Design Inputs

1. The device must be able to detect body position.

  • Specifications:
    • 1.1: Device must be able to accurately categorize sleeping position as supine or prone
  • Justification:
    • Sleeping in the prone or lateral position can obstruct the baby’s airway leading to suffocation
    • Pediatrician recommended sleeping position is supine.

2. The device must be able to non-invasively measure body temperature.

  • Specifications:
    • 2.1: Device must be able to accurately measure local temperatures between a range of 31°C to 39°C.
  • Justification:
    • A body temperature outside the normal physiological range (35.5oC to 37oC) is an indicator of disease.

3. The device must be able to detect the sound signals of the baby.

  • Specification:
    • 3.1: Device must be able to measure frequencies between a range of 1,000 Hz to 6,000 Hz.
  • Justification:
  • This frequency range includes those measured from crying due to reasons such as hunger, need of a diaper change, emotional needs, and physical discomfort or pain.

4. The device must be able to non-invasively measure respiratory rate.

  • Specifications:
    • 4.1: Device must be able to accurately (RMSE ≤ 3 bpm) measure respiratory rate between 10 and 80 bpm.
  • Justification:
    • Respiratory rate is important in determining whether professional medical care is required.
    • 18 to 68 breaths/min covers range of 98% of healthy children under 2.
    • Accuracy specification based on similar devices.

5. The device must be able to non-invasively measure heart rate.

  • Specifications:
    • 5.1: Device must be able to accurately (± 5 bpm or ± 10%) measure heart rate between 70 and 210 bpm.
  • Justification:
    • A heart rate outside the normal physiological range is an indicator of disease.
    • 80 to 185 bpm covers heart rates of 98% of normal children under 2 years old.
    • EC13 standard requires measurements to be accurate within ± 5 bpm or ± 10%, whichever is greater.

6. The device must take measurements in light and dark conditions.

  • Specification:
    • 6.1: Minimum: 1 lux. Maximum: 300 lux. 
  • Justification:
    • Babies sleep in dark and light environments.
    • Recommended: Adults indoor: 1-250 lux, Babies in NICU: 10-600 lux

7. The device must have the ability to set alarm limits based on input values. 

  • Specifications:
    • 7.1: Low alarm: Indicates cautionary alarm; outside selected range. 
    • 7.2: High alarm: Indicates danger; measured values are at or exceeding hospitalization level.
    • 7.3 Alarm must be less than 100 dB.
  • Justification:
    • Vitals vary per child. An alert must be generated as per a pediatrician’s recommendation.
    • Sounds over 100 dB can cause hearing loss.