NEST: Neonatal Enhanced and Smart Technology

Background

The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a critical area in the healthcare domain where smart technology and advanced algorithms can make a profound impact. The NICU handles the care of newborn infants, especially the ill or premature newborn, which is both a sensitive and vital service. Current NICU technologies can be improved and complemented with advancements in the field of Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), and smart devices to enhance the overall standard of neonatal care.

Our team, NEST - Neonatal Enhanced and Smart Technology, aspires to focus on the intersection of these domains with neonatology. We aim to innovate, design, and implement novel projects to enhance the services at neonatal units, leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI/ML, IoT, data science, network communications, HCI, and edge computing. Our overall mission is to reduce NICU admission time, improve outcomes for premature babies, and optimize perinatal services.

Our main areas of interest are:

Development of smart devices and systems for enhanced neonatal care;
Leveraging AI/ML for predicting neonatal care outcomes;
Integration of IoT in neonatal units for real-time monitoring and care;
Utilizing AI in optimizing NICU space and resource management;
Enhancing parental bonding through smart solutions in NICU.

Goals:

Design & development of AI/ML models for predictive care in neonatology;
Development of IoT-integrated devices for real-time neonatal monitoring;
Enhancing parent-infant bonding through smart solutions.

Key Elements: AI/ML model development, validation, and implementation; IoT device design and development; Software and systems design, implementation, and validation; Data analysis and interpretation in neonatal care; User-interface and user-experience design for neonatal care applications; Partnership with medical professionals for practical insights and implementation.

Projects:

Development of an application that helps mothers who can't be physically present with their babies in the NICU in supporting the parent-infant bonding. The app could live-stream video of the baby, play recorded lullabies from the mother, or provide a platform for nurses to share updates;
Development of an AI-based system to predict safe discharge timings for neonates;
Development of IoT integrated devices such as a music-activated baby bottle to encourage feeding in preterm babies, and a vibrating mattress to stimulate respiration in preterm babies;
Design of an AI system for optimal incubation needs prediction and resource allocation;
AI-based risk calculation for early delivery and intervention prediction in early onset severe Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) cases;
Partnership with hospital NICUs for implementation and feedback.

Team Advisors: Tamer Nadeem, Ph.D. (Co-Advisor, Associate Professor, Computer Science, College of Engineering); Miheret Yitayew, MD, MPH (Co-Advisor, Pediatrics\Neonatal medicine, VCU Medical Center Critical Care Hospital); Mohamed Osman (Graduate Research Assistant, Nadeem’s MuSIC Lab); and Mohammed Ayyat (Graduate Research Assistant, Nadeem’s MuSIC Lab).

Project Partner and Sponsor: None at this time

Majors/Background: We invite highly motivated students in CS, BME, ECE, and Pediatrics, with a strong desire to participate in research in the intersecting areas of engineering and nursing, and who are passionate about making a difference in neonatal care through the application of cutting-edge technology to join us in our journey towards transforming neonatal care services.

Contact: Prof. Tamer Nadeem (tnadeem@vcu.edu), Dr. Miheret Yitayew (Miheret.Yitayew@vcuhealth.org)