Design and Development of a Simple Screw Mechanism for a Low-Cost Neonatal Syringe Pump

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Device Design
• Neonatal Care Technology

Background:

• Neonatal mortality remains a significant global health challenge, with millions of deaths annually.
• Specialist neonatal care, including precise drug delivery via syringe pumps, is crucial for reducing infant mortality.
• Existing low-cost, open-source syringe pump designs have limitations, especially in resource-constrained environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate a simple, open-source screw mechanism for potential integration into a low-cost syringe pump.
• To address the need for affordable and reliable neonatal care equipment in low-resource settings.

Main Methods:

• A prototype low-cost screw mechanism utilizing a non-captive stepper motor was engineered.
• Accuracy testing involved infusing saline using various syringe sizes (5mL, 20mL, 30mL, 60mL) at different rates.
• Flow rate error was calculated based on the time to infuse 75% of the nominal volume, adhering to ISO 286020:2020 standards.

Main Results:

• The prototype achieved a low total mean flow rate error of 0.38%±1.62%, well within the UNICEF/NEST360 target of 3%.
• The design features fewer components compared to other open-source alternatives.
• The mechanism demonstrated adaptability to a range of syringe sizes and superior accuracy compared to many existing designs.

Conclusions:

• The developed open-source screw mechanism shows promise for creating accurate, low-cost syringe pumps for neonatal care.
• This innovation could significantly enhance the quality of care in low-resource healthcare settings.
• Further research is recommended to test with diverse fluids, rates, and optimize software/hardware for enhanced accuracy.