VIA Baby Monitoring System – Healthcare for high-risk newborns

What it does

VIA is a home monitoring system for monitoring the vital functions of high-risk newborns. It helps parents to recognize a life-threatening event early enough to start the necessary reanimation measures under the guidance of VIA.

Your inspiration

I encountered home monitoring for the first time when baby Emilia was born into our extended family: she was a premature infant and was dependent on constant monitoring for three months. With its size and numerous wires, the device was daunting though and did not seem like a product from our modern and technology-driven age. Through research I found that parents having to handle such devices are anxious and stressed out. Insufficient training and frequent false alarms can have dramatic consequences for the baby. Yet there are no alternatives available. Therefore, it is in the interest of the children to bring home monitoring to a new level.

How it works

VIA consists of a sensor, a belt made of 100% cotton, a monitor and a magnetic induction charging station. The sensor is made of TPU, an elastic material that is easy to clean and molds to the baby’s body. The respiration, heart rate and oxygen levels are measured with two stainless steel-electrodes and an AMS-biosensor. A vibration module and a triaxial acceleration sensor inside the sensor identify the position of the baby and alert parents if it moves into a prone position. Via Bluetooth, the data is transmitted from the sensor to the monitor which raises an alarm in case the vital parameters approach a critical area. However, if the values only slightly move below or above the target corridor, the device does not raise an alarm but initiates a short vibration impulse in order to stimulate the baby’s breathing. In case of major or lasting anomalies though, the device alerts parents to the emergency and guides them through the necessary reanimation measures.

Design process

After an extensive research (market, user-insights, product analysis, process etc.), the six most significant pain points were discovered: desensitization, anxious parents, daily handling, disposable adhesive sensors, insufficient know-how and complex application. In the course of the concept development, I started with defining the needs as well as the functional and emotional requirements of the stakeholders (parents, newborns, doctors and nursing staff, distributors and health insurance companies). Regarding the sensor unit, the focus was on a reliable technology, utmost comfort for the baby, durability and easy cleaning. The prototypes were tested on a midwife-doll which allowed for true-to-life conditions. During the design of the monitor, mockups were used to find the right proportions and test the handling and size. After several prototypes and an evaluation of their pros and cons, a round shape was chosen. With its edgeless and smooth exterior, VIA now discreetly blends into the surroundings of the newborn. The monitor does not stand out as a medical device, hence parents are not constantly exposed to the attention or undesired pity from strangers.

How it is different

VIA has been specifically designed for the needs of newborns. It is supposed to be seen as an unobtrusive, helping friend rather than a typical medical device. A step-by-step instruction in the packaging guides parents through the start-up and operation of the device. The intuitive and easily understandable handling renders extensive training unnecessary. Disposable adhesive sensors which produce waste and irritate the baby’s skin as well as wires limiting its mobility are a thing of the past. Thanks to the flexible material, VIA‘s wireless sensor unit fits gently to the sensitive skin. With a mounting strap, the monitor can easily be fastened to any stroller, crib, etc. The main indicator is a pulsating light which lets the parents know if everything is fine with their child. Due to the automatic transfer of data to the doctor, hospital visits can be reduced to a necessary minimum.

Future plans

In 2016, every 12th child in Austria was a high-risk newborn (Statistik Austria) and thus dependent on postnatal monitoring. For reasons of expense, these babies are often discharged to home care, their parents being faced with a complicated monitoring device that makes them feel anxious and overwhelmed. I would like to raise awareness of the problems parents of high-risk newborns encounter and present a solution that could make their life and that of their children considerably easier. After the product-development it will be crucial to obtain medical authorization in order to ensure the approval and financing by health insurance companies.

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