Medical Device Design

Developing impedance and audio-based devices to assess lung function

In recent times, there has been a significant increase in lung diseases, ranging from acute conditions to chronic conditions such as influenza, pneumonia, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This increase is more pronounced in developing countries, primarily due to high pollution levels and limited clinical expertise. Hence, there is a need to diagnose different lung conditions at the onset of the disease for better disease management and patient care.

Our lab is working on developing noninvasive devices to extract respiratory parameters to determine lung health. These devices will not require any additional effort from patients, making them ideal for children, the elderly, and individuals with physical limitations. They will enable the early diagnosis of diseases like asthma and COPD while supporting the creation of region-specific reference values, revolutionizing respiratory care across diverse healthcare settings.

Design and Validation of the Precision Bubble Ventilation System for Controlled Neonatal Resuscitation

Neonatal resuscitation requires precise control of airway pressures to ensure effective ventilation while preventing lung injury. However, many existing respiratory support systems are costly, complex, and require skilled operation, which can limit their use in resource-limited healthcare settings.

This project envisions the development of a simple and reliable bubble T-piece resuscitator that can provide stable inspiratory and expiratory pressures using basic hydrostatic pressure principles. By regulating pressure through the height of a water column and controlled bubbling, the system offers a passive and intuitive method of pressure control without relying on complex electronics. The goal is to create an affordable, easy-to-operate respiratory support device that can improve the safety and consistency of neonatal ventilation, particularly in settings where advanced equipment may not be readily available.