Apnea Response System

University of HartfordSenior Design Project

M. Shalane ReganDiane Eager

Michael Porter4/10/2007

Apnea

• Greek word for “without breath”

• The stop of respiration for approximately 10-20 seconds

• 30% to 50% of all premature infants

• 90% of those that are under 28 weeks of gestation have apnea.

Apnea (continued)

• Central apnea (apnea prematurity)

• Obstructive apnea

• Mixed Apnea

Current Treatment

• Stimulation from nurse/ Dr/ parent when breathing stops

• Continuous Monitoring• Disadvantages:

– Too big in size

– Many false positives

– Disruptive

Current Hospital Monitor

• Pulse Ox• EKG• Thoracic Impedance• Nasal Air Flow

Apnea Event in an Infant

http://www.empiricaltechnologies.com/page19.html

Methods

• Gantt Chart

• Functional Decomposition

• Quality Function Deployment

• Morphological Chart

• Failure Mode and Effect Analysis of Design (DFMEA)

Preferences and Customer Requirements• Parent

– Safety– Dependability– Easy of use

• Doctor– Size– Dependability– Few to no false positives

• Nurse– Portable– Compatible with current computers– Rotating screen

Quality Function Deployment

QFD (continued)

• Program Capabilities– Operating system– Baseline settings

• Battery Life– Long life– Alarm

QFD (continued)

QFD (continued)

• Sensors– EKG, Thoracic Impedance– Size– Alarm

• Display on Monitor– Easy to use– Digital– Legible

Morphological Chart

Current Design

• Wireless system• Wireless patient box• Three electrodes • Vibration stimulator

wired to patient box• Station box• Computer reads

signals and determines whether infant needs vibration stimulation

Circuit Board

Top Layer PCB

Bottom Layer PCB

Upon Completion

• Working prototype• Different alarms for...

– Apnea event– Elevated Heart Rate– Low battery– Disconnect alarm

• Automated stimulation• Continuous monitoring and recording of heart

rate, oxygen saturation, thoracic impedance, and number of episodes

Future Design

• Completely wireless System• Eliminate electrodes using cell phone

technology• Keep manufacturing costs to a minimum • Replacement parts can be sold in local

stores• Wireless battery technology • Adjustable components for each individual

Questions

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