isolette
Enclosed incubator providing controlled temperature, humidity, and oxygen environment for premature or critically ill newborns.
Full Definition
An isolette is a specialized enclosed incubator designed to provide a controlled microenvironment for neonates who cannot maintain their own body temperature or require specific atmospheric conditions. These devices maintain precise temperature and humidity levels while allowing access through porthole openings for medical procedures and parental interaction. Modern isolettes often include integrated monitoring systems, phototherapy capabilities, and servo-controlled heating to respond automatically to the infant's temperature. The term 'isolette' is actually a trademark of Dräger Medical, though it has become genericized in common usage to refer to any neonatal incubator.
Usage
Usage note: Technically a trademark but widely used generically; some prefer 'incubator'.
In Context
- "The preterm infant was placed in an isolette to maintain thermal neutrality." — Nursing care plan
- "Humidity levels in the isolette were increased to 85% for the ELBW infant." — Environmental controls documentation