Skincubator: wearable incubator to boost skin-to-skin care for very preterm babies
Official title: Effects of Early Prolonged Skin-to-Skin Care Within the Skincubator in Very Preterm and Extremely Preterm Infants
Funded at Skincubator Neocare INC. · NIH-11409036 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new wearable incubator aims to help extremely preterm babies receive longer, warmer skin-to-skin contact with their caregivers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Skincubator Neocare INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $313,951 |
| NIH project number | 1R44HD122606-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11409036 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Very preterm and extremely preterm infants and their families who are eligible for skin-to-skin care in hospital settings.
✕Less likely to help
Infants who do not require or cannot safely participate in extended skin-to-skin care may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project seeks regulatory clearance and clinical validation for the Skincubator, a wearable device designed to enable extended skin-to-skin care for babies born very preterm. It includes randomized trials to show increased SSC time and potential improvements in feeding and neurodevelopment, along with plans for FDA clearance and large‑scale manufacturing. The work focuses on real babies in clinical settings and emphasizes safe use with ventilated infants and temperature/humidity control. Initial results suggested better thermoregulation during skin-to-skin contact with the Skincubator versus traditional methods, and ongoing feasibility studies are expanding the evidence base.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the Skincubator could help more preterm infants receive longer, safer skin-to-skin care, potentially improving feeding and neurodevelopment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous safety trials showed favorable thermoregulation; this project is expanding to efficacy and regulatory clearance.
Where this research is happening
-
Skincubator Neocare INC.
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Metrikin-Gold, Alon — Skincubator Neocare INC.
- Study coordinator: Metrikin-Gold, Alon
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.