Designing A Portable Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (BabyPod) For Emergency Situations

BME 401: Preliminary Design Presentation

Kasidis Horsangchai, Doreen Sheen, and David Yang

Frank Yin, M.D., Ph.D.

Laura Marquardt

Group 23:

Mentor:

Teaching Assistant:

Client

Karen M. Wickline, M.D.

St. Louis Children’s Hospital

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Washington University

Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Pre-Term Birth

1 in 10 babies are born premature. (15 million/year)

Pre-Term Birth

1 million babies die each year due to pre-term

complications.

Thermal Instability

Three Main Disadvantages:

1. Poor thermal insulation2. Large surface area to volume ratio3. Small mass to act as heat sink

NICU Isolettes

Stable Thermal Environment, 36.5 ± 0.5˚C

Humidity Control Clear Walls and

Hood Easy Access Doors

GE Giraffe Omnibed

Problem Definition

Natural Disaster At-Home Birth Transportation

between Hospitals

1. Thermal Regulation of Pre-Term Babies

2. In Emergency Situations

Prior Designs

Neonatal Transport Incubator

Embrace Infant Warmer

BabyPod

Our product, BabyPod, is an emergency alternative neonatal intensive care unit that is low-cost and portable. BabyPod will significantly decrease the risk of over-heating and under-heating by introducing a temperature regulation system driven by a closed-feedback loop.

Specifications

ACTUATORTemperature – 0.1 degrees Celsius sensitivity. Be able to regulate baby’s temperature between 36-37 degrees CelsiusHumidity – have a container for water, be able to actively control humidity (user input)

MONITORLCD DisplayLow Energy Demand

POWER SOURCEStand AloneRechargeable Small SizeReliable/ StableLast At Least One Day

Desired Specifications:

CONTAINERInsulatedCompatible with other devicesPadded interior

SENSORS Breathing Monitor

POWER SOURCE Compatible with other power sources (Able to draw energy from these sources)

Necessary Specifications:

CONTAINERLength > 50cmWidth > 30cmHeight (of baby compartment) > 20cmFace of baby visibleWeight – easily carried by one person (< 10 kgs)Be able to support the weight of 2kgsAllows O2 (airflow)Secured babyDurable

MECHANICALStable InteriorReduce JarringHeat Resistant/Durable MaterialLight Weight Material 20N force test

SENSORSLow Power DemandSmallSkin TouchMinimal WiringInterface with a displaySoftwareADC, DAC, DSP (low cost, reliable)Humidity controllerTemperature

Specifications

Rechargeable, stand-alone power source lasting minimum of 24 hours

Well-Insulated Regulate temperature with a 0.1 ºC sensitivity System to actively control humidity Easily carried by one person (<10 kgs) Secured Baby Mechanism to reduce jarring Face of baby visible Easily opened and closed

Delegations

Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3

Kasidis Horsangchai Temperature Regulation/Actuators X X Circuit Design X X X Workflow for Software X

Doreen Sheen Literature Search X Material Research X Budget X X CAD X X

David Yang Sensors X X Power Source X X Mechanical Design X X Website X X

Deadlines and Milestones

9/24 10/1 10/8 10/15

10/22

10/29

11/5 11/12

11/19

11/26

12/3

Preliminary Report

Web Page

DesignSafe

Circuit Designs

Mechanical Designs

CAD Drawings

Progress Report

Final Circuit Design

Final Mechanical Design

Final CAD Drawings

Final ReportDue DateIn Progress

Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3

Questions?

References

Faculty bio: Karen M. Wickline, M.D. Washington University Department of Pediatrics. <http://peds.wustl.edu/faculty/wickline_k/FacultyBio/tabid/4469/Default.aspx>.

March of Dimes, PMNCH, Save the Children, WHO. Born Too Soon: The Global Action Report on Preterm Birth. Eds CP Howson, MV Kinney, JE Lawn. World Health Organization. Geneva, 2012.

GE Healthcare. The Giraffe Family: Helping Make Sick Babies Well. <http://www.gehealthcare.com/euen/maternal-infant-care/docs/Giraffe_Family_bro_e.pdf>. 2010.

Ngo, Denise. “Fetching Incubator Backpack May Save Newborn Lives.” PopSci. <http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2010-05/fetching-new-baby-incubator-may-help-medics-backback-sick-babies-safety>. May 19, 2010.

“The Embrace Infant Warmer is a Product with a Mission.” Embrace. <http://www.embraceglobal.org/main/product>.