medicradle

MediCradle is a new type of infant incubator that has been designed to work in the challenging conditions of developing countries.

Low Cost

Because of the financial situation of many developing countries, MediCradle has been designed to be extremely affordable. Our current goal is to have MediCradle incubators available for a cost of less than $3500 each, which is roughly 5% – 10% of the cost of most new incubators.

Durable

MediCradle has been “over-designed” so as to operate in difficult and challenging conditions and environments, using rugged construction and heavy duty medical-grade materials.

Electrical Power Options

MediCradle is designed to automatically detect and adapt to various electrical sources, including 220V AC, 110V AC, and even 12V DC (i.e. car batteries) or solar power. In addition, the MediCradle has its own trickle charger to recharge any car battery that is attached, so that this battery will be recharged for the next power outage.

Filtered Air

Newborns are among the most susceptible to infections, pathogens, airborne germs, and other diseases. In developing countries, not only are newborns at risk from insects (malaria-carrying mosquitoes, tsetse flies, etc.), but also additional airborne germs and diseases usually present in these hospital settings. MediCradle uses an inexpensive, easily replaceable .3 micron air filter, which is small enough to filter out even TB.

Efficient Power Usage

MediCradle has been designed to be extremely efficient and heat retentive due to special insulation, meaning that the unit will remain operational for long periods of time when using a car battery or solar panels as power. The more heat that is preserved, the less power that will be needed to run the unit.

Adjustable Lighting

MediCradle has been designed with continuously variable interior lighting, so that dim light can be maintained at night to view the infant, or brighter light can be used when necessary.

Easy to Operate

Medical personnel can operate the MediCradle with minimal training, using easy to understand instructions. There are numerous safeguards built in, to help insure that the infant won’t be harmed due to operator misuse.

Easy to Maintain & Repair

MediCradle has been engineered using robust, long-lasting parts (including fans, heating units, and electronics) that are designed to last up to 10 years before needing replacement. Repairs can be easily and simply done with virtually no training, by replacing individual modules. The easy-to-understand repair manual is only one page long.

Designed to Meet International Engineering Standards

MediCradle has been designed to meet all applicable IEC standards (International Electrotechnical Commission, Incubator Standards IEC 60601-2-19), which is the standard currently in use by most countries. In addition, the MediCradle goes above and beyond these requirements, by providing numerous features (high efficiency and durability, ease of repair, air filters, ability to run off car batteries, solar power, etc.) not required by any conventional standards.

Currently, our eleventh prototype is undergoing testing and modification at F2 Labs in Maryland. Our expectation is that by early 2024, the MediCradle incubator will be certified, meeting all IEC standards. The prototype will then undergo specific medical clinical testing to assure all necessary conditions are met at which point, we will be looking to ramp up full production. Stay tuned for details!

Incubator Options Available to Developing Countries

FACTOR	New Incubator	Used Incubator	Wooden Incubator Kit	Cardboard Incubator Kit	MediCradle™
Cost	Very High – up to $105K	Low to Med $500-$5000	Very Low $200-$500	Very Low $75	Low $3500 est.
IEC International Certification	Yes	No	No	No	Yes
Reliable Upon Delivery	Yes	No	No	No	Yes
Designed for Harsh Environments	No	No	No	No	Yes
Germ Resistant Construction	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes
Easily Repairable	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Readily Available Replacement Parts	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Provides Filtered Air	No	No	No	No	Yes
Efficient (to conserve power)	No	No	No	No	Yes
Automatically Adapts to Power Source	Maybe	Maybe	No	No	Yes
Runs on a 12 Volt Car Battery	No	No	No	No	Yes

What else is needed?

…You!

Our goal is to fundraise for the construction of these units so that developing countries do not have to pay for them. We are hoping to have MediCradle incubators available for a cost of $3,500 each – a fraction of the cost of most other new incubators. Once development costs are covered and production is underway, your contribution will help to lower the cost of each MediCradle, in order to make as many of these devices available as possible to those clinics and hospitals who so desperately need this life-saving device.

Make a Donation