview of Incubators> Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an incubator 1 according to Embodiment 1. The incubator 1 includes a containment chamber 101 for containing the sick child X, a bed 11, a bed stage 13, and a platform 102 on which the containment chamber 101 is placed. The containment chamber 101 is a space enclosed by a cover 101c and a platform 102. Inside the containment chamber 101 are the bed 11, partitions 12 positioned in front of and behind the bed 11, and the bed stage 13.

[0025] The surface 11a of the bed 11 is the surface on which the patient is placed. The bed 11 is installed on a bed stage 13 provided on a mounting base 102. The bed stage 13 allows the bed 11 to be moved vertically or vertically and horizontally. The partition 12 is made of transparent resin and has a predetermined height and width from the surface 11a of the bed 11.

[0026] The cover 101c has two openings 101a for procedures, which allow a doctor or nurse to administer intravenous fluids or other treatments to the child X. When performing any procedure 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, the incubator 1 is equipped with an ethanol removal device 110.

[0027] Incubator 1 is an incubator (a so-called closed-type incubator) equipped with a containment chamber 101 in which the internal temperature and humidity can be adjusted for housing a sick child. For this reason, incubator 1 is further equipped with a circulation unit 410. The circulation unit 410 circulates temperature and humidity-controlled air into 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.

[0028] The mounting platform 102 is equipped with an operation panel 102a that allows the user (doctor, nurse, etc.) to operate the functions of the incubator 1. The drive control of the ethanol removal device 110 is performed by operating the operation panel 102a.

[0029] The mounting base 102 is provided with a first supply unit 510 and a second supply unit 520. The first supply unit 510 supplies at least a portion of the air in the containment chamber 101 to the ethanol removal device 110. The ethanol removal device 110 removes ethanol from the air supplied from the containment chamber 101. The second supply unit 520 supplies at least a portion of the air that has passed through the circulation unit 410 to the containment chamber 101. The containment chamber 101, the first supply unit 510, the ethanol removal device 110, the circulation unit 410, the second supply unit 520, and the containment chamber 101 are connected in that order.

[0030] The first supply unit 510 has an opening that allows air to pass between the containment chamber 101 and the ethanol removal device 110, and the first supply unit 510 is equipped with, for example, a fan. The second supply unit 520 has an opening that allows air to pass between the circulation unit 410 and the containment chamber 101, and the second supply unit 520 is equipped with, for example, a fan.

[0031] This allows ethanol to be removed from the containment chamber 101 while maintaining the temperature and humidity inside the chamber. 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.

[0032] <Overview of Ethanol Removal Device 110> Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the ethanol removal device 110. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Figure 2 in Embodiment 1.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the ethanol removal device 110 includes a housing 111, a removal unit 114, a suction unit 115, and a heater 116. On the front surface 111a of the housing 111, intake units 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 unit 111d (Figure 3) for exhausting the air from which ethanol has been removed inside the housing 111 is provided.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, inside the housing 111, the removal section 114 and the suction section 115 are arranged in order from the intake section 111c to the exhaust section 111d.

[0035] The removal unit 114 contains crushed activated carbon 114a, and the vaporized ethanol contained in the air drawn in by the suction unit 115 from the first opening 114b on the intake unit 111c side is adsorbed by the activated carbon 114a and exhausted from the second opening 114c on the suction unit 115 side. The removal unit 114 removes ethanol by adsorbing it. The removal unit 114 may be a cartridge type containing crushed activated carbon 114a, which may facilitate the replacement of the removal unit 114.

[0036] The suction unit 115 consists of two sirocco fans, which draw air in from the intake unit 111c via the removal unit 114 and exhaust it from the exhaust unit 111d located on the rear surface 111b of the housing 111. Note that the suction unit 115 does not necessarily have to be provided in the ethanol removal device 110, and the second supply unit 520 may also perform that role.

[0037] Furthermore, the first supply unit 510 and the second supply unit 520 may not be provided in the incubator 1 but in the ethanol removal device 110. In this case, there is no fan and an opening is formed in the part where the containment chamber 101 and the ethanol removal device 110 are in communication. Also, there is no fan and an opening is formed in the part where the containment chamber 101 and the circulation unit 410 are in communication. The openings may be provided with lids that can be opened and closed, or they may be provided with mesh lids that can be opened and closed.

[0038] The first supply unit 510 and the second supply unit 520 are provided in the incubator 1, and the first supply unit 510 and the second supply unit 520 are controlled by the ethanol removal device 110. Furthermore, a heater 116 is provided near the removal unit 114 to heat the removal unit 114. The role of the heater 116 will be described later.

[0039] <Block diagram of ethanol removal device 110> Figure 4 is a block diagram of the ethanol removal device 110 according to Embodiment 1. The ethanol removal device 110 includes a control unit 500 that controls each part, and a sensor 530. The control unit 500 is connected to a first supply unit 510, a second supply unit 520, a suction unit 115, a heater 116, and a sensor 530.

[0040] As described above, the first supply unit 510 and the second supply unit 520 are fans responsible for the inflow and outflow of air between the containment chamber 101 and the ethanol removal device 110 and the circulation unit 410. The control unit 500 drives both the first supply unit 510 and the second supply unit 520. As a result, air flows from the containment chamber 101 to the ethanol removal device 110, and ethanol is adsorbed onto the activated carbon 114a in the ethanol removal device 110. The air then passes through the circulation unit 410 and is returned to the containment chamber 101. In other words, by the control unit 500 driving both the first supply unit 510 and the second supply unit 520, the air in the containment chamber 101, the ethanol removal device 110, and the circulation unit 410 is circulated.

[0041] Activated carbon 114a cannot adsorb ethanol indefinitely; its adsorption performance gradually deteriorates as it adsorbs ethanol. Therefore, by heating the activated carbon 114a with the heater 116, the ethanol that has already been adsorbed can be volatilized again, and the adsorption performance of the activated carbon 114a can be restored.

[0042] Furthermore, the sensor 530 measures the concentration of ethanol in the air inside the containment chamber 101. The control unit 500 switches the control of each part based on the measurement results from the sensor 530. Specifically, the control unit 500 switches between removal mode and recovery mode based on the ethanol concentration measured by the sensor 530, and switches the control of each part accordingly. The removal mode and recovery mode will be described later.

[0043] <Operation Mode> The control unit 500 can switch between removal mode and recovery mode, and operates in at least two operating modes: removal mode and recovery mode. The operation and functions of each mode will be described below.

[0044] The removal mode is an operating mode in which ethanol is adsorbed onto activated carbon 114a from the air supplied to the ethanol removal device 110. In removal mode, the control unit 500 drives the first supply unit 510 and the second supply unit 520. As a result, the control unit 500 supplies at least a portion of the air in the containment chamber 101 to the ethanol removal device 110, removes the ethanol in the ethanol removal device 110, and then returns the air to the containment chamber 101. During this time, the heater 116 is turned off.

[0045] Figure 5 shows the airflow in the incubator 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 5, air is circulated between the containment chamber 101 and the ethanol removal device 110 by the first supply unit 510 and the second supply unit 520. At this time, ethanol is removed by the ethanol removal device 110, and the air is adjusted to an appropriate temperature and humidity for the child X by the circulation unit 410.

[0046] The recovery mode is an operating mode in which the ethanol adsorbed on the activated carbon 114a is returned to the air passing through the ethanol removal device 110 and exhausted from the incubator 1 via the containment chamber 101. In recovery mode, the control unit 500 turns on the heater 116 to volatilize the ethanol adsorbed on the activated carbon 114a.

[0047] In recovery mode, the first supply unit 510 and the second supply unit 520 are driven with their outputs reduced compared to removal mode. As a result, the ethanol that was once adsorbed on the activated carbon 114a is mixed with the air that has passed through the ethanol removal device 110 and returned to the containment chamber 101 (see Figure 5). At this time, care is taken to ensure that the concentration of ethanol in the air of the containment chamber 101 does not become excessively high. The air in the containment chamber 101 is naturally exhausted from the gaps and openings 101a formed between the various parts of the incubator 1. The gaps are, for example, the gaps formed between the cover 101c and the mounting base 102.

[0048] In recovery mode, the second supply unit 520 may be driven while the first supply unit 510 is stopped. Alternatively, in recovery mode, the output of the first supply unit 510 may be reduced compared to the removal mode, and the output of the second supply unit 520 may be set to the same output as in the removal mode, while both the first supply unit 510 and the second supply unit 520 are driven. Similarly, the air inside the containment chamber 101 is naturally exhausted through the gaps and openings 101a of the incubator 1.

[0049] In recovery mode, the amount of ethanol adsorbed by the activated carbon 114a decreases, allowing it to adsorb ethanol again in removal mode. Furthermore, even in recovery mode, the control unit 500 controls the system while measuring the ethanol concentration in the containment chamber 101 with the sensor 530, so that the recovery mode can be performed while avoiding exposure of patient X to high concentrations of ethanol. In other words, the control unit 500 switches between removal mode, in which the removal unit 114 (activated carbon 114a) removes ethanol, and recovery mode, in which the ethanol removal function of the removal unit 114 is restored.

[0050] As a result, the processing capacity of the ethanol removal device 110 can be improved by alternately repeating the removal mode and the recovery mode, and the ethanol removal device 110 can efficiently remove ethanol.

[0051] <Control Flow> Figure 6 is an example of a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 500. The control unit 500 first determines whether the operating mode is the removal mode (S11). In other words, it determines the operating mode, and the details of how the operating mode is determined will be described later.

[0052] If the operating mode is removal mode (Yes in S11), the control unit 500 first turns off the heater 116 (S12). Then, it drives the first supply unit 510, the second supply unit 520 and the suction unit 115 at a steady output (S13). The first supply unit 510 supplies air from the containment chamber 101 to the ethanol removal device 110 (S14). The ethanol removal device 110 removes the ethanol contained in the air supplied to the ethanol removal device 110 (S15). The second supply unit 520 draws air from the ethanol removal device 110 to the second supply unit 520 and supplies air to the containment chamber 101 (S16).

[0053] In other words, in removal mode, air circulates between the containment chamber 101 and the ethanol removal device 110, and ethanol is removed from the circulating air in the ethanol removal device 110. The circulation unit 410 may be present while the air is circulating.

[0054] If the operating mode is recovery mode (No in S11), the control unit 500 first turns on the heater 116 (S22). Then, it drives the first supply unit 510, the second supply unit 520 and the suction unit 115 at low output (S23). The first supply unit 510 supplies air from the containment chamber 101 to the ethanol removal device 110 (S24). The ethanol removal device 110 uses the heater 116 to volatilize the ethanol adsorbed by the activated carbon 114a and mixes it with the air passing through the ethanol removal device 110 (S25). The second supply unit 520 draws air from the ethanol removal device 110 to the second supply unit 520 and supplies air to the containment chamber 101 (S26). Then, in the containment chamber 101, natural exhaust occurs from the gap between the containment chamber 101 and the mounting base 102 and from the opening 101a (S27).

[0055] In other words, in recovery mode, air circulates between the containment chamber 101 and the ethanol removal device 110, and the ethanol adsorbed by the activated carbon 114a is vaporized by the heater 116 and mixed into the air passing through the ethanol removal device 110. The air mixed with ethanol at a low concentration is naturally exhausted through the gap and opening 101a between the containment chamber 101 and the mounting base 102. The circulation unit 410 may be present while the air is circulating.

[0056] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the control method (determination method) for the operating mode. The control unit 500 determines whether the ethanol concentration in the containment chamber 101, measured by the sensor 530, is above a predetermined value (S31). If the ethanol concentration is below the predetermined value (No in S31), the control unit 500 maintains the operating mode.

[0057] If the ethanol concentration is above a predetermined value (Yes in S31), the control unit 500 sets the operating mode to removal mode (S32). The control unit 500 also resets the timer and starts up. The control unit 500 checks the timer and confirms whether the duration of the removal mode is above the first predetermined time (S33). If the duration of the removal mode is less than the first predetermined time (No in S33), the control unit 500 returns to S32 and maintains the removal mode.

[0058] If the duration of the removal mode is longer than the first predetermined time (Yes in S33), the control unit 500 sets the operation mode to recovery mode (S34). The control unit 500 also resets the timer and starts up. The control unit 500 checks the timer and confirms whether the duration of the recovery mode is longer than the second predetermined time (S35). If the duration of the recovery mode is less than the second predetermined time (No in S35), the control unit 500 returns to S34 and maintains the recovery mode.

[0059] If the duration of the recovery mode is longer than the second predetermined time (Yes in S35), the control unit 500 sets the operation mode to the removal mode (S36). Note that the operation mode in this case may be the cycle mode described later, rather than the removal mode.

[0060] In other words, the control unit 500 maintains the removal mode for a first predetermined time from the moment the ethanol concentration measured by the sensor 530 exceeds a predetermined value. After the first predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 500 switches from the removal mode to the recovery mode and maintains the recovery mode for a second predetermined time from that point, during which the ethanol that has been adsorbed is again vaporized and exhausted.

[0061] Alternatively, the control unit 500 may maintain the removal mode while the ethanol concentration measured by the sensor 530 is above a predetermined value, and enter the recovery mode while it is below the predetermined value. In other words, the control unit 500 may determine the operating mode based on the value measured by the sensor 530.

[0062] The control unit 500 operates not only based on the ethanol concentration measured by the sensor 530, but may also switch its operation based on the user's operation of the control panel 102a. In this case, the control unit may select and operate in an operation pattern which is a predetermined operation mode or a combination of predetermined operation modes. Such an operation pattern may be to perform the removal mode for a first predetermined time, the recovery mode for a second predetermined time, and then return to the removal mode.

[0063] Furthermore, the operating modes may include a circulation mode in which the flow rate is higher than that of the recovery mode but lower than that of the removal mode. In other words, the control unit 500 maintains the removal mode for a first predetermined time from the moment the ethanol concentration measured by the sensor 530 reaches a predetermined value or higher. After the first predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 500 switches from the removal mode to the recovery mode and maintains the recovery mode for a second predetermined time from that point. In addition, the control unit 500 may switch to the circulation mode after performing the recovery mode for the second predetermined time. In this case, a comfortable airflow for patient X can be achieved in the circulation mode.

[0064] [Embodiment 2] 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.

[0065] In Embodiment 1, exhaust from the incubator 1 was only performed through gaps and openings 101a formed in various parts of the incubator 1, whereas Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 in that forced exhaust is performed. Aside from this difference, Embodiment 2 is the same as Embodiment 1. Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of the incubator 2 according to Embodiment 2.

[0066] Incubator 2 is equipped with an ethanol removal device 110a and a discharge unit 540 in place of the ethanol removal device 110 in incubator 1. The control unit 500 controls the discharge unit 540 in addition to the first supply unit 510, the second supply unit 520, the suction unit 115, the heater 116, and the sensor 530 (see Figure 9).

[0067] The control unit 500 can switch between a first flow path that supplies air to the circulation unit 410 and a second flow path that supplies air to the discharge unit 540. The discharge unit 540 connects the ethanol removal device 110a and the outside of the incubator 2 in the second flow path. The discharge unit 540 is also equipped with a fan. The discharge unit 540 may also connect the space inside the mounting base 102 and the outside of the incubator 2.

[0068] The removal mode in the ethanol removal device 110a uses the first flow path. Figure 10 shows the airflow in the removal mode in the incubator 2 according to Embodiment 2. In the first flow path, air from the containment chamber 101 enters the ethanol removal device 110a via the first supply unit 510, where ethanol is removed. After that, the air that has passed through the ethanol removal device 110a moves to the circulation unit 410, is adjusted to a temperature and humidity suitable for the child X, and then returned to the containment chamber 101 from the second supply unit 520.

[0069] In other words, the first flow path is the same as the air circulation path in Embodiment 1. That is, the first flow path is a flow path through which air flows in the order of containment chamber 101, first supply unit 510, ethanol removal device 110a, circulation unit 410, second supply unit 520, and containment chamber 101. Note that in the removal mode in Embodiment 2, the heater 116 is turned off. Also, natural intake and exhaust are performed in the containment chamber 101.

[0070] The recovery mode in the ethanol removal device 110a uses the second flow path. Figure 11 shows the airflow in the recovery mode in the incubator 2 according to Embodiment 2. In the second flow path, air from the containment chamber 101 enters the ethanol removal device 110a via the first supply unit 510. The second flow path is a flow path in which air flows in the following order: containment chamber 101, first supply unit 510, ethanol removal device 110a, discharge unit 540, and outside the incubator 2.

[0071] Furthermore, because the heater 116 is on, the ethanol adsorbed on the activated carbon 114a in the ethanol removal device 110a volatilizes and dissolves into the air. Therefore, in recovery mode, the concentration of ethanol in the air that has passed through the ethanol removal device 110a increases.

[0072] The air from the ethanol removal device 110a is discharged outside the incubator 2 through the discharge section 540. As air is drawn out of the containment chamber 101, air from outside the incubator 2 enters the containment chamber 101 through the gap formed between the containment chamber 101 and the mounting base 102, and through natural intake from the opening 101a. The second supply section 520 is also stopped.

[0073] In Embodiment 2, during the recovery mode, the air mixed with ethanol is not returned to the containment chamber 101 but is exhausted outside the incubator 2. Therefore, the concentration of ethanol in the containment chamber 101 can be maintained at a sufficiently low level.

[0074] As described above, in Embodiment 2, the control unit 500 can switch between a first flow path through which air that has passed through the removal unit 114 (activated carbon 114a) flows into the containment chamber 101, and a second flow path through which air that has passed through the removal unit 114 flows outside the incubator 2. Furthermore, the control unit 500 controls the air that has passed through the removal unit 114 to flow through the first flow path when in removal mode, and through the second flow path when in recovery mode.

[0075] Furthermore, the naturally drawn-in air may be supplied via the circulation unit 410, adjusted to a temperature and humidity appropriate for the child X. For example, there may be an opening in the wall separating the outside of the incubator 2 from the circulation unit 410, and the control unit 500 may control the opening and closing of a cover provided on this opening. Specifically, in the first flow path, the cover is in a closed state, and in the second flow path, the cover is in an open state.

[0076] [Embodiment 3] 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.

[0077] In Embodiment 3, the incubator 3 is provided with an ethanol removal device 110b instead of the ethanol removal device 110. In Embodiments 1 and 2, air passed from the activated carbon 114a towards the suction section 115 to the ethanol removal device 110 or 110a. However, the difference between the ethanol removal device 110b in Embodiment 3 and the ethanol removal device 110 or 110a is that the direction of airflow can be reversed, and other than this, it is the same as the ethanol removal device 110 or 110a.

[0078] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA at the position corresponding to Figure 2 in Embodiment 3. The ethanol removal device 110b is equipped with a suction unit 115a instead of a suction unit 115. The suction unit 115a is a fan that can rotate in both forward and reverse directions. In other words, the operation of the suction unit 115a can either draw air from the activated carbon 114a towards the suction unit 115a (forward operation) or discharge air from the suction unit 115a towards the activated carbon 114a (reverse operation).

[0079] In removal mode, the control unit 500 operates the suction unit 115a in the forward direction, circulating air through the flow path in Embodiment 1 (see Figure 5). In other words, the direction in which air flows after passing through the removal unit 114 (activated carbon 114a) in removal mode is opposite to the direction in which air flows after passing through the removal unit 114 in recovery mode. To put it another way, the direction in which air flows after passing through the removal unit 114 (activated carbon 114a) in the first flow path is opposite to the direction in which air flows after passing through the removal unit 114 in the second flow path. The first supply unit 510 and the second supply unit 520 operate in synchronization with the suction unit 115a.

[0080] In response, the control unit 500 operates the suction unit 115a in reverse during recovery mode, circulating air through a flow path opposite to that in Embodiment 1. Figure 13 shows the airflow in the incubator 3 during recovery mode according to Embodiment 3. Specifically, the air in the containment chamber 101 is taken in by the circulation unit 410 after passing through the second supply unit 520, and then into the ethanol removal device 110b.

[0081] In the ethanol removal device 110b, the heater 116 is turned on, and the activated carbon 114a is heated, causing the ethanol adsorbed on the activated carbon 114a to volatilize and mix with the air. The air, now mixed with ethanol, passes through the first supply unit 510 and is returned to the containment chamber 101. The air that returns to the containment chamber 101 is naturally exhausted through the gap and opening 101a between the containment chamber 101 and the mounting base 102.

[0082] In removal mode, activated carbon 114a does not uniformly adsorb ethanol. In removal mode, air is passed through the activated carbon 114a in the direction from the first opening 114b to the second opening 114c. In other words, the portion of activated carbon 114a on the first opening 114b side passes through air mixed with a high concentration of ethanol, making it easy to adsorb a large amount of ethanol. In contrast, the portion of activated carbon 114a on the second opening 114c side passes through air mixed with a low concentration of ethanol, making it easy to adsorb a small amount of ethanol.

[0083] As a result, the portion of the activated carbon 114a on the side of the first opening 114b adsorbs a large amount of ethanol, while the portion of the activated carbon 114a on the side of the second opening 114c adsorbs a small amount of ethanol. This causes unevenness in the degree of ethanol adsorption within the activated carbon 114a depending on the direction of airflow.

[0084] Here, we will explain why the airflow is reversed in the recovery mode compared to the removal mode. In the recovery mode, air is passed through the activated carbon 114a in the direction from the second opening 114c toward the first opening 114b. The air passing through the part of the activated carbon 114a on the side of the second opening 114c has a low concentration of ethanol, and volatile ethanol easily dissolves in the part of the activated carbon 114a on the side of the second opening 114c.

[0085] Subsequently, as air moves from the second opening 114c to the first opening 114b within the activated carbon 114a, the ethanol concentration in the air increases, and the ethanol concentration in the activated carbon 114a also increases. Therefore, ethanol can be dissolved into the air passing through the activated carbon 114a.

[0086] In other words, in recovery mode, volatile ethanol can be dissolved so that a concentration gradient of ethanol in the air is created that corresponds to the density gradient of ethanol in the activated carbon 114a. Therefore, ethanol can be removed from the activated carbon 114a with high efficiency, and the function of the ethanol removal device 110b can be restored.

[0087] In the recovery mode, the description shows that the air mixed with ethanol is returned to the containment chamber 101, but this is not the only way. For example, the ethanol removal device 110b may have an air intake and exhaust port for air to the outside of the incubator 3, and in the removal mode, the intake and exhaust ports may be closed, while in the recovery mode, the intake and exhaust ports may be open. Alternatively, the ethanol removal device 110b may have an exhaust port for air to the outside of the incubator 3, and in the removal mode, the exhaust port may be closed, while in the recovery mode, the exhaust port may be open. In other words, in the removal mode, air circulates through the flow path shown in Figure 5.

[0088] In contrast, in recovery mode, air from outside the incubator 3 is drawn in through an intake port formed on the second opening 114c side of the ethanol removal device 110b in removal mode, and the air is discharged outside the incubator 3 through an exhaust port formed on the first opening 114b side of the ethanol removal device 110b in removal mode. As a result, in recovery mode, air is passed through the ethanol removal device 110b in the opposite direction to the direction in which air flows in removal mode. Therefore, ethanol can be removed from the activated carbon 114a with high efficiency.

[0089] [Embodiment 4] 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.

[0090] The difference between the incubator 4 according to Embodiment 4 and the incubator 1 according to Embodiment 1 is that the ethanol removal device 110 is not provided inside the incubator 4. Other than this difference, it is the same as the incubator 1 according to Embodiment 1. The ethanol removal device 110 is provided outside the incubator 4.

[0091] Figure 14 is a schematic perspective view of the incubator 4 according to Embodiment 4. The ethanol removal device 110 is located outside the incubator 4. The containment chamber 101 is provided with a first supply unit 510 and a second supply unit 520. Here, an example is given in which the first supply unit 510 and the second supply unit 520 are provided in the containment chamber 101, but the invention is not limited to this, and the first supply unit 510 and the second supply unit 520 may be provided in the incubator 4. For example, the first supply unit 510 and the second supply unit 520 may be provided on the flow path of a circulation unit 410 (not shown) that is pre-installed in the incubator 4.

[0092] Figure 15 shows the airflow in the incubator 4 according to Embodiment 4. As shown in Figure 15, the air in the containment chamber 101 circulates through the ethanol removal device 110. This circulation may occur in both the removal mode and the recovery mode, as in Embodiment 1. Alternatively, as in Embodiment 2, the air may circulate in the removal mode, and in the recovery mode, the ethanol removal device 110 may exhaust the air mixed with ethanol to the outside of the incubator 4. Furthermore, as in Embodiment 3, the activated carbon 114a may be efficiently restored by reversing the flow path in the recovery mode. Natural intake and exhaust are performed through the gap and opening 101a between the containment chamber 101 and the mounting base 102.

[0093] In this embodiment, by attaching the ethanol removal device 110 externally to the incubator 4, the situation in which the child X is exposed to ethanol can be improved. Therefore, it has the advantage of low implementation costs.

[0094] [Embodiment 5] 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.

[0095] The incubator 5 according to Embodiment 5 differs from the incubator 2 according to Embodiment 2 in that the first supply unit 510 and the discharge unit 540 are changed to the first supply unit 510a and the discharge unit 540a, respectively, and that it does not have a second supply unit 520. Another difference between the incubator 5 and the incubator 2 is that the configuration of the ethanol removal device 110, excluding the control unit 500, is changed to a removal unit 110c. Note that the water tank 17, heating unit 18, heater 19 and first supply unit 510a shown in Figure 16 are examples of the circulation unit 410 and are arranged inside the mounting base 102. Furthermore, the incubator 5 differs from the incubator 2 in that openings 510p and 520p are formed on the upper surface of the mounting base 102 and an opening 540p is formed on the side surface of the mounting base 102.

[0096] Furthermore, openings 510p and 520p do not necessarily have to be formed on the upper surface of the mounting base 102. In this case, a gap is formed between the bed 11 and the cover 101c, and this gap communicates with the internal space of the mounting base 102, allowing air to flow through the gap. Also, a gap may be formed between the partition 12 and the cover 101c, and this gap communicates with the internal space of the mounting base 102, allowing air to flow through the gap.

[0097] Figure 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the incubator 5 according to Embodiment 5. As shown in Figure 16, a water tank 17, a heating unit 18, a heater 19, a removal unit 110c, a first supply unit 510a, and a discharge unit 540a are arranged inside the mounting base 102. The ethanol removal device according to Embodiment 5 includes a removal unit 110c and a control unit 500.

[0098] 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 supplied to the containment chamber 101 by the second supply unit 520a. The water tank 17 and the heating unit 18 constitute a boiler. The heater 19 raises the temperature inside the containment chamber 101 by heating the air inside the mounting base 102. The water tank 17 and the heating unit 18 are examples of humidification means, and the heater 19 is an example of heating means.

[0099] The control unit 500 can switch between removal mode and recovery mode. In removal mode, the control unit 500 drives the first supply unit 510a. At this time, the air that was in the containment chamber 101 is returned to the containment chamber 101 by the first supply unit 510a through the opening 510p, through the inside of the mounting base 102, and through the opening 520p. This flow path is the first flow path. At this time, since the discharge unit 540a is turned off, almost no air flows out from the opening 540p. Although the discharge unit 540a is located between the first supply unit 510a and the opening 520p, the discharge unit 540a does not completely block the flow path, so air can flow through the gap around the discharge unit 540a.

[0100] The removal unit 110c is a filter that removes ethanol from the air supplied from inside the containment chamber 101. This filter is, for example, an activated carbon filter. The air from which ethanol has been removed by the removal unit 110c is supplied to the containment chamber 101 through the opening 520p by the first supply unit 510a. If covers are provided over the openings 520p and 540p, the control unit 500 will keep the opening 520p open and the opening 540p closed in removal mode.

[0101] In recovery mode, the control unit 500 drives the first supply unit 510a and the discharge unit 540a. At this time, the air that was in the containment chamber 101 is drawn up by the first supply unit 510a through the opening 510p, through the inside of the mounting base 102, and then discharged to the outside of the incubator 5 through the opening 540p by the discharge unit 540a. This flow path is the second flow path. If covers are provided on the openings 520p and 540p, the control unit 500 opens the opening 540p and closes the opening 520p in recovery mode.

[0102] Since the discharge section 540a is located near the first supply section 510a, the air mixed with ethanol by the removal section 110c can be efficiently exhausted to the outside of the incubator 5.

[0103] Furthermore, the removal unit 110c may also be equipped with a heater 116. In this case, the control unit 500 turns off the heater 116 in removal mode and turns on the heater 116 in recovery mode.

[0104] [Embodiment 6] 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.

[0105] The incubator 6 according to Embodiment 6 differs from the incubator 1 according to Embodiment 1 in that it is provided with a purification device 120, does not have a first supply unit 510 and a second supply unit 520, and has openings 510p and 520p formed on the upper surface of the mounting base 102. Another difference between the incubator 6 and the incubator 1 is that the ethanol removal device 110 is not provided. Embodiment 6 assumes that the purification device 120 includes a suction unit 125, which will be described later. Note that if the incubator 6 is an open-type incubator, it is not necessary to include a circulation unit 410.

[0106] Furthermore, openings 510p and 520p do not necessarily have to be formed on the upper surface of the mounting base 102. In this case, a gap is formed between the bed 11 and the cover 101c, and this gap communicates with the internal space of the mounting base 102, allowing air to flow through the gap. Also, a gap may be formed between the partition 12 and the cover 101c, and this gap communicates with the internal space of the mounting base 102, allowing air to flow through the gap.

[0107] Figure 17 is a schematic perspective view of the incubator 6 according to Embodiment 6. Figure 18 is a schematic perspective view and a schematic cross-sectional view of the purification device 120 provided in the incubator 6 according to Embodiment 6. Reference numeral A1 in Figure 18 indicates a schematic perspective view of the purification device 120, and reference numeral A2 in Figure 18 indicates a cross-sectional view of the purification device 120 shown by reference numeral A1 in Figure 18, taken along the line BB.

[0108] <Overview of the purification system> As shown by reference numeral A1 in Figure 18, the purification device 120 includes two integrally mounted 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 unit. The purification device 120 is an example of an ethanol removal device.

[0109] The front surface 121a of the first housing 121 is provided with an air intake section 121b for taking in air. The rear part of the first housing 121, including the rear surface of the first housing 121, is connected to the second housing 122 internally at the bottom surface 121c of the first housing 121, and the air drawn in by the air intake section 121b is guided to the second housing 122.

[0110] The rear 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.

[0111] As shown by reference numeral A2 in Figure 18, an exhaust section 122b for exhausting air is provided on the rear surface 122a of the second housing 122 (the surface opposite to the side communicating with the first housing 121). 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. The purification device 120 has an inverted L-shaped cross-section and is installed in the partition section 12 inside the housing chamber 101. That is, the purification device 120 is installed above the mounting surface. The exhaust section 122b may also be located at the opening 520p. In this case, the air exhausted from the exhaust section 122b flows into the interior of the mounting base 102 through the opening 520p.

[0112] 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 air drawn in from the intake section 121b. Therefore, if the amount of ethanol contained in the air is small, all of the ethanol will be adsorbed in the first removal section 124. As the first removal section 124, sheet-shaped activated carbon, which is fibrous activated carbon molded into a sheet, is used.

[0113] 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 124 is reattached to the first housing 121.

[0114] The suction unit 125 consists of a single sirocco fan, which draws 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 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.

[0115] 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.

[0116] <Operation Mode> In this embodiment, the control unit 500 may be provided in the purification device 120 or in the incubator 6. In removal mode, the control unit 500 drives the suction unit 125 of the purification device 120. As a result, the control unit 500 forms a first flow path through which air that has passed through the first removal unit 124 and the second removal unit 126 of the purification device 120 flows into the containment chamber 101. This will be explained in detail below.

[0117] In removal mode, the purification device 120 draws in air from the containment chamber 101 and removes ethanol from the drawn-in air. The purification device 120 supplies the ethanol-free air into the mounting base 102 through the opening 520p. The air supplied into the mounting base 102 by the purification device 120 flows into the containment chamber 101 through the opening 510p.

[0118] In recovery mode, the control unit 500 drives the suction unit 125 of the purification device 120 with a different output than in removal mode. Specifically, the control unit 500 drives the suction unit 125 with a lower output than in removal mode. As a result, the purification device 120 draws in air from the containment chamber 101 and mixes ethanol into the drawn-in air. The air mixed with ethanol is then naturally exhausted from the gap and opening 101a between the containment chamber 101 and the mounting base 102. When the control unit 500 lowers the output of the suction unit 125 compared to removal mode, it may also drive a heater (described later) to promote the desorption of ethanol from the first removal unit 124 and the second removal unit 126.

[0119] Furthermore, in order to efficiently mix ethanol into the air, the purification device 120 may be equipped with heaters to heat the first removal unit 124 and the second removal unit 126, and the control unit 500 turns on these heaters. The purification device 120 supplies the air mixed with ethanol into the interior of the mounting table 102 through the opening 520p. The air supplied into the interior of the mounting table 102 by the purification device 120 returns to the containment chamber 101 through the opening 510p. At this time, the control unit 500 adjusts the output of the suction unit 125 and the heater so that the patient X is not exposed to high concentrations of ethanol.

[0120] [Embodiment 7] 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.

[0121] The difference between the incubator according to Embodiment 7 and the incubator according to Embodiment 1 is that the placement of the ethanol removal device 110 can be changed. The ethanol removal device 110 may be placed inside or outside the containment chamber 101.

[0122] With the ethanol removal device 110 positioned inside the containment chamber 101, for example on the surface 11a, the control unit 500 turns off the heater 116 and turns on the suction unit 115 in removal mode. The ethanol removal device 110 sucks in the air inside the containment chamber 101, removes the ethanol, and then exhausts it back into the containment chamber 101.

[0123] With the ethanol removal device 110 positioned outside the incubator, the control unit 500, in recovery mode, turns on the heater 116 and the suction unit 115. The ethanol removal device 110 recovers the removal function of the removal unit 114 by drawing in air from outside the incubator and mixing ethanol into the drawn-in air.

[0124] Furthermore, the output of the suction unit 115 may be greater than in the removal mode, as increasing the output allows more ethanol to be mixed into the air, thereby efficiently restoring the removal function of the removal unit 114. Also, similar to Embodiment 3, the suction unit 115 may be rotated in reverse in the recovery mode.

[0125] The ethanol removal device 110 also has a mode selection button, and the control unit 500 may switch between the removal mode and the recovery mode by operating this mode selection button.

[0126] [Variation 1] The first supply unit 510 and the second supply unit 520 may have fans for circulating air between the containment chamber 101 and the ethanol removal device 110. Furthermore, when switching the flow path, the flow path may be clearly switched not only by changing the fan rotation speed, but also by using a three-way valve or a movable wall.

[0127] [Variation 2] In the above embodiment 1, if the ethanol removal device 110 is separate from the incubator 1, that is, if the ethanol removal device 110 is installed in the incubator 1, then the first supply unit 510 and the second supply unit 520 are included in the ethanol removal device 110. On the other hand, if the ethanol removal device 110 is integrated with the incubator 1, that is, if the ethanol removal device 110 is included in the incubator 1, then the first supply unit 510 and the second supply unit 520 are included in the incubator 1.

[0128] [Variation 3] In the above embodiment 1, if the ethanol removal device 110 is separate from the incubator 1, that is, if the ethanol removal device 110 is installed in the incubator 1, the control unit 500 may perform control independently without coordinating with the control unit (not shown) installed in the incubator 1. Alternatively, in this case, the control unit 500 may perform control in coordination with the control unit installed in the incubator 1.

[0129] Furthermore, if the ethanol removal device 110 is provided in the incubator 1, with respect to Figure 4, the control unit 500 may control only the heater 116, and the control unit provided in the incubator 1 may control the first supply unit 510, the second supply unit 520, and the suction unit 115. Moreover, the control unit 500 may be included in the incubator 1, in which case the ethanol removal device 110 does not need to have a control unit.

[0130] On the other hand, if the ethanol removal device 110 is integrated with the incubator 1, that is, if the ethanol removal device 110 is included in the incubator 1, the control unit 500 may perform control of each part of the incubator 1. In this case, the control unit 500 may not be included in the ethanol removal device 110, but rather in the incubator 1. Here, the incubator 1 is an integrated incubator that is integrated with the ethanol removal device 110, or an integrated incubator that is integrated with the control unit 500. In the above embodiment 6, the incubator 6 may be an integrated incubator that is integrated with the purification device 120.

[0131] Furthermore, in the embodiment 5 described above, the incubator 1 may also include a removal unit 110c and a control unit 500. In this case, the control unit 500 can switch between a removal mode in which the removal unit 110c removes ethanol and a recovery mode in which the ethanol removal function of the removal unit 110c is restored.

[0132] [Variation 4] In the above embodiment 1, the ethanol removal device 110 may be equipped with a detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the presence of patient X. The detection sensor is, for example, an optical sensor. If the presence of patient X is detected by the detection sensor, the control unit 500 executes the removal mode, and if the presence of patient X is not detected by the detection sensor, it executes the recovery mode.

[0133] [Variation 5] In the above embodiment 1, the ethanol removal device 110 shown in Figure 3 may be equipped with a first gas sensor (not shown). The first gas sensor is provided between the removal unit 114 and the suction unit 115. The first gas sensor is a sensor for detecting a decrease in the ethanol adsorption capacity of the removal unit 114.

[0134] The control unit 500 switches from removal mode to recovery mode when it determines that the concentration of ethanol detected by the first gas sensor is equal to or greater than a preset value. In this way, the control unit 500 determines the adsorption state of the removal unit 114 (whether it is in a state of breakthrough (adsorption has exceeded the adsorption capacity and the adsorbed material is leaking) or a state where adsorption is sufficient) from the concentration of ethanol detected by the first gas sensor.

[0135] Therefore, the first gas sensor functions as a breakthrough sensor. In other words, the first gas sensor is a sensor that detects a decrease in the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon 114a in the removal unit 114, and the control unit 500 can determine whether or not to switch from the removal mode to the recovery mode based on the detection result of the first gas sensor.

[0136] [Variation 6] In the above embodiment 3, the ethanol removal device 110b shown in Figure 12 may be equipped with a second gas sensor (not shown). The second gas sensor is provided between the intake section 111c and the removal section 114. The second gas sensor is a sensor for detecting an increase in the ethanol adsorption capacity of the removal section 114.

[0137] The control unit 500 switches from recovery mode to removal mode when it determines that the concentration of ethanol detected by the second gas sensor is below a preset value. In this way, the control unit 500 determines the adsorption state of the removal unit 114 from the concentration of ethanol detected by the second gas sensor.

[0138] Therefore, the second gas sensor is a sensor that detects an increase in the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon 114a in the removal unit 114, and the control unit 500 can determine whether or not to switch from recovery mode to removal mode based on the detection result of the second gas sensor.

[0139] [Variation 7] In Embodiment 5, the opening 540p may be formed on the side surface of the mounting base 102 near the opening 510p. The discharge section 540a may also be provided near the opening 510p. In Modification 7, the control unit 500 can control the opening and closing of the openings 510p and 540p. In Modification 7, the direction of airflow is opposite to the direction of airflow in Embodiment 5.

[0140] In removal mode, the control unit 500 drives the first supply unit 510a and the discharge unit 540a to form a first flow path through which the air that has passed through the removal unit 110c flows into the containment chamber 101. This will be explained in detail below.

[0141] In removal mode, the first supply unit 510a draws air from the containment chamber 101 into the interior of the mounting table 102 through the opening 520p. The first supply unit 510a supplies the drawn-in air to the removal unit 110c.

[0142] The removal unit 110c removes ethanol from the air supplied from inside the containment chamber 101. The air from which ethanol has been removed by the removal unit 110c is heated by the heater 19 and then supplied to the containment chamber 101 through the opening 510p by the discharge unit 540a. If covers are provided over the openings 510p and 540p, the control unit 500 sets the opening 510p to an open state and the opening 540p to a closed state in the removal mode.

[0143] In recovery mode, the control unit 500 drives the first supply unit 510a and the discharge unit 540a to form a second flow path through which the air that has passed through the removal unit 110c flows outside the incubator 5. This will be explained in detail below.

[0144] In recovery mode, the first supply unit 510a draws air from the containment chamber 101 into the mounting base 102 through the opening 520p. The first supply unit 510a supplies the drawn-in air to the removal unit 110c. The air from which ethanol has been removed by the removal unit 110c is heated by the heater 19 and then supplied to the outside of the incubator 5 through the opening 540p by the discharge unit 540a. If covers are provided over the openings 510p and 540p, the control unit 500 closes the opening 510p and opens the opening 540p in recovery mode.

[0145] In recovery mode, the air in the containment chamber 101 is drawn out, and air from outside the incubator 5 enters the containment chamber 101 through the gap and opening 101a formed between the containment chamber 101 and the mounting base 102.

[0146] [Variation 8] In the first embodiment described above, an example was given in which the intake section 111c of 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 of 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.

[0147] [Variation 9] In the first embodiment described above, a sirocco fan was used for the suction unit 115 because the direction of air flowing through the removal unit 114 and the suction unit 115 was perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the fan. However, the fan is not limited to this. For example, if the direction of air flowing through the removal unit 114 and the suction unit 115 is the same as the rotation axis direction of the fan, an axial fan can be used for the suction unit 115. In this way, other types of fans may be used depending on the arrangement of the removal unit 114 and the suction unit 115. Furthermore, the number of fans used in the suction unit 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.

[0148] [Experimental variation 10] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which crushed activated carbon is used as the adsorbent in the removal section 114. However, the invention is not limited to this, and other adsorbents such as sheet-shaped activated carbon and pellet-shaped activators may be used.

[0149] Furthermore, the ethanol removal device 110 may be configured to remove ethanol by both adsorption and decomposition. For example, the removal unit 114 may be equipped with an adsorbent and a catalyst, so that ethanol adsorption by the adsorbent and ethanol decomposition by the catalyst are performed within a single removal unit.

[0150] [Experimental Variation 11] In the above embodiment 1, the ethanol removal device 110 may be provided with a sensor for detecting wind speed on the intake side (hereinafter referred to as a wind speed sensor). In this case, the control unit 500 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 500 controls the motor to keep the rotation speed of the fan of the suction unit 115 constant.

[0151] For example, if the wind speed sensor detects that the wind speed is faster than a certain wind speed and exceeds a predetermined range, the control unit 500 controls the motor to reduce the rotation speed of the fan in the suction unit 115, and if it detects that the wind speed is slower than a certain wind speed, it controls the motor to increase the rotation speed of the fan in the suction unit 115.

[0152] This prevents the ethanol removal device 110 from over-operating, particularly the motor that rotates the fan of the suction unit 115, which could affect the environment inside the incubator 1. In this way, the ethanol removal device 110 can constantly monitor the airflow on the intake side by equipping it with an airflow sensor. As a result, the ethanol removal device 110 can draw in an appropriate amount of air.

[0153] [Additional Notes] This disclosure 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 this disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0154] 1~6 incubator 11 beds 12 Partition section 13 Bed Stages 101 Confinement Room 102 Mounting platform 110, 110a, 110b Ethanol Removal Device (Removal Device) 111 cabinets 114, 110c removal part 115, 115a Suction part 116 Heater 120 Purification device (removal device) 124 1st removal section 126 2nd removal section 410 Circulation Department 500 Control Unit 510 1st supply section 520 2nd supply section 530 Sensor 540 Discharge section

Claims

1. A removal device installed in an incubator equipped with a room capable of accommodating a sick child, A removal unit for removing volatile substances from the air inside the containment chamber, The removal unit comprises a removal mode in which the removal unit removes the volatile substance and a control unit that can switch between a removal mode in which the removal unit restores the volatile substance removal function, The control unit, The system allows switching between a first flow path through which the air that has passed through the removal section flows into the containment chamber, and a second flow path through which the air that has passed through the removal section flows outside the incubator. A removal device that controls the air that has passed through the removal section to flow through the first channel in the removal mode and through the second channel in the recovery mode.

2. The removal device according to claim 1, wherein the direction in which the air that has passed through the removal section flows in the first flow path is opposite to the direction in which the air that has passed through the removal section flows in the second flow path.

3. The removal section is further equipped with a heater for heating the removal section. The removal device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the removal unit removes the volatile substance by adsorbing the volatile substance.

4. A removal device installed in an incubator equipped with a room capable of accommodating a sick child, A removal unit for removing volatile substances from the air inside the containment chamber, A control unit that can switch between a removal mode in which the removal unit removes the volatile substance and a recovery mode in which the removal unit restores the function of removing the volatile substance, The system includes a sensor for measuring the concentration of the volatile substance contained in the air within the containment chamber, The control unit, When the concentration of the volatile substance measured by the sensor exceeds a predetermined value, the operating mode is set to the removal mode. A removal device that switches from the removal mode to the recovery mode when the duration of the removal mode ends after the start of the removal mode, or when the concentration of the volatile substance falls below a predetermined value.

5. An incubator provided with the removal device described in claim 1 or 2.

6. A room capable of accommodating a sick child, A removal unit for removing volatile substances from the air inside the containment chamber, An incubator comprising a control unit capable of switching between a removal mode in which the removal unit removes the volatile substance and a recovery mode in which the removal unit restores the volatile substance removal function, The control unit, The system allows switching between a first flow path through which the air that has passed through the removal section flows into the containment chamber, and a second flow path through which the air that has passed through the removal section flows outside the incubator. An incubator that controls the air that has passed through the removal section to flow through the first channel in the removal mode and through the second channel in the recovery mode.

7. A removal step in which volatile substances are removed by a removal unit from the air inside the containment chamber of the incubator, which is capable of housing a sick child, A removal method comprising a control step of switching between a removal mode in which the removal unit removes the volatile substance and air passing through the removal unit flows into the containment chamber, and a recovery mode in which the removal unit restores its function of removing the volatile substance and air passing through the removal unit flows outside the incubator.

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