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Project # 139
A Precision Time-of-Flight (ToF) Monitoring System for Continuous Prevention of Endotracheal Tube Dislodgment in Neonatal Care
| Team Lead: | Feabie Mendiaz |
| Other Team Members: | Holden Garcia | Tanisha Dia Osman |
| Faculty Advisor(s): | Dr. Liping Tang |
| Department: | BE |
| Project Type: | Senior Design |
| Title: | A Precision Time-of-Flight (ToF) Monitoring System for Continuous Prevention of Endotracheal Tube Dislodgment in Neonatal Care |
| Abstract: | Unplanned extubation is a critical adverse event in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU), affecting up to 41% of intubated neonates. These events extend hospital stays by up to 42 days and impose an average excess cost of $50,000 per patient. Currently, neonatologists rely on daily X-rays to verify tube position, exposing vulnerable infants to excessive radiation. Furthermore, sedation is also highly discouraged to prevent the delay in neurodevelopment. This study introduces a novel, non-invasive mechatronic system utilizing Time-of-Flight (ToF) technology to provide 24/7 real-time surveillance of endotracheal tube (ETT) positioning. Unlike traditional intensity-based infrared sensors, this ToF approach measures photon travel time, ensuring 1 mm precision independent of patient skin tone. The device integrates an Arduino-based processing unit and a custom PCB within a 3D-printed enclosure. A localized interface triggers immediate visual and audible alarms if displacement exceeds safety thresholds. By replacing periodic radiographic checks with continuous automated monitoring, this solution eliminates unnecessary radiation exposure, reduces neonatal morbidity, and addresses a multi-billion-dollar healthcare burden. This engineering intervention fundamentally transforms NICU safety standards from reactive care to proactive, data-driven prevention, offering a scalable, low-cost solution. Through high-fidelity sensing, we bridge the gap between intermittent clinical observation and continuous life-support security. |
| Poster: | View Poster #139 (PDF) |
| Judges Scoring: | Submit Evaluation (judges only) |