Evaluation of a Bubble CPAP System for Low Resource Settings

BACKGROUND: Despite its established safety, efficacy, and relative simplicity, CPAP treatment is not widely available for newborns and infants in low- and middle-income settings. A novel bubble CPAP system was designed to address the gaps in quality and accessibility of existing CPAP systems by providing blended, humidified, and pressurized gases without the need for electricity, compressed air, or manual power. This was the first study that tested the performance of the system with a simulated patient model. METHODS: In a spontaneously breathing 3-dimensional printed nasal airway model of a preterm neonate, CPAP performance was assessed based on delivered pressure, oxygen level, and humidity at different settings. RESULTS: Preliminary device performance characteristics were within 5% among 3 separate devices. Performance testing showed accurate control of CPAP and oxygen concentration at all settings with the bubble CPAP system. Lung model pressure and oxygen concentration were shown to stay within +/- 0.5 cm H2O and +/- 4% of full scale of the device settings, respectively, with relative humidity > 80%. CONCLUSIONS: Performance testing of the bubble CPAP system demonstrated accurate control of CPAP and oxygen concentration with humidity levels suitable for premature newborns on noninvasive support.