IP Requirement: University of Kentucky IP
Experience Requirement:
– Rapid prototyping
– Biomechanics
– Mechanical design
Problem Description
Advancements in neonatology since the early 1990s have significantly improved survival rates for extremely premature infants, some born as early as 22 weeks gestation. However, disparities in access to high-level neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) persist— particularly in rural areas. Infants born prematurely in these settings often require transfer to level III or IV NICUs for specialized care, including cardiorespiratory support.
Current neonatal transport methods, typically via ground ambulance or air, subject infants to mechanical vibrations, temperature fluctuations, and limited physiological monitoring— factors correlated with adverse outcomes, including intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). IVH is particularly devastating in preterm infants and is linked to long-term neurodevelopmental impairments.
This research proposes the design and development of a novel neonatal transport incubator system optimized for safety and physiological stability during transport, aiming to reduce the incidence of IVH in this vulnerable population.
Project Objective
– Design and prototype an enhanced neonatal transport incubator that mitigates stressors of transportation on premature babies.
– Stimulate and validate the design through bench testing and computational modeling.
Learning Objectives for Students
This capstone is designed to provide students with experience in applying biomedical engineering principles to a real-world, clinically relevant problem. Students will:
− Analyze a clinically defined problem and formulate engineering requirements through systems-based thinking.
− Apply biomechanics to design solutions for neonatal physiological stability. − Develop and evaluate prototypes through mechanical testing and simulation in a controlled environment.
− Collaborate with clinicians and engineers for needs-driven innovation. − Work at the intersection of biomechanics, medical device design, and device optimization within the scope of neonatal intensive care.
Useful articles
– https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8184635/
– https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20584801/
