Sam and I are leaving for Malawi in less than 24 hours! Some of the final preparations include getting the technologies that we are bringing ready.

Heating Sleeve

The BTB bCPAP device lacks heating and humidification, which is included in most CPAP machines that are used in developed countries. This is not an issue in Malawi since the climate is relatively temperature; however, in order for the bCPAP to be implemented to colder countries a heating device is necessary that way we aren’t blowing cold air into premature babies. Over the last semester Sam and I have developed a heating sleeve which wraps around the tubing and heats the air as the air flows from the machine towards the baby. These last two days, we have built two new ones to bring to Malawi with us!

Sphygmo

This device measures blood pressure and alerts clinicians when blood pressure is either too high or too low.