Designing and Prototyping of a Portable Cradle Infant Warmer
INTRODUCTION: Neonatal hypothermia is a leading cause of mortality among premature and low-birth-weight infants, particularly in low-resource settings like Rwanda, where access to conventional thermoregulation devices such as incubators and radiant warmers is limited due to high costs and lack of in...
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Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC)/Rwanda Health Communication Center
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Rwanda Medical Journal |
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| author | Dushimimana et al. |
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| description | INTRODUCTION: Neonatal hypothermia is a leading cause of mortality among premature and low-birth-weight infants, particularly in low-resource settings like Rwanda, where access to conventional thermoregulation devices such as incubators and radiant warmers is limited due to high costs and lack of infrastructure. This study aimed to design and prototype an affordable, portable cradle infant warmer (PCIW) to address the challenges of accessibility, cost, and portability associated with existing neonatal warming technologies.
METHODS: The PCIW prototype consists of four main components: a cradle bed, a warmpack (containing water, paraffin wax, and sodium acetate), a heating table, and a temperature display unit. The warmpack absorbs and slowly releases heat to maintain the infant’s temperature within the normothermic range (36.5–37.5°C). Performance was assessed using a surface thermometer to measure temperature stability over time, with three experimental trials conducted to ensure accuracy.
RESULTS: The prototype maintained a stable temperature range of 36.6–37.4°C for 90 minutes before requiring reheating. The warmpack reached the operating temperature within 25 minutes of heating and demonstrated consistent heat retention. The total cost of the device was approximately $100, making it significantly more affordable than conventional incubators ($1,500–$35,000).
CONCLUSION: The portable cradle infant warmer is a cost-effective, non-electric solution for preventing neonatal hypothermia in resource-limited settings. Its ability to maintain normothermia for 90 minutes, combined with portability and ease of use, positions it as a viable alternative to expensive and inaccessible warming technologies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-93b91a39eab745d9adf2df29a83c81a7 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2410-8626 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC)/Rwanda Health Communication Center |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Rwanda Medical Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-93b91a39eab745d9adf2df29a83c81a72025-08-20T01:51:35ZengRwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC)/Rwanda Health Communication CenterRwanda Medical Journal2410-86262025-03-018213037https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/rmj.v82i1.4Designing and Prototyping of a Portable Cradle Infant WarmerDushimimana et al.0Biomedical Engineering Programme, Regional Centre of Excellence in Biomedical Engineering and e-Health (CEBE), Kigali, RwandaINTRODUCTION: Neonatal hypothermia is a leading cause of mortality among premature and low-birth-weight infants, particularly in low-resource settings like Rwanda, where access to conventional thermoregulation devices such as incubators and radiant warmers is limited due to high costs and lack of infrastructure. This study aimed to design and prototype an affordable, portable cradle infant warmer (PCIW) to address the challenges of accessibility, cost, and portability associated with existing neonatal warming technologies. METHODS: The PCIW prototype consists of four main components: a cradle bed, a warmpack (containing water, paraffin wax, and sodium acetate), a heating table, and a temperature display unit. The warmpack absorbs and slowly releases heat to maintain the infant’s temperature within the normothermic range (36.5–37.5°C). Performance was assessed using a surface thermometer to measure temperature stability over time, with three experimental trials conducted to ensure accuracy. RESULTS: The prototype maintained a stable temperature range of 36.6–37.4°C for 90 minutes before requiring reheating. The warmpack reached the operating temperature within 25 minutes of heating and demonstrated consistent heat retention. The total cost of the device was approximately $100, making it significantly more affordable than conventional incubators ($1,500–$35,000). CONCLUSION: The portable cradle infant warmer is a cost-effective, non-electric solution for preventing neonatal hypothermia in resource-limited settings. Its ability to maintain normothermia for 90 minutes, combined with portability and ease of use, positions it as a viable alternative to expensive and inaccessible warming technologies. hypothermiapreterminfant warmernormothermialow birthweight |
| spellingShingle | Dushimimana et al. Designing and Prototyping of a Portable Cradle Infant Warmer Rwanda Medical Journal hypothermia preterm infant warmer normothermia low birthweight |
| title | Designing and Prototyping of a Portable Cradle Infant Warmer |
| title_full | Designing and Prototyping of a Portable Cradle Infant Warmer |
| title_fullStr | Designing and Prototyping of a Portable Cradle Infant Warmer |
| title_full_unstemmed | Designing and Prototyping of a Portable Cradle Infant Warmer |
| title_short | Designing and Prototyping of a Portable Cradle Infant Warmer |
| title_sort | designing and prototyping of a portable cradle infant warmer |
| topic | hypothermia preterm infant warmer normothermia low birthweight |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dushimimanaetal designingandprototypingofaportablecradleinfantwarmer |