The Life Guard is a monitoring system for premature babies that can be worn inside or outside the incubator. It is a comfortable jacket with built-in sensors that monitor ECG, EEG, oxygen levels, and temperature with minimal wires to reduce discomfort. This biomimicry-based concept replicates the bonding and care provided by a kangaroo mother to her joey. The researchers believe this idea can improve neonatal care by reducing stress on premature babies from separation from parents and frequent sensor attachment and removal.

1. ABSTRACT
JULY 31st
, 2016
THE LIFE GUARD
The Life Guard, isan easyto wear monitoringsystemforprematurelybornbabies,whichcanbe
worninside the incubator,aswell asoutside the incubator,while inthe parent'sarms.The rapidly
advancingfieldof Biomimicryinspiredustogive fuel tothisideawhichwe believe will improve
neonatal care to a great extent.Survivalratesforprematurelybornbabieshave increasedinthe last
decadesdue toimprovedneonatal care.However,these infantstendtoshow more longterm
neurodevelopmental problemscomparedtofull termpeers.
The main reasonaccordingto variousstudiesisthatthe stressexperiencedbythe babyintheirearly
life contributesmassivelytothese neurobehavioral problems.The vital parametersare obtained
withadhesive sensorson the fragile skinandthe placementof these sensorsalongwithalarge
amountof tanglingwiresleadstodiscomfort,skinirritationandinterruptionof sleep,of neonates.
Anothercause of stress,isthe separationof the motherand child.Regularskincontactbetweenthe
neonate andparentestablishesbondingandhasa positive effectonthe neonate'sdevelopment.
The Life Guard is a comfortable jacketwithinbuiltsensorsthatmakesuse of minimal numberof
wirescausingleastdisturbance tothe baby.The parametersthatthe sensorsplacedonthe jacket
indicate are ECG levels(usingtextileelectrodesorgel electrodes),EEGlevels,andOxygenlevels(to
checkcases of Hypoxia).Sensorsalsoindicatesbodytemperature andthuscarriesoutthermal
regulation.
In lessextreme cases,the LifeGuardcan provide the all-importantbondingfactorbetweenthe
motherand child.Thisisa Biomimcrybasedconceptwhichreplicatesthe care providedbya
Kangaroomotherto Joey.
We trulybelieve thatthe conceptualizingandimplementationof thisideawill change the face of
neonatal care.
Presented by:
AdarshV.George
AishwaryaT.V
AkhilaD
AlishaP.K
FathimaRinza