Utveckling av lungfunktionsensor för förtidigt födda barn baserad på diodlaserspektroskopi
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Lunds universitet - Fysiska Institutionen |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 079 500 |
| Project duration | October 2015 - December 2018 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Eurostars |
| Call | Eurostars medfinansiering 2014-2015 |
Important results from the project
The aim of this EUROSTARS project was to develop a non-invasive system for monitoring lung function in newborn infants. This new technique is based on the method ´gas in scattering media absorption spectroscopy´ (GASMAS) with a laser source and an absorption detector to be placed on the thoracic skin. The feasibility was evaluated on a phantom and thereafter in an experimental study on newborn piglets. We could detect oxygen and water vapor in normal lungs and robust responses to pulmonary complications. For clinical applications the system was further developed and implemented.
Expected long term effects
In the experimental study, we detected oxygen (wavelength 764 nm) and water vapor (820 nm) from normal lungs and robust changes to the complications (pneumothorax and atelectasis). The equipment was approved to be used in the clinical setting on newborn infants (medicine technique and ethics). The study was performed on 12 healthy newborn infants, who undisturbed slept during assessment.
Approach and implementation
The feasibility to monitor newborn infants was verified. The laser light probe and detector were easily attached and patient friendly. The equipment had a laser light source with less power than planned. Therefore we encountered problems due to too low signal/noise ratio and could not detect absorption values reliably in all infants. For future clinical studies the equipment needs to be upgraded with a more intense laser source.