Congratulations to CBEE Professor Govind Rao, whose Center for Advanced Sensor Technology (CAST) team won $50,000 at the National Capital Consortium for Pediatric Device Innovation (NCC-PDI), held February 12th at University of Maryland, College Park.

CAST presented their design for a low-cost respiration monitor for premature newborns. This innovative device, which monitors oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in preemies’ blood, is much safer than current techniques because it is completely non-invasive, removing risks associated with conventional methods that either cause burns or require so many pinpricks the tiny babies need blood transfusions. Clinical trials have shown that the device measures carbon dioxide and oxygen levels with 90 percent accuracy compared to traditional tests.

The lab plans to use the new funds to automate and miniaturize the monitor for interested markets. Dr. Rao has established relationships with potential collaborators in Ethiopia, the Philippines, India, Mexico, and Nepal, and is partnered with General Electric, who will eventually manufacture the device.