Incubator

Incubator
In biotechnology. an apparatus in which environmental conditions can be set and controlled. Incubators are used in microbiology for culturing (growing) bacteria and other microorganisms. Incubators in tissue culture rooms are used for culturing stem cells, lymphocytes, skin fibroblasts and other types of cells. And in the hospital nursery and newborn intensive care unit (NICU), incubators serve to house and maintain premature and ill infants. Incubators were developed for infants in France as early as 1857. The first one in the US was built by Dr. William Champion Deming at the State Emigrant Hospital, Ward's Island, New York. The "hatching cradle" was first occupied on September 7, 1888 by Edith Eleanor McLean, birth weight 2 pounds, 7 ounces. The device was warmed by 15 gallons of water.
* * *
1. A container in which controlled environmental conditions may be maintained; e.g., for culturing microorganisms. 2. An apparatus for maintaining an infant (usually premature) in an environment of proper oxygenation, humidity, and temperature.

* * *

in·cu·ba·tor 'iŋ-kyə-.bāt-ər, 'in- n one that incubates esp an apparatus with a chamber used to provide controlled environmental conditions esp. for the cultivation of microorganisms or the care and protection of premature or sick babies

* * *

n.
a transparent container for keeping premature babies in controlled conditions and protecting them from infection. Other forms of incubator are used for cultivating bacteria in Petri dishes and for hatching eggs.

* * *

in·cu·ba·tor (inґku-ba″tər) 1. an apparatus for maintaining a premature infant in an environment of proper temperature and humidity. 2. an apparatus for maintaining a constant and suitable temperature for the development of eggs, cultures of microorganisms, or other living cells.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • incubator — in‧cu‧ba‧tor [ˈɪŋkjbeɪtə ǁ ər] noun [countable] COMMERCE COMPUTING a company or organization that provides help and support for new companies, especially ones using advanced technology or the Internet: • The government set up an Internet… …   Financial and business terms

  • incubator — INCUBATÓR, incubatoare, s.n. Instalaţie special amenajată, de clocire artificială, pentru asigurarea condiţiilor de temperatură, umiditate, ventilaţie, întoarcerea ouălor, securitate etc., necesare dezvoltării normale a embrionului de ou; cloşcă… …   Dicționar Român

  • Incubator — In cu*ba tor, n. 1. That which incubates, especially, an apparatus by means of which eggs are hatched by artificial heat. [1913 Webster] 2. An apparatus containing an enclosed chamber, used for the cultivation of micro[ o]rganisms or tissue… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Incubator — Allgemeine Informationen Genre(s) Death Metal Gründung 1989 Website http://www.the sixth dime …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • incubator — (n.) apparatus for hatching eggs by artificial heat, 1845, from INCUBATE (Cf. incubate) + OR (Cf. or) …   Etymology dictionary

  • incubator — meaning ‘a device for keeping a baby at a constant temperature’, is spelt or not er …   Modern English usage

  • incubator — ► NOUN 1) an apparatus used to hatch eggs or grow micro organisms under controlled conditions. 2) an enclosed apparatus providing a controlled and protective environment for the care of premature babies …   English terms dictionary

  • incubator — [in′kyə bāt΄ər, iŋ′kyə bāt΄ər] n. a person or thing that incubates; specif., a) an artificially heated container for hatching eggs b) a similar apparatus in which premature babies are kept for a period c) an apparatus for growing microbial or… …   English World dictionary

  • incubator — /in kyeuh bay teuhr, ing /, n. 1. an apparatus in which eggs are hatched artificially. 2. an enclosed apparatus in which prematurely born infants are kept in controlled conditions, as of temperature, for protection and care. 3. an apparatus in… …   Universalium

  • incubator — n. A company that helps a start up business by providing office space and equipment, arranging financing, and offering business guidance. Example Citation: Incubators are the future of business, said Howard Morgan, vice chairman of Pasadena based …   New words

  • incubator — [[t]ɪ̱nkjʊbeɪtə(r)[/t]] incubators 1) N COUNT An incubator is a piece of hospital equipment which helps weak or small babies to survive. It consists of a transparent container in which the oxygen and temperature levels can be controlled. 2) N… …   English dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”