Every baby born in this world does not have an equal chance of survival. Infant mortality rates in India as of 2013 are 39 males and 42 females per 1000 births. There is a need to bring these numbers down even further and keep more children alive. Among the causes of death, birth asphyxia is responsible for almost 10% of all infants dying after they were born. Babies who are born with this condition and aren’t taken care of as soon as possible risk dying or living with brain damage.
Recently, a company called Pluss Advanced Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a venture funded company by Tata Capital Innovations Fund received the MSME – 2017 award for successfully commercializing an innovative and indigenous product to be used in the medical industry. It’s called MiraCradle™ Neonate Cooler and it saves the lives of babies.
MiraCradle™ Neonate Cooler uses phase-changing materials (PCM) that were developed by Pluss Advanced Technologies Pvt. Ltd. PCMs are special thermal energy storage materials that store and release heat at a particular temperature. The thermal energy transfer occurs when the material changes phase from solid to liquid or liquid to solid.
What is the purpose of the MiraCradle™ Neonate Cooler?
The MiraCradle™ Neonate Cooler is meant to save and heal babies who suffer brain damage and/or die from birth asphyxia. Birth asphyxia occurs when a new-born infant is deprived of oxygen long enough to cause physical harm, usually to the brain. This condition can damage the infant’s organs too. Though most babies recover, they end up with developmental delay or intellectual disability or even, spasticity.
What does it do?
It induces therapeutic hypothermia. This means keeping the temperature of the baby below normal body temperature. For it to be a success, the baby must be cooled to around 33-34°C for 3 days. According to a report by The Indian Express, birth asphyxia is responsible for almost 10% of all neonatal births. Ankit Jhanwar, part of the senior management at MiraCradle™ Neonate Cooler said that birth asphyxia is the second highest occurring cause of death in infants across the world. Developing countries are particularly affected because every other machine to induce therapeutic hypothermia costs around Rs. 15-20 lakhs but MiraCradle™ Neonate Cooler costs 1/10th of that.
How does it work?
According to their website, “MiraCradle™ Neonate Cooler uses the advanced savE® phase change material technology. Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are special thermal energy storage materials that store and release heat at a particular temperature. The thermal energy transfer occurs when the material changes phase from solid to liquid or liquid to solid. It is easy to use, safe, light weight, portable and gives the precise temperature control of 33-34°C for a period of 72 hours with minimal manual supervision and no requirement of constant electricity supply.”
Can we see what comprises the MiraCradle™ Neonate Cooler?
It is made of three parts. The plastic cradle that houses 3 units of savE®FS-29 PCM which are placed at the bottom of the cradle. One unit of savE®FS-21 is placed above that when needed. A conduction mattress (a gel bed) rests as the main top layer and any soft baby-friendly cloth is placed on top of this for the baby to rest on. The guide for using the MiraCradle™ Neonate Cooler is below.
Why are we talking about this?
It is a fantastic invention that has come from India. It has won awards for its brilliance. It was designed under the National Institute of Design’s Clinic Scheme for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Below and in no particular order are the list of accolades it received:
Winner at the Innovators’ Competition for DST- Lockheed Martin India innovation Growth Programme 2015.
Included in the WHO Compendium of Innovative Health Technologies for Low Resource Setting.
Winner of CII Industrial Innovation Award – 2014. Winner of India Innovates: 2020 award by ASSOCHAM
Winner of Plasticon Awards 2015
Winner of Kirloskar Technology Awards 2015
Winner of Healthcare Excellence Award at Indo- Global Healthcare Summit & Expo’ 14
The President’s Award for Successful Commercialization of Indigenous Technology 2017.
The design was created by Design Directions, an award winning product and communications design studio started by Satish Gokhale and Falguni Gokhale. Both are alumni of National Institute of Design and have about fifty years of design experience under their belts. They have won awards for medical devices, industrial equipment and more. It’s the award this year on May 11th (National Technology Day) that caught our eye. The award included a cash prize of Rs. 15,00,000 a trophy and a citation.
What does this mean for designers?
It means that designers and perhaps, in particular, product designers who want to make a positive impact in society have avenues to be rewarded. It also goes to show that innovation in design is still strong in the Indian design ecosystem and that anybody could be recognized for their work on a national level. Also, if a design is as innovative and useful as the MiraCradle™ Neonate Cooler can win awards over 3 years, then there should be no shortage of motivation to design products that change and, maybe even, save lives.
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