mOm Incubator

Target Countries

Lebanon, Syria

Target SDGs

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

The device is currently in development, while mOm is building a global distribution network.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include GlobalNeoNat Infant Incubator.

Countries

Lebanon, Syria

Manufacturing/Building Method

Unknown

Intellectural Property Type

Select Type

User Provision Model

The device is currently in development but in the meantime, mOm is building a global distribution network. At this time, if anyone is interested in purchasing mOm, they should contact mOm directly.

Distributions to Date Status

As of May 2019, the product is a prototype that is not widely distributed.

Design Specifications

MOm is a compact and low-cost solution that provides an enclosed microenvironment similar to a conventional incubator. This is important to ensure a higher degree of thermoregulation and minimize the risk of infection to the baby. Design specifications provided by designers are as follows:

- Compact for ease of storage and transport

- Lightweight – up to 90% less than the weight of a conventional incubator

- Easily cleaned materials and replaceable body intended to minimize infection risk

- Runs on mains power and utilizes a rechargeable battery

A video about the device is available on the mOm website.

Experts advise that critical design features include alarms as incubators' main purpose is thermal regulation, so the newborn can bootstrap weight gain. (ie. nutrition given to the newborn need not be used to keep warm, but for growth/weight gain/making fat deposits - so thermal regulation can become self-sustaining). While hypothermia is the condition everyone aims to avoid, even the onset of cold stress is enough to cause damage to the weight gain process, hence early detection of this is necessary. So, frequent alarms that can be customized are necessary. Additionally, the accuracy of temperature display and control are essential. As a rule of thumb, the accepted levels are +/-0.1 deg C. Even to the untrained user, an indicator that the incubator is ON and functioning properly is important.

In incubators, dead-spaces in air circulation pathways are notorious for being culture beds for dangerous bacteria. Consequently, complete disinfection is essential. A related component is the air filter - ease of cleaning/replacement is important since it is the second favorite place for bacterial growth.

If there is a 'skin temperature' control mode, it needs to be specified. The implications of the thermistor (or baby temperature probe) needed to effectively monitor/display (and control in case of skin mode). The whole system breaks down if the thermistor fails and it is not an incubator anymore.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Unknown

Replacement Components

Unknown

Lifecycle

Unknown

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

MOm claims to "provide a level of thermoregulation that meets the standards set for conventional incubators."

It is also stated to be operable without a mains power source for over 24 hours by using available systems like car batteries

Vetted Performance Status

Unknown

Safety

The device must regulate temperature accurately and precisely to ensure infant safety, because it is essential to keep neonates at a constant temperature. No known safety requirements are specified for this device.

Complementary Technical Systems

MOm is intended to be used in conjunction with Kangaroo Mother Care (or skin-to-skin) to help keep hypothermic babies warm.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

MOm aims to be initially regulated as a medical device in Europe with a CE Mark as a Class IIb device. Further regional approvals will be sought thereafter. Experts advise that the standards needed for compliance are CE Mark or FDA 510K - IEC 60601 for medical electronics which guides all medical equipment for CE mark, etc.

Evaluation methods

Lab testing included the development of both an electronic prototype and an aesthetic/functional prototype. Testing revealed that the electronic prototype could maintain the correct environment for the child. The functional/aesthetic prototype showed that a newborn could comfortably fit inside the incubator and all of the electronics used along with the inflatable material could be packaged away inside the casing ready for transport.