The lung machine offering new hope to babies
A NEW machine that monitors the lungs of premature babies with breathing difficulties could save thousands of lives a year, according to scientists.
Electrodes – similar to those used for heart ECG tests – are fitted into a specially designed ‘belt’ wrapped around the infant. The device uses electrical currents to help create up to 100 images per second. The pictures give doctors instant information about a baby’s lungs, so they can decide the best course of treatment. The earlier the treatment, the greater the chance the baby will survive and with no long-term disabilities. Middlesex University is among 11 centres working on the Continuous Regional Analysis Device for neonate Lung, or CRADL. Professor Richard Bayford, director of biophysics at Middlesex University, who is leading the research, said: ‘Many premature babies suffer from respiratory failure due to immaturity of the lung.
‘Problems can result in areas of the lung overinflating and collapsing.
‘This technology allows us, for the first time, to accurately monitor the lung function of babies without the need for sedation.
‘It means neonatologists will be able to view dramatic, real-time images of babies’ lungs every second.
‘This is an important tool which is currently not available in neonatal units that could play a crucial part in decreasing the risk of premature death and illness due to respiratory failure.’
The CRADL has been developed in response to the World Health Organisation’s Born Too Soon campaign – a drive to improve the outcome of premature babies.
Currently, babies with breathing difficulties can have X-rays or CT scans. However, both techniques use radiation, and there is no device that can provide instant images of the lungs as a baby breathes.
The benefit of CRADL is that it is mobile, so it can be brought to the baby’s cot, the scan can be done in a matter of minutes without the baby being sedated, and it does not use radiation. Prof Bayford says: ‘The machine has enormous potential.’