Team 31

The Plight of Maternal Health: A Solution Aimed to Treat the Leading Cause of Maternal Mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa

Team Members: Daniel Bhella
Alexia Kamau
Jonathan Planten
Kayla Zeien

Team Mentors: Mary Jane Parmentier, PhD - School for Future of Innovation in Society, ASU
Eric Stribling - Engineer (U.S.)
Barbara Smith, PhD - SBHSE

YouTube Link: View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting

Zoom Link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/81814356935

Abstract

Postpartum hemorrhaging is the leading cause of maternal mortality in developing countries [1]. Approximately 68% of all maternal deaths worldwide occur in Sub-Saharan Africa [1]. “In 2017, the lifetime risk of maternal death in low income countries as a whole was 1 in 45, compared to 1 in 5,4000 in high-income countries” [1]. Postpartum hemorrhaging occurs after childbirth when uterine contractions are not strong enough to apply pressure, causing continuous bleeding of the local blood vessels. Our team is improving upon current uterine balloon tamponades (UBTs) on the market to offer a simple, effective, durable and cost-effective way to enable uterine contractions and stop postpartum bleeding. Our design consists of a silicone balloon that is attached firmly to silicone tubing and a 300mL syringe. The syringe with saline solution will be administered into the uterus through the tubing. Only one syringe is employed in our design to reduce the risk of injury and to reduce the time it would take to switch between syringes or suck in more fluid. Additionally, our solution forgoes valves in order to make the device quicker to use and easier to manipulate, reducing the number of hands needed to administer the UBT. Finally, because it is intended for the developing world, it is projected to be sold for under $10. Current UBT designs are very limited in Africa and novel designs that have shown promising results do not have substantial documentation of outcomes after implementation. Uterine tamponade devices that are being currently used in the U.S. can not be implemented in these regions because of the high cost, lack of resources and funding.