An affordable neonatal CPAP nasal interface for the developing world
The developing world has a number of challenges regarding healthcare, such as insufficient training and funding to properly care for patients. One problem involves neonates that are born with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), which is a lack of surfactant in the lungs. RDS is typically treated using a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Device (CPAP) that prevents the lungs of the neonate from collapsing while providing assistance with breathing. However, the nasal interface that connects the patient to the CPAP is not universal and can suffer from air leakage. Creating a nasal interface that is able to prevent air leakage and is universal to all types of CPAP devices will allow it to be more easily used in the developing world. © 2011 IEEE.
