New transport incubator attracts interest at the Neonatal Transport Group meeting

At the Neonatal Transport Group meeting in Southampton, November 2019, exhibitors showed a comprehensive range of products for neonatal transport. The meeting was the first chance for people to see the lightweight Airborne 750i incubator (International Biomedical, USA, distributed by SLE Ltd) with its extra-large chamber mounted on the new ‘UK standard’ trolley from ParAid Medical. The standard trolley is a design that has taken input from many regional transport teams to arrive at a layout that can incorporate a choice of different medical devices without the need to design a bespoke trolley every time.

The trolley can accommodate a variety of ventilators including the EveNeo (MEDACX Ltd) on its transport docking station. The grommets on the front door of the Airborne 750i incubator combine with the trolley layout to allow the patient to be removed from the incubator with the EveNeo ventilator still connected.

Also mounted on the trolley were the SenTec transcutaneous CO² monitor, B. Braun Space modular infusion system and a Tecotherm Neo thermoregulation system (Inspiration Healthcare). Inside the incubator was a Neo-Restraint harness (ParAid Medical).

The Airborne 750i incubator distributed by SLE Ltd is mounted on the UK standard trolley from ParAid Medical.

Accessories for infant transport included the NeoFit ET-tube securement device and the Cannulaide hydrocolloid dressing for nCPAP (nasal continuous positive airway pressure), both from SLE Ltd. The Cannulaide reduces leak during nCPAP and protects the infant from nasal/septal damage by avoiding the need for tight straps on the nCPAP interface. Instead of using nasal prongs to fit tightly in the nares, the prongs fit the holes in the Cannulaide dressing while the Cannulaide forms the seal with the patient’s skin.

The EveNeo ventilator (MEDACX Ltd).

Ireland’s national neonatal transport programme

The national neonatal transport programme in Ireland handles approximately 620 transfers each year, serving a population of 4.25 million. Some areas in Ireland are up to six hours’ drive from the nearest hospital so air transport is vital to provide access to specialist, critical care. The programme needed a versatile, unique design for a single, retractable trolley that could be used in a variety of situations.

The versatile trolley that will help save babies’ lives

ParAid, a specialist in patient handling transportation, has designed a bespoke intensive care trolley to enable more newborn babies access to emergency care across Ireland.

After three years in development, the Transporter+ Elevating Trolley has been designed to meet strict criteria and operate in very demanding environments. Ultimately, the trolley will help the Dublin-based neonatal transport service save more infant lives.

With no standardisation for emergency transport across the world, this new trolley has been created specifically for the Irish market and will serve the whole of Ireland.

The new trolley will transport critical care neonatal patients only, supporting circa 50-60 air transports per year, of which approximately 15-20% will involve travel overseas (mostly to the UK). It has been developed to fit all ambulance designs – both now and in the future – as well as all of the aircraft used for neonatal transfers throughout Ireland.

The ParAid Transporter+ Elevating Trolley.

The product design specification has been a collaborative project involving ParAid, the Air Corps, the Ambulance Service, clinical engineers and paediatric specialists. Steve Jinks, Product Development Manager at ParAid, comments: “We specialise in designing and building complex transport trollies to support critically-ill babies. It is testament to the collaborative approach taken to developing its design and functionality that we have been able to create such a unique and complex trolley that will help to save young lives in Ireland for many years to come.”