5 devices to save the lives of mothers and children

We look at five devices that could help save lives in every corner of the globe

Uterine balloon tamponades

One of the biggest causes of maternal death is postpartum haemorrhage, which can be stopped or slowed by inserting an inflatable tamponade into the uterus. The Every Second Matters for Mothers and Babies device is basically a condom, attached to a catheter, that's inflated with water through a syringe and a one-way valve.

2015–2030 estimated impact: 169,000 mothers' lives saved.

Handheld device to measure blood pressure

Pre-eclampsia is a condition that affects more than one in 20 pregnant women and is associated with dangerously high blood pressure. Microlife Vital Signs Alert is a handheld device that measures both blood pressure and shock index. Widespread use may enable earlier detection of a key symptom of pre-eclampsia, as well as other hypertensive disorders.

Portable pulse oximeters to measure oxygen

Measurement of blood oxygen levels could be used to detect pneumonia, the leading cause of death among children under age five years. One method to measure oxygen levels in the body is a pulse oximeter. A new type of oximeter uses a mobile phone attachment to accurately measure oxygen levels without touching the body.

2015–2030 estimated impact: 772,000 children’s lives saved

Neonatal resuscitators

As many as one in ten newborns needs help breathing at birth and many of these babies will die without proper care. Low-cost neonatal resuscitation devices could help save lives. One product with potential is the Laerdal Upright Resuscitator which is designed to improve the mask-mouth seal and features easy assembly and cleaning.

Simple, safe device for assisted delivery

Complications during prolonged labour can be fatal to both mother and baby. Although a caesarean section or operative vaginal delivery is an option for some women, simple, low-cost alternatives are needed. One solution is the BD Odon Device, which features a polyethylene film that is wrapped around the baby’s head, allowing a health worker to assist with delivery.

2015–2030 estimated impact: 249,000 maternal and foetal lives saved