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Artificial Womb, center for Humans & Technology, Next Nature Network, TU Eindhoven, prof. Guid Oei. by Bart van Overbeeke

The umbilical cannulation project investigated how novel technologies could be repurposed to aid medical personnel in attaching a premature infant to an Artificial Womb.

Client: Artificial Womb Consortium x HONORS Academy

Role: Design Research, Medical Design

Year: 2020-2021

Outcome: A device that can be used by doctors to aid in the cannulation of the umbilical cord.

<aside> āš ļø This project's outcome is protected under the terms of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) for the moment. Until an application for a patent or paper is discussed, no content can be disclosed.

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Background

Extremely premature infants (under 24 weeks of gestation) have a rate of survival below 50%. They are not yet ready to survive outside the mother's womb. TheĀ Artificial Womb project examines the possibility of transporting premature infants,Ā of 24 weeks,Ā from the natural womb to an artificial one, to increase chances of survival.

Problem

For the transfer to succeed, the neonateĀ mustĀ be attached to a device that provides it with oxygen and nutrientsĀ taking over the role of the motherā€™s placenta. During this procedure, the vein and the two arteries in the umbilical cordĀ mustĀ be cannulated to supply the infant directly with oxygen.