School of Bio-Medical Sciences (Bio-Medical) Collection
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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
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ItemDevelopment of an automated respiratory rate counter as a screening tool in diagnosis of pneumonia(Makerere University, 2025)Pneumonia is a leading cause of death among children under five, particularly in low-resource settings where diagnostic tools are limited. This project involved the design and development of an automated respiratory rate monitoring device aimed at improving early detection of pneumonia in pediatric patients. Using an iterative, need-driven design process, a solution was developed that prioritizes affordability, ease of use, and suitability for use in rural and urban healthcare facilities.The design process included low- and high-fidelity prototyping, signal processing implementation, and bench-top validation to ensure accuracy and usability. Testing informed key design refinements to enhance performance, stability, and user interaction. Market assessment confirmed the device’s relevance across multiple levels of the healthcare system, and financial projections suggested a viable path to sustainable deployment. The resulting device offers a practical and context-appropriate alternative to manual respiratory rate assessment, with potential to improve the quality and timeliness of pneumonia diagnosis in young children.