Infant mortality and morbidity due to motor vehicle crasheshas significantly decreased since the use of infant restraint systemshas become mandatory. However, the unique problems of the protectionof low birth weight (LBW) and physically fragile infant occupants inautomobile crashes has not been specifically addressed by either thegovernment or industry. Increasing numbers of LBW infants arereleased annually from hospitals. Many of these infants require apneamonitors and are in danger of respiratory compromise when placed inthe semi-reclined position. There is an immediate need for a car bed for this infant population to allow them to be transported in theprone of supine position. During a previous SBIR Phase I contractwith the Department of Transportation (DOT), we demonstrated thefeasibility of the development of a car bed to fulfill this need.Additionally, this car bed provides the unique capability of securingthe equipment necessary for physiological monitoring of apneicinfants while it is in use in the vehicle. The ultimate purpose is to further develop, test and evaluate this innovative device to bring itinto the market place.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of theresearch: There are in excess of 300,000 LBW infants released fromhospitals annually. The results of this research will provide theonly car bed designed specifically for the safe transport of thispopulation. This constitutes a significant size market, assuring thefinancial viability of the commercialization of this safety device.National Institute for Nursing Research (NCNR)
