Background Africa contributed to one-third of the world’s neonatal mortality burden. In the Sub-Saharan region, preterm birth complications are the leading, in which a neonate is a higher risk of developing respiratory distress syndrome that will require extra oxygen and help with breathing. When compared to other respiratory supportive methods for treating infants in respiratory distress, bubble continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) is a safe, and effective system that is appealing to many resource-limited neonatal units in low and middle income countries. However, despite of its benefit, the accumulation of condensate in the patient's circuit's exhalation limb during a bubble CPAP can significantly increase pressure delivered to the serious physical consequences that can potentially lead to respiratory failure. Currently, existing technology in developing nations is expensive, and they will not control the accumulation of condensate in the exhalation limb. This quietly increases the mortality rate of neonates. Therefore, the objective of this project was to design, and develop a bubble CPAP device that able to monitor and control pressure delivered to the infant. Methods In this project, a low-cost bubble CPAP machine with a pressure monitoring and controlling system has been developed. When the neonate expires, the pressure sensor inserted into the expiratory tube reads the instant positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) and sends it to the microcontroller. The microcontroller decides whether to turn the relay (controls the electric power to the 2 - solenoid valve) to switch the way of expiration between the two expiratory tubes connected to the valves of two outlets. This depends on the pressure reading and the cutoff pressure value manually inserted by the physician. Results The prototype was built and subjected to various tests and iterations to determine the device's effectiveness. The developed prototype was tested for accuracy, safety, cost, ease of use, and durability. The prototype was accurate in 10 iterations that had been made to monitor and control the pressure. It was safe and provided accurate pressure for the neonate, and it was built for less than 193 USD. Conclusion The proposed design allows physicians, especially those in low resource settings, to easily monitor and control the accumulation of condensate in the exhalation limb of the CPAP machine accurately and safely. This helps to reduce the neonate mortality rate that may occur due to respiratory distress syndrome.

Introduction More than 60% of preterm births take place in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, making prematurity a primary cause of neonatal mortality. Even though continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a popular treatment for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and is safe, practicable, and efficient for use in LMICs, it is crucial to ensure that neonates receive the full benefits of the therapy by monitoring their blood oxygen level. Methods A centrifugal fan, power source, control system, and sensors are all included in our design. A centrifugal fan was created to provide air at positive pressure in the range of approximately 4 cmH2O to 20 cmH2O utilizing revolving blades (impeller), a DC motor, and a fixed component. The control unit contains a microcontroller to handle sensor data. The proportional-integral (PI) controller board’s external potentiometer is used to set the pressure level. Results To ascertain whether the prototype satisfies the design requirements, it was constructed and put through several iterations and testing. The proposed device’s prototype was tested for accuracy, affordability, and usability. The centrifugal fan speed measurement was accurate to within 94.5%, while the oxygen concentration sensor reading was accurate to within 98.5%. Conclusion The design investigates viability of a straightforward, inexpensive, portable SpO2 integrated neonatal CPAP device for use in the delivery room in low-resource countries and to evaluates methods for measuring flows during CPAP treatment by monitoring the level of oxygen in the blood and pressure level delivered by the device using the lowest and safest setting that yields useful results.

Background Currently bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) is commonly used in low resource settings to treat respiratory distress. However, the accumulation of condensate in the patient's exhalation limb during operation could significantly increase pressure delivered to the body, which can lead to severe respiratory failure in the infant. The objective of this research was to develop a novel low-cost bCPAP device that can monitor and control the pressure delivered to infants. Methods When the neonate expires, the pressure sensor inside the expiratory limb measures the instant positive end-expiratory pressure. The microcontroller decides whether to turn the relay to switch the path of expiration between the two expiratory tubes connected to the valve outlets. This depends on the pressure reading and the cutoff pressure value inserted by the physician. Results The system was tested for accuracy, safety, cost, ease of use, and durability. The prototype was accurate in eight iterations at eight different depths of water that were made to monitor and control the pressure. It was safe and provided suitable pressure for the neonate, and the prototype was built in less than 193 USD. Conclusions The performance testing of the device demonstrated accurate and safe control and monitoring of continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) and oxygen levels with humidity levels safe for infants. The device provides humidified, blended, and pressurized gas for the patient. It allows physicians to easily monitor and control the accumulation of condensate in the exhalation limb of the CPAP machine accurately and safely.