The neonatal incubator is a closed medical equipment, which consists of a transparent cap that allows the patient to be isolated without losing eye contact with him, in order to provide an environment with pre-established temperature and conditions to favor the development of the newborn (premature , term or sick person). Ideally, core and body temperatures should be maintained with minimal variation.

Most incubators provide babies with heat through the flow of hot air, this heat is mainly transferred by convection. The heating and humidification systems are located under the incubator compartment. The air circulation is achieved thanks to a fan or a turbine that takes it from the outside and passes it through a heating element and a temperature measuring device, then passes over a water tank used to humidify the air (if it is required) before pushing it into the chamber where the patient is.