Design Award

• Tong Biomedical Design Award Honorable Mention

Project Overview

Over 150,000 mothers and infants suffer from injuries during childbirth each year with many due to prolonged labor.1 Second stage labor lasting over two hours is considered high risk causing complications and elevated risks of fetal brain trauma, injury, and death. A device was designed to intervene and accelerate the delivery process at 1/10th of the cost of traditional methods. The current methods utilize either forceps or a vacuum extractor. Forceps-assisted delivery is associated with lacerations and excessive blood loss to the mother, and superficial injuries to the fetus.2 Though reusable, a pair of forceps costs $190-$250.3 Vacuum-assisted delivery increases the risk of neonatal intracranial hemorrhages.4 Vacuum devices cost $200-$250 and are used only once.3

A safer and more cost-effective device was created. It is a cylindrical, helically-wound, braided device that decreases radially when lengthened. The device is slipped over the fetal head in the birth canal. The doctor applies an axial force to the other end of the device. As the device is elongated, the tightening applies a minimal, evenly distributed force to grip the head. This allows for a safer delivery for both mother and fetus, thus reducing the rate of birth trauma. Unlike the traditional methods, this device requires minimal training for use and has a material cost of $20-$25.



References
1. Andrew, R.H., & Russo, C.A. (2006). Potentially avoidable injuries to mothers and newborns during childbirth. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project.
2. O'Grady MD, J. P., Pope DO, C. S., & Hoffman BA, D. E. (2002). Forceps Delivery. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology,16(1), 1-16.
3. Forceps and vacuum devices for assistance in operative vaginal deliveries. (2011, December 6). Maternal and neonatal directed assessment of technology. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
4. Ekeus, C., Hogberg, U., & Norman, M. (2014). Vacuum assisted birth and risk for cerebral complications in term newborn infants: a population-based cohort study. BMC Pregnancyand Childbirth, 14(36).

Team Picture

Contact Information

Team Members

• Kimberly Buchanan - Team Leader
• Alenna Beroza - Communicator
• Emily Junger - BSAC
• Ana Lara Santiago - BWIG & BPAG

Advisor and Client

• Dr. Tom Yen - Advisor
• Dr. Jay Lick - Client

Related Projects

• Spring 2015: Infant Delivery Device for Vaginal Delivery
• Fall 2014: Infant delivery device for vaginal delivery
• Spring 2014: Infant delivery device for vaginal delivery