Abstract
The thermal environment surrounding preterm neonates in closed incubators is regulated via air temperature control mode. At present, these control modes do not take account of all the thermal parameters involved in a pattern of incubator such as the thermal parameters of preterm neonates (birth weight < 1000grams). The objective of this work is to design and validate a generalized predictive control (GPC) that takes into account the closed incubator model as well as the newborn premature model. Then, we implemented this control law on a DRAGER neonatal incubator with and without newborn using microcontroller card. Methods: The design of the predictive control law is based on a prediction model. The developed model allows us to take into account all the thermal exchanges (radioactive, conductive, convective and evaporative) and the various interactions between the environment of the incubator and the premature newborn. Results: The predictive control law and the simulation model developed in Matlab/Simulink environment make it possible to evaluate the quality of the mode of control of the air temperature to which newborn must be raised. The results of the simulation and implementation of the air temperature inside the incubator (with newborn and without newborn) prove the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed GPC controller compared with a proportional–integral–derivative controller (PID controller).
Highlights
For many years, incubators have been used to create a comfortable and healthful hygrothermal environment for neonates
One of the most important questions addressed by this study is “How the interference between the newborn and the incubator influences the regulation of the air temperature in the incubator?” In this direction, the combined newborn incubator model has been developed and described
The feedback system is developed for the Simulink model using Generalized Predictive Control (GPC) and compared with PID control
Summary
Incubators have been used to create a comfortable and healthful hygrothermal environment for neonates. Within this context, a neonatal incubator contributes to better newborns [1]. The internal temperature can be completely controlled. This property decreases the neonate temperature variance due to large differences between the air and the skin temperature. [8] has developed a theoretical model of infant incubator dynamic for the analysis of the factors that influence neonatal thermoregulation Most authors have limited their research to a mathematical model [3]-[5] useful for a computer simulation of the neonateincubator system with classical controller (ON-OFF or PID); [6] developed a simulator of neonatal energy transfer to provide a convenient and precise comparison of sensible heat loss in the incubator. [7] describes the fundamental equations involved in the thermal exchange between infants and their environment. [8] has developed a theoretical model of infant incubator dynamic for the analysis of the factors that influence neonatal thermoregulation
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