Graduating seniors at Rice University have developed a Bubble CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) respiratory support device to help children with acute respiratory infections breathe naturally as they recover. The Baby Bubbler delivers humidified air and oxygen through a water column, creating the vibrations and pressure necessary to promote breathing, and has a built-in alarm to detect backflow. Not bad for a senior project, which has taken the team to Rwanda as part of a global health technology commercialization class, and will demo this summer in Malawi and Lesotho in clinical testing.
From the press release:
The Baby Bubbler is comprised of two main components: a flow generator and a water bottle. The flow generator pumps air through a tube and allows clinicians to add oxygen if needed. The tube goes from the generator to the infant, who breathes through nasal prongs, and then to a water bottle that serves as a regulator. The pressure level to the patient can be changed by adjusting the depth of water in the bottle. An alarm to detect backflow of water into the line warns doctors if the circuit loses pressure.