Abstract
Premature births, a significant global health challenge, often result in various health complexities that require specialized neonatal intensive care. Traditional vital sign monitoring methods pose risks to the delicate skin and the overall health of premature infants. Non-invasive respiratory modalities in Neonatal Intensive Care Units, such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and High-flow Nasal Cannula, have notable drawbacks that limit their performance in providing effective respiratory support for these delicate patients. To overcome these challenges, we developed a multifunctional neonatal catheter that integrates feeding, vital sign monitoring, and internal respiratory feedback into a single, less invasive device. An air pressure sensor is a key component of this catheter. This study focuses on the preliminary testing of multiple pressure sensors as potential options for this catheter. Sensors underwent day-long drift and noise level analysis under varying air pressure conditions. Signal analysis was performed to enhance data clarity and find potential noise sources. Results indicated variations in sensor performance, with certain sensors demonstrating superior stability, minimal drift, and minimal noise levels, making them suitable for integration into the catheter. The findings can help to narrow down the options for the most viable sensor. More comprehensive studies are needed to evaluate the performance of the selected options for clinical use.
