This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/7505158.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Hope of life for premature babies | Hope of life for premature babies |
(about 2 hours later) | |
By Elaine Thelen BBC News, Nottingham Almost 10% of babies require resuscitation at birthThe lives of premature babies could be saved by a new kind of heart monitor being developed by researchers at the University of Nottingham. | By Elaine Thelen BBC News, Nottingham Almost 10% of babies require resuscitation at birthThe lives of premature babies could be saved by a new kind of heart monitor being developed by researchers at the University of Nottingham. |
The device, which uses light shone through a baby's skin, should be able to check a heart rate quicker and more reliably than a traditional stethoscope. | |
About 10% of the 700,000 babies who are born in the UK require some form of resuscitation at birth, and the monitor is aimed at helping doctors treat the most vulnerable. | About 10% of the 700,000 babies who are born in the UK require some form of resuscitation at birth, and the monitor is aimed at helping doctors treat the most vulnerable. |
The specialist care requirements of premature babies make the monitoring of their heart rate particularly challenging. | The specialist care requirements of premature babies make the monitoring of their heart rate particularly challenging. |
Using a stethoscope interrupts resuscitation and can lead to dangerous delays according to a leading consultant neonatologist. | Using a stethoscope interrupts resuscitation and can lead to dangerous delays according to a leading consultant neonatologist. |
Latest technology | Latest technology |
The new device uses a technique called photoplethysmography (PPG). | The new device uses a technique called photoplethysmography (PPG). |
A small optical probe, when placed on the baby's head, will monitor the heart rate autonomously by measuring changes in blood flow under the skin and therefore detect the baby's pulse. | A small optical probe, when placed on the baby's head, will monitor the heart rate autonomously by measuring changes in blood flow under the skin and therefore detect the baby's pulse. |
It will lead to much greater safety in the delivery room Prof Neil Marlow, consultant neonatologist | It will lead to much greater safety in the delivery room Prof Neil Marlow, consultant neonatologist |
The information is recorded on a microchip and uses Bluetooth technology to transfer the data. | The information is recorded on a microchip and uses Bluetooth technology to transfer the data. |
The prototype of the device, which was made in 2005, was initially aimed at monitoring workers in dangerous environments within the mining industry for health and safety purposes. | The prototype of the device, which was made in 2005, was initially aimed at monitoring workers in dangerous environments within the mining industry for health and safety purposes. |
The research team have been awarded about £120,000 in funding from Action Medical Research to assess how the device performs in neonatal units and delivery suites. | The research team have been awarded about £120,000 in funding from Action Medical Research to assess how the device performs in neonatal units and delivery suites. |
Dr Barrie Hayes-Gill from the university's School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, said although it took several years to develop the device, it was relatively simple. | Dr Barrie Hayes-Gill from the university's School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, said although it took several years to develop the device, it was relatively simple. |
"This represents a big advance for us in that we can see massive opportunities for this single-point detection of heart rate placed anywhere on the body. | "This represents a big advance for us in that we can see massive opportunities for this single-point detection of heart rate placed anywhere on the body. |
'Exciting challenge' | 'Exciting challenge' |
"This is a very exciting challenge for us. The advantage of this device is it emits a small amount of light which you place up against the skin. | "This is a very exciting challenge for us. The advantage of this device is it emits a small amount of light which you place up against the skin. |
"There's a silicon photo detector in the centre - as the blood rushes by the light level varies. | "There's a silicon photo detector in the centre - as the blood rushes by the light level varies. |
"The change in reflective light is in proportion to the volume of the blood travelling through the vein. | "The change in reflective light is in proportion to the volume of the blood travelling through the vein. |
"As the heart beats the volume of blood changes. | "As the heart beats the volume of blood changes. |
Prof Marlow says time is crucial when resuscitating babies"It's earlyish days but we've worked on it for three years with adults." | Prof Marlow says time is crucial when resuscitating babies"It's earlyish days but we've worked on it for three years with adults." |
Consultant neonatologist, Prof Neil Marlow from the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham said the device would lead to greater safety in the delivery room. | Consultant neonatologist, Prof Neil Marlow from the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham said the device would lead to greater safety in the delivery room. |
"I think this will be a real advance in our ability to monitor babies immediately after they're born. | "I think this will be a real advance in our ability to monitor babies immediately after they're born. |
"At present to measure the heart rate we have to stop and count. | "At present to measure the heart rate we have to stop and count. |
Vital minutes | Vital minutes |
"This will actually give us for the first time a visible and an audible reminder of the heart rate continuously. | "This will actually give us for the first time a visible and an audible reminder of the heart rate continuously. |
"And those minutes after birth are very important - it will allow us to carry on with the processes we go through to stabilise the baby. | "And those minutes after birth are very important - it will allow us to carry on with the processes we go through to stabilise the baby. |
"Immediately after the baby's born the heart rate is slow, as the baby responds the heart rate goes up quickly. | "Immediately after the baby's born the heart rate is slow, as the baby responds the heart rate goes up quickly. |
"I hope this will be a very straightforward and simple device which we'll be able to use routinely after birth on babies who are at-risk." | "I hope this will be a very straightforward and simple device which we'll be able to use routinely after birth on babies who are at-risk." |
The new baby monitor will be trialled at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre, initially on babies in the neonatal intensive care unit who have made a full recovery. | The new baby monitor will be trialled at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre, initially on babies in the neonatal intensive care unit who have made a full recovery. |
Then it will be trialled on full-term babies delivered by elective Caesarean section. | Then it will be trialled on full-term babies delivered by elective Caesarean section. |
The final phase will be testing the device on babies in the delivery suite born prematurely at between 24 to 36 weeks. | The final phase will be testing the device on babies in the delivery suite born prematurely at between 24 to 36 weeks. |
The trial is due to finish next year, and if data proves it has been successful it could be rolled out nationwide. | The trial is due to finish next year, and if data proves it has been successful it could be rolled out nationwide. |
Previous version
1
Next version