Measuring Neonatal Lung Volume Advisor: Dr. Bill Walsh Doug Anderson David Lammlein Janine McKinnon

Background Mechanical properties of the respiratory system Neonatal Intensive Care Neonatal Ventilation Positive pressure

Background (cont.) Definition of resting lung volume Purpose of measuring resting lung volume in neonates

Background (cont.) Methods used to measure various lung volumes Gas dilution Nitrogen washout Ultrasonic flow meter Disadvantages using current methods Helium Dilution Nitrogen Washout

Design Goals Improve on current ‘trial and error’ approach Use primarily existing equipment Avoid complicated, dangerous, or invasive procedures Allow for uncooperative nature of infants

Market Potential Clients: NICU (Neonate Intensive Care Unit) facilities Competitors: Only current competitor uses pressure jacket approach. Avoiding a forceful procedure would give our product a distinct marketing advantage. Production: Creating a simple modification to existing equipment will result in lower production costs and overhead.

Social Impact Profound: Families and friends of critically ill neonates Minimal: Environment, helium is an inert gas

Current Work Research into current methods of ventilation and pulmonary function measurement Modeling the inflow and washout of He gas in a closed system Brainstorming on potential design options Arranging for access to existing pulmonary function equipment

Future Work Continue discussion of design ideas Consider further modeling of the system Determine appropriate materials for prototyping Continued collaboration with Dr. Walsh as the design progresses

Questions