School of Bio-Medical Sciences (Bio-Medical) Collection
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ItemA systematic approach to blood shortages in LMICs: Design of a device for whole blood auto transfusion(Makerere University, 2020-12-12)This report follows the activities of team ugHealth in an effort to fulfil the requirements of the design course series for the period of 7th September, 2018 to 20th December, 2020. The report is structured in four sections, section one expounding on the needs finding exercise, problem statement, the synthesis of the proposed solution to solve the identified problem, and its justification. Section Two comprises of the prototype design, section 3 – testing protocols and section four – redesign and the design, development & business plans. On Tuesday 11th September 2018, we carried out a needs finding field work exercise in two hospital environments that is CoRSU and Pan Dental Hospital. From the two environments, we interacted with different medical specialists and staff, and noticed some problems. The needs assessment exercise offered a vivid perspective of the problems faced in the Ugandan health care system. However, we were required to identify a single problem; the team used an elimination matrix to choose a principal challenge. From the needs assessment exercise, UgHealth found that a lot of blood is lost during surgical operations by the patients, and there is a shortage of blood for transfusion especially for rare blood types. We had an interview with Dr. Antonio Loro an orthopaedic surgeon; he informed us about the deficit in the supply of donor blood at the blood bank and the high costs associated with current blood recycling methodologies in particular the cell saver machine. The hospital (CoRSU) carries out about 420 surgeries weekly and in over three quarters of these surgeries, the patients suffer haemorrhages. The hospital currently resorts to the expensive and un reliable method of blood bag transfusions which in recent research findings are not the best for trauma patients. An innovation for blood recycling and transfusion is of the essence. After profound desk based investigative research into this problem, we discovered shocking revelations like: “surgery deaths in Africa are twice the global average.” Furthermore, we found out that haemorrhages are the leading cause of death in the surgery setting of Africa and this in turn is accelerated by lack of blood donations and galore direct/indirect costs incurred by different stakeholders including patients. The revelations from the needs finding exercise convinced us that it was important to solve the problem at hand. We carried out research pertaining the current solutions and their limitations in order to shape our solution. Our goal in this course series was to design of a device to carry out autologous blood transfusion. We believe that our solution - haemoSAVE will be a major driver in achieving universal health care as regards the surgery setting of Africa and other developing economies, it will further save stakeholders great amounts of money which can be directed to other problems in the health sector.
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ItemDesigning a low-pressure oxygen storage system for storing oxygen in low- and middle-income countries(Makerere University, 2025)Oxygen therapy is essential for treating respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and asthma, and oxygen concentrators are crucial for delivering this therapy. However, unreliable power sources in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) hinder the effective use of these concentrators. According to WHO, less than 30% of health facilities in LMICs have access to reliable electricity, making consistent oxygen therapy a significant challenge. This lack of access underscores the urgent need for reliable oxygen storage solutions. This forms a basis for the Team Bio crew’s design project to come up with a simple, cost-effective storage system vital for bridging this gap and ensuring consistent oxygen delivery. This project has grown now through three semesters, i.e. design I, II and III where we concluded with the testing of the Oxybag. This report details the redesign process undertaken to improve the OxyBag’s material composition, leak prevention, and automation features. Initial testing revealed limitations with Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR), prompting a material re-selection process, leading to the adoption of Butyl Rubber for improved elasticity, durability, and oxygen retention. Additionally, a pneumatic valve mechanism was integrated to ensure automatic switching between the stored and concentrator oxygen supply during power failures, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The report also presents the retesting process conducted to verify the functionality, reliability, and performance of the redesigned OxyBag, ensuring that it meets the intended technical and operational requirements. Additionally, the report outlines the device classification, aligning it with relevant medical device regulations and safety standards to ensure compliance. Furthermore, it provides an in-depth analysis of the Lean Canvas model, detailing the problem statement, value proposition, cost structure, revenue streams, and key market channels. The report also examines the market structure, evaluating potential early adopters, distribution strategies, and partnerships necessary for the successful deployment and commercialization of the OxyBag in low-resource health care settings
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ItemNeobelt: cost-effective management of neonatal hypothermia(Makerere University, 2025)This report details the complete design and development process of the Kinotech neonatal warming belt, a medical device specifically engineered to combat neonatal hypothermia in low-resource settings. Neonatal hypothermia, defined by the World Health Organization as a core body temperature below 36.5°C, remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among newborns, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. It is most prevalent in preterm and low-birthweight infants, who are especially vulnerable to rapid heat loss due to underdeveloped thermoregulatory systems and inadequate access to continuous, reliable thermal support. The Kinotech team designed a portable, non-electric warming belt using beeswax as a phase change material for consistent thermal energy. The Neobelt heats the chest of neonates, improving circulation and maintaining core temperature. It is reusable, safe, and suitable for newborn care at home and in facilities. The project employed an iterative design approach, beginning with user needs assessment through healthcare worker interviews and benchmarking of existing thermal devices. Initial prototypes were evaluated through tests on heat retention, temperature uniformity, and beeswax melting, which revealed performance inconsistencies and issues with comfort and reusability. In response, the team undertook a redesign phase guided by user-centered design principles. Material substitutions were made to improve heat insulation and comfort, the belt’s ergonomics were enhanced for better fit on neonates of varying sizes, and the heating chamber was optimized for uniform wax melting and safer handling. Feedback from clinical advisors, neonatal nurses, and biomedical mentors was integrated throughout this process to ensure both functional reliability and user acceptability. Following the completion of design refinements, the final prototype underwent confirmatory testing which demonstrated improved heat retention duration, more consistent surface temperatures, faster and safer beeswax activation, and enhanced wearability. The final version of the Neobelt successfully meets predefined clinical and design criteria, showing promise as a scalable solution for reducing hypothermia-related neonatal mortality in resource-constrained environments. This report documents each phase of the design process from problem identification and ideation to prototyping, testing, and finalization, providing a comprehensive overview of the decisions, challenges, and solutions that shaped the development of the Kinotech Neobelt. The resulting device is ready for deployment in pilot programs and clinical trials to assess its long-term effectiveness and scalability.
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ItemA technical report of the design of a knee brace for knee osteoathritis patients in low resource settings that is comfortable and fitting to manage the condition(Makerere University, 2025)This report details the research and development process undertaken by a four-member design team to address the affordability of knee osteoarthritis braces in rural Ugandan communities. Following initial team building exercises and a comprehensive need finding and screening process, the team identified knee osteoarthritis as a critical issue impacting daily life and mobility. Focusing on affordability as the primary concern, the report outlines brainstorming sessions that led to the selection of a specific design concept for an accessible and low-cost knee brace. The report delves into the prototyping process redesign and more, including material selection, fabrication techniques, and preliminary cost-effectiveness analysis. Ultimately, this report aims to document the team's efforts in developing a potentially transformative solution for individuals living with knee osteoarthritis in resource-constrained settings.
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ItemDesigning a low-pressure oxygen storage system for storing oxygen in low- and middle-income countries.(Makerere University, 2025)Oxygen therapy is essential for treating respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and asthma, and oxygen concentrators are crucial for delivering this therapy. However, unreliable power sources in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) hinder the effective use of these concentrators. According to WHO, less than 30% of health facilities in LMICs have access to reliable electricity, making consistent oxygen therapy a significant challenge. This lack of access underscores the urgent need for reliable oxygen storage solutions. This forms a basis for the Team Bio crew’s design project to come up with a simple, cost-effective storage system vital for bridging this gap and ensuring consistent oxygen delivery. This project has grown now through three semesters, i.e. design I, II and III where we concluded with the testing of the Oxybag. This report details the redesign process undertaken to improve the OxyBag’s material composition, leak prevention, and automation features. Initial testing revealed limitations with Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR), prompting a material re-selection process, leading to the adoption of Butyl Rubber for improved elasticity, durability, and oxygen retention. Additionally, a pneumatic valve mechanism was integrated to ensure automatic switching between the stored and concentrator oxygen supply during power failures, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The report also presents the retesting process conducted to verify the functionality, reliability, and performance of the redesigned OxyBag, ensuring that it meets the intended technical and operational requirements. Additionally, the report outlines the device classification, aligning it with relevant medical device regulations and safety standards to ensure compliance. Furthermore, it provides an in-depth analysis of the Lean Canvas model, detailing the problem statement, value proposition, cost structure, revenue streams, and key market channels. The report also examines the market structure, evaluating potential early adopters, distribution strategies, and partnerships necessary for the successful deployment and commercialization of the OxyBag in low-resource health care settings