Design Criteria and Limitations

  • Some drawbacks to the current solutions include: the need for a heat source to keep the infant from contracting hypothermia during the cord-cut delay period, as well as the inability of neonatal care providers (eg; neonatal nurses) to intervene within the sterile surgical environment safely during this period. (https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2020/12/delayed-umbilical-cord-clamping-after-birth) 4
  • The device we design should match the following criteria: must be relatively low profile and compact to make sure it does not interfere with direct contact between the baby and mother (a common temperature control method for the baby) as well as speed up the process of fluid transfer from the placenta to the baby (possible through cord milking?), decreasing the time the baby is effectively inaccessible to those outside the surgical field. The device should also be disposable and cheap, in order to optimize the sterility of the environment.  (https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/delayed-cord-clamping-c-section) 2
  • In addition, the device should be biocompatible. DCC allows for umbilical cord milking, which allows for extra blood to enter the infant. A device that is not biocompatible may potentially allow for harmful bacteria to interfere with the blood entering the infant (https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/umbilical-cord-milking-improves-blood-flow-preterm-infants) 10
  • Finally, the device should be easy and quick to use and allow for medical professionals to perform the procedure without any delays or interruptions. In other words, medical professionals should not need to spend significant time using the device, otherwise it may potentially delay the advised time to wait for clamping even further which will increase the risk for the infant to develop jaundice. (https://women.texaschildrens.org/blog/heres-why-delayed-cord-clamping-new-normal) 5