Process for operating an incubator

A process for operating an incubator with at least one first temperature sensor for determining the temperature T1 in the interior space of the incubator, at least one second temperature sensor for determining the skin temperature T2 of the patient, a heating device for heating the incubator, and a measuring and control unit, the process comprising the step of:

• activating the process with an input element at a time t0;
• regulating the heating device with the measuring and control unit as a function of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor in the interior space of the incubator such that the temperature measured in the interior space of the incubator during the time period t0-t1 preceding said activating of the process is used as the set point for the temperature in the interior space of the incubator;
• comparing the skin temperature of the patient, detected by the second temperature sensors, with preset upper and/or lower temperature limit values for the skin temperature and triggering an alarm via the measuring and control unit when these limit values are overshot or undershot;
• providing an alarm circuit which triggers an alarm as a function of the opening of the incubator and the associated temperature change in the incubator and deactivating the alarm circuit over a period t2-t0 following t0;
• and
• deactivating the process at the time t3 with the input element.