Sensory Respiration Device Developed for Newborn Babies

An innovative device uses noninvasive sensors to monitor lung activity as an indication of respiration, especially in premature babies.

The respiration monitor was developed by researchers at the Israel Institute of Technology (The Technion, Haifa, Israel) and can detect respiratory irregularities in newborn babies at an early stage, reducing the risk of long-term damage to vital organs. Early detection of respiratory problems, such as accumulation of air between the lungs and chest cavity walls, partial blockage of the air passages, or breathing from only one lung is prevented, reducing the risk of complications and irreversible brain damage. The technology, initially a final project at the faculty of biomedical engineering, is currently under development for clinical use by Pneumedicare (Migdal Haemek, Israel), and is being clinically tested at the Carmel Medical Center (Haifa, Israel).

"We directly monitor the mechanics of respiration by placing sensors on two sides of the chest and the upper part of the stomach of a premature baby on a respirator,” said Dr. Carmit Levy, Ph.D., co-director of Pneumedicare. "Thus, we can monitor a lack of symmetry between the two lungs and the development of mechanical disturbances in lung ventilation.”

Around 240,000 babies are put on respirators in intensive care units (ICUs) in the United State alone. However, existing ICU equipment does not monitor for respiratory problems, and up to six hours can elapse between a lung ventilation problem occurring and until medical personnel detect it. Detection therefore generally occurs only when the baby is already exhibiting signs of distress and there is a danger of irreversible damage to the body's organs.


Related Links:
Israel Institute of Technology
Pneumedicare