Smart Cradle An innovative cradle designed to assist babies with HYDROCEPHALUS by measuring the temperature and sending the information to the parents’ smartphone. Ana Alves

Hydrocephalus

Statistics According to recent statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hydrocephalus affects approximately 1 OUT OF EVERY 1,000 children born each year.

The word hydrocephalus is derived from the Greek: What is Hydrocephalus? The word hydrocephalus is derived from the Greek: HYDRO CEPHALUS The main characteristic of this conditions is the accumulation of fluids in the brain. This fluid is the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is a liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by the overproduction or obstruction of the ventricles. Water Brain

What are the Symptoms of hydrocephalus? The most obvious indication of hydrocephalus is a rapid increase in head circumference or an unusually large head size.

What is the treatment? A shunt is installed to help with the drainage of the liquid.

How do I know if the shunt may not be working properly?

My Project

What is my Project? The development of a cradle that will inform the parents about the baby health condition. The main symptom of the baby that will be analyzed is the TEMPERATURE.

Why analyze the temperature is important? Be aware of the temperature is important not only for babies with hydrocephalus but also to normal infants. Fever of unknown origin in children with shunted hydrocephalus might be the first sign of a developing shunt malfunction and a neurosurgical examination should be re- quested. The high temperature may be a sign that the shunt is not working properly. It can be a sign of infection. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or above 100.4 °F.

How does it work? The cradle will be embedded will sensors that will collect information about the temperature of the baby and will send it to the parents smartphones. Also, it will have LEDs in the cradle that will inform the temperature of the baby through colors.

How is it made? A temperature sensor will be embedded in the cradle. The sensor will be located next to the baby’s head. The cradle will be made by wood or MDF. Some LEDs will be located in the cradle to inform the temperature

What are the components? In this project, an arduino will be used along with a temperature sensor. Also, a laser thermometer can be used to verify the temperature of the baby. All these components will be embedded in the structure of the cradle. In addition, some lights will be used on the external part of the cradle, because they need to be visible to show the level of temperature through colors.

What I have to combine in this project? Collecting Data + Sharing Data

What should I be aware to project a cradle? I have to make sure that the cradle has a good depth and that of the mattress can be adjusted according to the child's age. Measure the distance between the vertical bars around - it must not exceed 6.5 cm In addition, the cradle’s headboard should be inclined to 15o to 30o to facilitate the cranial venous drainage.

How will I test it? Laser Cutter 3D priting

What is the discussion? Hydrocephalus is not a well know disease, however is becoming as common as Down’s syndrome. There is a huge lack of knowledge and methods to deal with this disease; few projects are aimed to patients with this condition.

What are the contributions of my project? The project of the smart cradle will help the parents to be aware of the baby health condition. Being aware of the temperature of the baby is very important not only for babies with hydrocephalus but also to normal babies. The cradle will be helpful because it will make the process of measuring the baby’s temperature a simple task.

What are the advantages of my project? The cradle will facilitate the process of measuring the temperature of the baby. It will be more comfortable for the baby, because he wont feel bothered by the usual temperature measurements. In addition, the system of temperature notifications will make monitoring the health of the baby easier. So parents can notice more easily if the baby is not feeling well, or if there are any complications in treatment.

What are the disadvantages of my project? The baby's temperature measuring systems cannot be very precise, because the baby can move around a lot in the cradle. It can also be dangerous because the laser can affect his eyes.

Who can use the cradle? Not only babies with hydrocephalus but also normal babies can use the cradle. It can be very useful to monitor babies, because the temperature is always a sign that need to verify in babies.

What is the conclusion of this project? In conclusion, my project will be developed to help babies with hydrocephalus, which is a condition most known as “water in the brain”. One of the treatments of this disease is the implementation of a shunt that will help in the drainage of this water in the brain. However, it can have some malfunction and fever a sign that the shunt is not working properly. Therefore, my project will be focused on the temperature.

References "Hydrocephalus Fact Sheet." : National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). N.p., n.d. Web. 02 July 2015. Sivagnanam, Milani, and Neilank Jha. "Hydrocephalus." SpringerReference (2011) "Facts and Stats." Hydrocephalus Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 June 2015.