Medical Molder Develops Innovative Neonatal Care DeviceMedical Molder Develops Innovative Neonatal Care Device

A contract development and manufacturing organization serving the medical technology sector, Europlaz has developed a proprietary CO₂ sampling port that attaches to the side of its neonatal flow sensor. The device is designed to help improve neonatal care and save the lives of more babies born prematurely or in distress.

The sampling port enables clinicians to follow protocols related to the use of lung protective volume control and CO₂ monitoring. This is achieved by combining the sensor for measuring flow volume with the optimally placed sampling port for safely extracting gas for tidal flow CO₂ monitoring, reducing dead space found in existing products and ensuring more accurate readings, according to Europlaz.

A decade of neonatal flow-sensor expertise

Based in Chelmsford, UK, Europlaz has been manufacturing neonatal flow sensors for more than 10 years and said it has sold more than one million to date. The company added in the news release that it believes the time is ripe for ventilator manufacturers to consider switching to this neonatal flow sensor to save lives, reduce costs to the UK’s National Health Service, and avoid expensive litigation.

Europlaz Product Development Manager Frede Jensen (left) and Commercial Director Rory O’Keeffe. Image courtesy of Europlaz.

“Momentum is definitely growing, with two global manufacturers adopting our new flow sensors and trials about to begin with a famous London hospital,” said Europlaz Product Development Manager Frede Jensen. “This will provide the clinical evidence that many of the ventilator manufacturers have been asking for. We are dealing with the tiniest of lives, so it is imperative that we give clinical teams the best possible technology to help them do their jobs. This is exactly what this innovation does, with the side sampling port delivering the stable and accurate readings of CO₂ being exhaled that they need to better inform the care of the child, and the level of ventilation support required,” added Jensen.

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Europlaz assembles sophisticated production cell

Europlaz added that it is ramping up production for its new neonatal flow sensor, with a substantial investment in a new robotic welder. It’s described as the central element of a modern production cell that uses vision controlled micro-robotic wire welding to deliver highly consistent sensor quality, performance, and reliability.

“The robot is capable of welding a 13-micron precious metal wire — one-third the thickness of a human hair — to a surface smaller than a pinhead with 5-micron precision,” said Jensen. “It gives us the repeatable quality that we know is required and the confidence that our sensors will deliver accurate readings time and time again. We can also increase capacity, with the genuine expectation that we can supply 500,000 sensors every year,” said Jensen.

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Europlaz offers a comprehensive suite of contract development and manufacturing services to medical device OEMs, including tooling design, prototyping, injection molding, cleanroom manufacturing, and sterilization.