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University of California, San Diego
University of California, San Diego
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Sponsored by Dr. Henry Lee , UC San Diego Health
Sponsored by Dr. Henry Lee , UC San Diego Health
Anastasia Egoudine | Summer Lindauer
Anastasia Egoudine | Summer Lindauer
Carly Huen | Emily Salz
Carly Huen | Emily Salz
Project Background Overview
Project Background Overview
Skin-to-skin contact between newborns and their parents, commonly known as "kangaroo care," is recommended by the World Health Organization for its wide-ranging physiological and emotional benefits. This practice not only strengthens the emotional bond between parent and child but also helps regulate the infant’s heart rate, breathing, and body temperature. It is particularly beneficial for preterm infants, who often have greater difficulty stabilizing their vital systems. Close contact supports healthy brain development and improves weight gain, feeding behaviors, and immune function. Parents also experience benefits, including reduced stress and increased confidence in their caregiving abilities.
Preterm infant attached to a ventilator
The Problem
The Problem
Kangaroo care offers important developmental benefits for preterm infants, but it can be difficult to provide when a baby is connected to life-support equipment.
Infants supported by the Bunnell High-Frequency Jet Ventilator are connected to an accessory box through a breathing tube only 17 inches long, requiring the accessory box to remain in close proximity during skin-to-skin care. However, there is currently no optimal method for securely positioning this equipment.
As a result, many hospitals delay kangaroo care until the infant is more medically stable, postponing access to the critical benefits of early skin-to-skin contact.
Previous Solution: The KangaMove Arm
Previous Solution: The KangaMove Arm
A previous team of UC San Diego Mechanical Engineering students developed the KangaMove, a mechanical support arm designed to securely position the accessory equipment associated with the Jet Ventilator during kangaroo care.
While the device successfully demonstrated the concept and was deployed in local NICUs, acrylic component failures limited its durability and service life. The KangaArm project builds upon this foundation by improving reliability, ergonomics, and ease of use for clinical staff.
The KangaMove by Spring 2025 Senior Design Team
Our Solution: The KangaArm
Our Solution: The KangaArm
Building off the KangaMove Arm, the redesigned KangaArm features a robust mechanical system built to securely support critical medical equipment.
Key components include a semi-permanent ventilator clamp for stable attachment, a locking revolute joint for smooth rotational movement, three vertical locking joints for adjustable positioning and stability, and an vibration isolating accessory plate designed to hold the ventilator box. Together, these elements create a reliable, flexible, and ergonomic support arm for use during skin-to-skin treatment.
For more details on our final design, please see our final design page.
Individual Component Breakdown
Semi- Permant Ventilator Pole Clamp
Bike-Style Revolute Locking Joint
Vertical Rotation Locking Joints
Two- Tiered Vibration Isolation Plate
KangaArm Demonstration Video
KangaArm Demonstration Video
Performance Summary
Performance Summary
Overall, the KangaArm recieved stellar feedback. NICU Staff from UCSD Jacobs Medical Center and Sharp Mary Birch Hospital describing the structural arm as ergonomically sound, sturdy and intuitive to use.
For more details on the our users' feedback, please see User Feedback page.
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