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Baby Bubbles

Bubble CPAP for the Developing World

 

Member profile details

Membership level
2009-2010 Team
Project Thumbnail Image
Team Name
Baby Bubbles
Project Title
Bubble CPAP for the Developing World
Design Challenge
We are designing a Bubble CPAP for use in the developing world. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is a respiratory ventilation method used to treat infants with respiratory compromise. From a template design, users will be able to reconstruct additional systems with locally available materials. We will also develop a teaching module, user manual, and repair manual for the device.
Design Summary
Approximately 5-10% of children less than five years old in developing countries develop pneumonia each year, and, in 2005, acute respiratory infections were the leading cause of death in this age group. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is a respiratory ventilation method used in developed countries to treat infants with respiratory compromise. CPAP works by maintaining positive airway pressure during spontaneous breathing, increasing functional residual capacity, preventing alveoli collapse, and improving oxygenation. While current CPAP designs work effectively in developed countries, limitations such as cost, electricity, and user knowledge prevent CPAP machines from being extensively and properly used in developing countries. Thus, a safe and inexpensive CPAP system can make a significant impact on infant survival in the developing world. We are senior bioengineering and global health design students at Rice University studying the existing infant CPAP systems in order to design and build a working bubble CPAP for use in the developing world. We will design a complete functional CPAP system that will also serve as a template. From this template, users will be able to reconstruct additional systems on-site with locally available materials. We will also develop a teaching module, user manual, and repair manual to accompany the device. This will detail diseases and conditions requiring bubble CPAP use, how to operate the device, potential problems, and repair instructions.
Sponsors
Mr. Jim Davis and Beyond Traditional Borders is made possible by a grant to Rice University from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute through the Undergraduate Science Education Program.
Award(s)
2010 Rice Engineering Showcase - Best Engineering Design in Service to Society; 2010 NCIIA Neonatal Technologies Forum Presenter
Department(s)
  • Global Health Technologies
  • Bioengineering
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Faculty Advisor 1 - Name
Maria Oden
Faculty Advisor 2 - Name
Heather Machen Team Advisor Department
 

Team Members

Winner

Contact us

Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen
Rice University

6100 Main Street MS 390 | Houston, Texas | 77005

Phone: 713.348.OEDK

Email: oedk@rice.edu

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