Respiratory rate monitoring is of paramount importance in neonatal care. Advancements in medical sensors and computational intelligence have paved the path for development of a single monitoring system that integrates multiple parameters into it. Visual observation of expansions and contractions of the abdomen or diaphragm of the neonate is still the widely accepted measure of respiratory rate in most clinical settings.
Need
There is a need for a practical, affordable, accessible, and easy-to-use technology to continuously monitor respiratory rate in neonates in a non-intrusive manner, and can be easily integrated into the current monitoring protocol. Through early detection and diagnosis, respiratory infections can be prevented.
Innovate
HTIC is developing a respiratory rate monitoring device for neonates in a wearable form factor. The wearable device is wireless and expected to overcome the limitations of present methods used in clinical practice for respiratory rate monitoring. The wearable device will be attached to the subject’s sternum or abdomen, the respiratory rate is continuously monitored using a 3-axis accelerometer. The device works in conjugation with a gateway device for cloud connectivity. The data is sent to a cloud application where it can be visualized and analysed by physicians and caretakers.
Publications
[1] Antony Raj, A & Sp, Preejith & Shankar Raja, Vijai & Joseph, Jayaraj & Sivaprakasam, Mohanasankar. (2018). Clinical Validation of a Wearable Respiratory Rate Device for Neonatal Monitoring. Conference proceedings: ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Conference. 2018. 1628-1631. 10.1109/EMBC.2018.8512548.