Project Goal
The goal of this project is to create a Bluetooth vital signs monitor for Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. This device will be able to take temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, and other vitals of children that are neo-natal, to five-years old. Each monitor will alert the nurses if there is an abnormality or serious change in any of the child's vitals. This will be significant in preventing easily treatable fatalities of children in low-income hospitals.
Blantyre, Malawi
Project Objectives
Human Testing
While we currently have progressed well on the human factors side of the project, we want to have a working prototype that is able to go through human testing.
Adjustable Strap
Our device needs to have an adjustable strap that can fit on newborn children, all the way to the age of 5. The device should also be removable from the strap, so it can be applied to the wrists of older patients.
Comfortable and Local Materials
We want our device to be comfortable enough for kids to wear for long periods of time, and made with materials that are locally-sourced in Malawi.
Clinical Trials in Malawi
We have secured IRB approval to do human clinical testing at Carilion Hospital. We hope to be able to send the device to Malawi for testing within the next couple of months.