mOm Incubator

mOm

Snapshot
Manufacturing & delivery
Performance & use
Research & standards
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Product description Brand name and product description

mOm is a prototype collapsible, transportable infant incubator designed for critical infant care in a conflict areas and underserved regions.

Target region(s) Target region for distribution/implementation (listed by country if specified)

Syria, Lebanon

Distributors/implementing organizations Organization(s) distributing/deploying this product directly to communities/individuals?"

According to the mOm website, as of August, 2016, the device is currently in development but in the meantime, mOm is building a global distribution network.

Market suggested retail price Price per unit or service price per usage/terms (USD). Subsidies noted.

The retail price is unknown but the mOm website states that it is 5% the cost of a standard neonatal incubator. As of August, 2016, the device is currently in development but anyone interested in purchasing the device should contact mOm.

Competitive landscape Similar products available on the market. May not be a comprehensive listing.

Kangaroo Mother Care (skin to skin contact)

SDG targeted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted with this product/application/service

Goal 3: to improve and promote good health.

This product seeks to reduce infant deaths, especially in underserved areas and war or conflict zones. This device aims to regulate temperature and keep babies warm.

Target user(s) Target user/consumer base (country, income segment)

Health care professionals and parents of neonates

Manufacturing/building method(s) Detail regarding solution production or construction method (instructions, mass production capacity, custom made,etc...)

Unknown

Product Intellectual Property Open source/IP protected (note patent)/trade secret/other?

Unknown

User Provision Model Where can the product be purchased/acquired by end users?

According to the mOm website, as of August, 2016, 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.

Distribution to date Number of units that have been deployed, downloads or users to date

As of August, 2016, the product is a prototype that is not widely distributed.

Fields marked are sourced values that have been evaluated by the manufacturer or a third party, all others are design specifications.

Accuracy of temperature control (deg C)

Unknown

Accuracy of temperature display (deg C)

Unknown

Alarm level

Unknown

Alarm type

Unknown

Use Duration (hours)

Unknown, however, mOm states that the incubators meet conventional standards

Design specifications Component and Operation overview including power, portability, facility requirements, preventative maintenance and user training requirements

mOm claims to be the only known compact and low-cost solution that provides an enclosed micro environment similar to a conventional incubator. This is important to ensure a higher degree of thermoregulation and minimise the risk of infection to the baby. Design specifications provided by designers are as follows:• Compact for ease of storare 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 main 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 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 Design and assembly illustrations

Technical support Technical support provided by

Unknown

Replacement components Availability of replacement components (in-country, by order,...)

Unknown

Lifecycle Disposal and warranty

Unknown

Manufacturer specified performance targets Designer / Manufacturer specified targets

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 Findings of manufacturer evaluations or independent testing centers

Unknown

Testing organizations Independent lab, academic research centers, etc.

Designer tested

Safety Potential hazards / risks related to operation of this product

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

Complementary technical systems Performance of this product is improved with another technology (eg. Cookstoves and Wind-blocking skirts)

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

Academic research Academic research related to the product (e.g. published papers in peer-reviewed journals)

Unknown

Compliance with regulations Product certifications and standards referenced by designer/manufacturer

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 Evaluation methods/protocols/guidelines referenced by designer or manufacturer.

Lab testing included 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 new born 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.

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