The first minute of birth is a critical period to primarily establish breathing of a newborn; failing to do so can have life-threatening outcomes. These outcomes are preventable through timely neonatal resuscitation. However, the complex and skill-intensive nature of existing equipment makes it inaccessible for frontline workers in resource-limited settings.
Conventional resuscitation tools lack a user-friendly usage and learning experience. Key challenges included reliance on electricity, poor device portability, difficulty maintaining mask seals, and inadequate neck positioning—all of which compromise a newborn’s chance of survival in the critical "golden minute."
To develop a user-centered, low-cost, and power-independent neonatal resuscitation device tailored specifically for supporting healthcare staff.
Through iterative prototyping and co-design with clinicians, the team integrated foot-powered suction, hands-free mask sealing, and ergonomic neck support into a compact resuscitator.
NeoBreathe, a radically simplified resuscitation device that combines foot-operated ventilation and suction, robust design, and intuitive use—enabling effective care delivery by minimally trained personnel without electricity or complex equipment.
