Wei Wei Chen

Monitoring body temperature of newborn infants at neonatal intensive care units using wearable sensors

Body temperature is one of the key parameters for health monitoring of premature infants at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a design of non-invasive neonatal temperature monitoring with wearable sensors. A negative temperature coefficient (NTC) resistor is applied as the temperature sensor due to its accuracy and small size. Conductive textile wires are used to make the sensor integration compatible for a wearable non-invasive monitoring platform, such as a neonatal smart jacket. Location of the sensor, materials and appearance are designed to optimize the functionality, patient comfort and the possibilities for aesthetic features. A prototype belt is built of soft bamboo fabrics with NTC sensor integrated to demonstrate the temperature monitoring. Experimental results from the testing on neonates at NICU of Máxima Medical Center (MMC), Veldhoven, the Netherlands, show the accurate temperature monitoring by the prototype belt comparing with the standard patient monitor.

Rhythm of Life Aid (ROLA): An Integrated Sensor System for Supporting Medical Staff During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) of Newborn Infants

During the stress of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), it is difficult to maintain the right rhythm and correct ratio of insufflations to chest compressions and to exert the compressions at a constant pressure. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate an integrated sensor system-the “Rhythm of Life Aid” (ROLA) to support medical staff during CPR of newborn infants. The design concept is based on interactive audio and visual feedback with consideration of functionalities and user friendliness. A prototype ROLA device is built, consisting of a transparent foil integrated with pressure sensor and electroluminescent foil actuators for indication of the exerted chest compression pressure, as well as an audio box to generate distinctive sounds as audio guidance for insufflations and compressions. To evaluate the performance of the ROLA device, a sensory mannequin and a dedicated software interface are implemented to give immediate feedback and record data for further processing. Tests of the ROLA prototype on the sensory mannequin by ten pairs of a doctor and a nurse at Máxima Medical Centre in Veldhoven, The Netherlands show that the use of ROLA device achieves a more constant rhythm and pressure of chest compressions during CPR of newborn infants.

Non-invasive blood oxygen saturation monitoring for neonates using reflectance pulse oximeter

Blood oxygen saturation is one of the key parameters for health monitoring of premature infants at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a design of a wearable wireless blood saturation monitoring system. Reflectance pulse oxymeter based on Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) techniques are applied for enhancing the flexibility of measurements at different locations on the body of the neonates and the compatibility to be integrated into a non-invasive monitoring platform, such as a neonatal smart jacket. Prototypes with the reflectance sensors embedded in soft fabrics are built. The thickness of device is minimized to optimize comfort. To evaluate the performance of the prototype, experiments on the premature babies were carried out at NICU of Máxima Medical Centre (MMC) in Veldhoven, the Netherlands. The results show that the heart rate and SpO2 measured by the proposed design are corresponding to the readings of the standard monitor.

Suboptimal bonding impairs hormonal, epigenetic and neuronal development in preterm infants, but these impairments can be reversed

This review aimed to raise awareness of the consequences of suboptimal bonding caused by prematurity. In addition to hypoxia–ischaemia, infection and malnutrition, suboptimal bonding is one of the many unnatural stimuli that preterm infants are exposed to, compromising their physiological development. However, the physiological consequences of suboptimal bonding are less frequently addressed in the literature than those of other threatening unnatural stimuli.

A power supply design of body sensor networks for health monitoring of neonates

Critically ill new born babies are extremely tiny and vulnerable to external disturbance. Non-invasive health monitoring with body sensor networks is crucial for the survival of these neonates and the quality of their life later on. A key question for health monitoring with body sensor networks is how to obtain reliable electrical power for the sensors, signal amplifiers, filters and transmitters. We propose a wireless power supply based on the principle of inductive contactless energy transfer for use in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The proposed power supply satisfies the requirements of neonatal monitoring and provides continuous power when the neonate is inside the incubator or during Kangaroo mother care. A prototype is designed and built to demonstrate the performance of the power supply and the possibilities for aesthetic features. Experimental results show that the prototype transfers approximately 840 mW of power.

Intelligent Design for Neonatal Monitoring with Wearable Sensors

Neonatal monitoring refers to the monitoring of vital physiological parameters of premature infants, full term infants that are critically ill, and a combination thereof. Babies that are born after a pregnancy lasting 37 weeks or less are typically considered premature. Critically ill neonates are a special group of patients that consist of premature infants who may suffer from diseases that are mainly caused by immaturity of their organs, and full term infants, who become severely ill during or immediately after birth. In particular, these premature infants can weigh as little as 500g with a size of a palm and are highly vulnerable to external disturbances. Critically ill newborn infants are normally admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for treatment by neonatologists and specialized nurses. Continuous health monitoring for the neonates provides crucial parameters for early detection of in adverted events (such as cessation of breathing, heart rhythm disturbances and drop in blood oxygen saturation), and possible complications (such as seizures). Immediate action based on this detection increases survival rates and positively supports further development of the neonates. Advances in medical treatments over the last decades resulted in a significant increase of survival. As a result, neonates born after 25 weeks of pregnancy can survive with adequate medical care and appropriate medical care in NICU (Costeloe et al., 2000). Encouraged by this success NICUs are populated by a large proportion of infants, born after very short gestational age. Survival and long-term health prospects strongly depend on medical care and reliable and comfortable health-status monitoring systems. In the last decades several important treatment modalities emerged that had a substantial impact on the mortality of prematurely born infants. However there is a concomitant increase of neurobehavioral problems on long-term follow-up (Perlman, 2001; Hack & Fanaroff, 1999; Chapieski & Evankovitch, 1997). Follow-up studies indicate that preterm infants show more developmental delay compared to their full-term peers. More than 50% of them show deficits in their further development, such as visual-motor integration problems, motor impairments, speech and language delay, behavioral, attention, and learning problems (Marlow et al. 2007). Medical conditions including chronic lung disease, apnea and bradycardia, transient thyroid dysfunction, jaundice and nutritional deficiencies, are potential contributing factors. In addition infants in a busy NICU are often exposed to stressful environmental conditions. Examples are the attachment to multiple monitoring Source: Intelligent and Biosensors, Book edited by: Vernon S. Somerset, ISBN 978-953-7619-58-9, pp. 386, January 2010, INTECH, Croatia, downloaded from SCIYO.COM

Innovative Design for Monitoring of Neonates Using Reflectance Pulse Oximeter

Critically ill prematurely born babies admitted at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have to be monitored constantly. The saturation of the peripheral oxygen (SPO2) is one of the crucial monitoring parameters on these babies. It is necessary that these fragile neonates feel most comfortable as possible during the monitoring. The current solutions for these SPO2 oximeters can be uncomfortable for use and hampers parent-child interaction. In this paper we propose an innovative solution for reflectance pulse oximeter based on Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) techniques that will lead into more comfortable use in a long term monitoring. Prototypes with the reflectance sensors embedded in soft foam and fabric materials are built to enhance a comfortable non-invasive yet reliable monitoring. These monitoring units give the opportunity of integration into a snuggle and mattress where the baby lays on most of the time. In this paper we report the integration of the prototype monitoring units into a snuggle. To evaluate the comfort as well as performance of the final prototype, we first conduct tests on adults. The prototype monitoring units are tested on various body locations of adult participants. Signal quality on different body locations is reported and questionnaires for comfort assessment are analyzed. Experiments on the premature babies will be carried out at NICU of Máxima Medical Centre (MMC) in Veldhoven, the Netherlands.

Sensors, actuators and computing systems for smart textiles for protection

Electronic systems with sensors and actuators are enablers for increasing the protection level of textile appliances. Apparel and many other textiles are close to the human body and are part of numerous professional and home routines and tasks. This means that textiles are positioned in our daily life in locations where they can act extremely well for protective purposes by means of monitoring and being responsive. Intelligence created by electronics starts with sensors and actuators integrated into the textile to make it responsive. In addition, a power system, interconnect and processing logic are needed. Some characteristic problems encountered with sensing human parameters can be solved by smart topologies and sensor arrangements.

Designing for reliable textile neonatal ECG monitoring using multi-sensor recordings

When designing an ECG monitoring system embedded with textile electrodes for comfort, it is challenging to ensure reliable monitoring, because textile electrodes suffer from motion artifacts and incidental poor signal quality. For the design of a comfortable monitoring system for prematurely born babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), we propose the concepts of ‘diversity measurement’ and ‘context awareness’ to improve reliability. Clinical multi-modal sensor data was collected in the NICU with the Smart Jacket connected to a state-of-the-art amplifier. We found that the ECG signals quality varied among sensors and varied over time, and found correlations between ECG signal, acceleration data, and context, which supports the feasibility of the concepts. Our explorative system level approach has lead to design parameters and meta-insights into the role of clinical validation in the design process.

Design of a breathing mattress based on the respiratory movement of kangaroo mother care for the development of neonates.

Kangaroo mother care (KMC) benefits the development of neonates. This paper focuses on the design and implementing the extension of KMC for infants at Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU). A breathing mattress is proposed to comfort infants and stimulate them to breathe regularly by mimicking the movement of the parents chest during KMC. The incubator mattress simulates the breathing of the parents chest with embedded electronics and pneumatic technology for mattress motion actuating systems. The stakeholders, including the child, parents and NICU staff, were directly involved during the concept development, prototyping and evaluation.