1. Neonatal CPAP Breathing Apparatus Design
Andrea Holland
Mindy Leelawong
Sponsor: Bill Walsh, MD
Monday, March 22, 2004

2. Project Overview
Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) breathing apparatus
Assists respiration by forcing air at a pressure ranging from 4-8 cmH2O
Primarily used for infant respiratory distress

3. CPAP Administration
Polin and Shani (2002)

4. Problems
Nosepiece pressure causes injuries to the delicate skin of the nasal area
Ulceration and contusion
Tissue necrosis
Nasal flaring
Nasal snubbing

5. Problems Mask Prongs Snubbing Septal erosion
Nasal bridge contusion and blistering
Prongs
Nasal flaring
Septal erosion and blistering

6. Objectives Analyze the applied force of the device on the nasal area
Determine the cause of specific injury
Suggest revisions to current device

7. Hypothesis Friction Sizing Pressure
Incorrect nosepiece or bonnet size
Limited nosepiece size range
Pressure
Position of device in relation to infant’s nose
Weight of device
Tightness of seal

8. Testing Before After Modeling Clay Molding Gel Initial pressure points
Deformation over time

9. Current Work
Analyzing deformation in clay model to determine the cause
Determining better prong design
Biomaterial research
Meetings with our adviser and professors

10. Work Completed Researched similar designs
Researched problem and possible causes
Developed soft gel model representing infant skin
Literature search
Young’s modulus of skin (inconsistent, ~3.5)
Possible causes
Frequency (widely disputed)

11. Work Completed
Tested models to determine location and nature of damage
Consulted with professors on skin-like materials
Consulted with doctors and nurses in the NICU on specific problems and possible remedies

12. Project Limitations Mathematical representations
Measurements
Young’s modulus of model
Pressure exerted by device
Limited literature on infant skin

13. Future Work March 2004 April 2004 Additional biomaterial research
Research alternative solution
New prong design
Different prong material
April 2004
Device weight reduction
Formalized list of recommendations
optimal use
future design considerations

14. Acknowledgements Dr. Bill Walsh, MD Dr. Paul King Shirley Carpenter

15. Questions?

16. References
Polin, R.A, R. Sahni.  Newer experience with CPAP.  Semin Neonatol Oct;7(5):