In Nice, France, Alexandre Lion, developed in the 1890s a much more sophisticated incubator that that of Tarnier’s. The Lion incubator was designed to compensate for less than-optimal nursing environment. Unfortunately, it was expensive, limiting its appeals to charity or government supported hospitals.2 Even though it was expensive, and the invention has greatly reduced the mortality rate. As of 2012, there are only 5.98 deaths per 1000 live births in The United States of America.
Though successful, the traditional incubator is also extremely expensive of about $20,000. Though Singapore is very developed, there are people suffering from poverty in our society. In 2000, 12.6% of households were paid below S$1000 monthly. There will inevitably be premature births in these households as well. They, however, will not be able to afford the price of the incubators.
Thus, I propose to use a cheaper, yet, equally effective adaptation of an incubator to benefit the less fortunate of our community. The incubator would have to be inexpensive and probably reusable. The thermoregulator contains a pouch for “phase-change material” that maintains the baby’s temperature for up to four hours. That pouch can then be recharged by submerging it in boiling water for a few minutes. This incubator is small and light, making it easy and inexpensive to transport. Moreover, it only costs $25. This adaptation of an incubator would be extremely useful for the underprivileged in our society. The thermoregulator was used on a baby who was intitially experiencing cold stress, but was safely brought back to normal body temperature of 35°C-38°C for the full four-hour duration.
This adaptation of the invention can be presented as an alternative to parents who belong to a lower income group. This will provide them with an option as to whether they are willing to use the thermoregulator.
The pediatric department of hospitals in Singapore such as National University Hospital and the Singapore General Hospital can be surveyed as to whether they are willing to offer the option to lower income parents. However, parents may not feel safe using the adaptation of the incubator. Thus, we can suggest hospitals to test the thermoregulator and assure parents that it is indeed safe.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Dictionary
Historical Perspective: The Incubator and the Medical Discovery of the Premature Infant
3 Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook,
4 Venture Capital Dispatch
5Singapore Poverty Inquiry by Shweta Pangam:
6 Venture Capital Dispatch
