The benefits of an automatic system are two fold. The first is that an automatic system is not prone to human error and may be programmed to record the responses of the system as a record of the actions taken or alarms generated. The second is that the program may be modified to improve the control technique as data is acquired and correlated to specific responses of the baby.
Describe study approach
The study approach is to place the system in a hospital environment and monitor the results. It is anticipated that this will be done by applying the monitor to a baby that is being monitored and controlled by a nurse and physician. Data would be recorded for both the nurse controlled changes as well as the changes which would have been made by the system. This may be accomplished by modifying the oxygen valves with position indicators so the corrections of the nurse and the commanded correction of the system may be recorded and compared. The data taken over a period of time would be analyzed to determine the ability of the system to perform the required corrections. After verification of the adequacy of the controls, a second set of data would be taken with the system in control and monitored on a full time basis by a nurse. This data would then be analyzed and compared with predicted results.
Desired result and supporting organizations
