MOM, THE INFLATABLE INCUBATOR

A solution to decrease the number of premature child deaths within refugee camps

James Roberts started to imagine Mom for his final year project, inspired by a TV documentary on Syrian refugees and how many premature babies who die because of the stresses of war and specifically the lack of incubators out there and the infrastructure to support them. According to the World Health Organisation one in ten babies are born premature worldwide . 75% of those that die could be saved with inexpensive solutions like MOM.

The incubator is delivered flat-packed and is assembled at the destination for the obvious reason that its more practical and easier to transport. It is also easy to repair and easy to charge (it can recharge with a car battery).

To keep a newborn warm, the inflatable transparent panels are heated by a ceramic element. An Arduino computer is used to keep the temperature stable, control humidification, and manage a phototherapy lamp that can be used to treat jaundice. An alarm will sound if the desired temperature changes.

This great innovation has won this year’s James Dyson Award, mostly because it shows the impact design engineering can have on people’s lives. “Just being able to maintain a good and stable environment is of enormous importance.” said Dr Martin Ward Platt, a consultant paediatrician at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.