Reducing Rates of Neonatal Injuries

The Kangaroo Care Ecosystem creates a seamless transition from the isolette to the chair to provide kangaroo care and leaves little room for movement of the endotracheal tube and therefore, prevents unplanned extubations.

Through a ten week process we researched, interviewed, observed, ideated, and iterated to develop the Kangaroo Care Ecosystem. We started our initial research by figuring out what the issue of unplanned extubations entailed, what its most common cau… — Through a ten week process we researched, interviewed, observed, ideated, and iterated to develop the Kangaroo Care Ecosystem. We started our initial research by figuring out what the issue of unplanned extubations entailed, what its most common causes were, and what products already exist to help mitigate and prevent unplanned extubations. Through a series of interviews with industry professionals and NICU doctors, as well as an observation of a NICU, we developed a group of concepts we believed could help solve this issue. After plentiful ideation, affinitization, and iteration we developed four refined concepts. We ultimately came to the conclusion that just one product wouldn’t solve the problem of unplanned extubations, but rather a variety of products seamlessly integrated together that could significantly minimize the number of unplanned extubations in NICUs. We found that one of the most problematic and controllable areas for preventing unplanned extubations were a variety of factors involving moving the infant during Kangaroo Care. From there, we designed toward creating a safer environment for conducting Kangaroo Care and developed an Isolette, a Chair, and a Pouch to help aid in preventing unplanned extubations.

Often times the products designed to prevent unplanned extubations focus heavily on the tube itself and securing it in a way which isn’t harmful towards the infant. Through our research, interviews and observations we found that there is no single p… — Often times the products designed to prevent unplanned extubations focus heavily on the tube itself and securing it in a way which isn’t harmful towards the infant. Through our research, interviews and observations we found that there is no single product that was either unanimously used or flawless: each NICU has their own techniques and uses a variety of products for securing the endotracheal tube. Because of this discovery we looked further into the other situations when unplanned extubations occur. The Kangaroo Care Ecosystem provides the most promising and unique solutions in a marketplace primarily full of endotracheal tube holders. The Kangaroo Care Ecosystem is also set apart from similar products by having a universal procedure amongst a variety of products all working together to prevent unplanned extubations.

The Kangaroo Care Ecosystem provides a platform for safer Kangaroo Care in the NICU where the small steps that can cause unplanned extubations are eliminated. The Chair raises up to greet the parent/caretaker and eases them down while the nurse help… — The Kangaroo Care Ecosystem provides a platform for safer Kangaroo Care in the NICU where the small steps that can cause unplanned extubations are eliminated. The Chair raises up to greet the parent/caretaker and eases them down while the nurse helps to guide them. The Isolette includes a folding wall, and it can be raised or lowered to make the infant more easily accessible for comfortable removal during kangaroo care. The Kangaroo Pouch solves a number of issues with current designs and allows for quick, easy access to the infant in case of emergency. It also provides support so the parent/caretaker does not always need to be holding the patient in place or worry about the patient’s positioning during kangaroo care.