VS Patch Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
VS Patch: A wireless, multiparameter newborn monitoring system for resuscitation at birth
IRAS ID
331800
Contact name
Don Sharkey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
Approximately 10% of newborns require help with adapting to life outside the womb at birth. Providing this assistance using international guidelines based on the latest medical evidence has been shown to improve survival and reduce disability. Delivering the best possible care in the first 5 to 10 minutes of life requires a complex approach involving rapid, accurate and reliable monitoring of heart rate, blood oxygen levels and temperature. Applying each piece of monitoring equipment separately and waiting for the devices to provide an accurate reading takes time, delaying crucial information. This equipment is also typically wired and thus can cause physical disruption during the process of monitoring.\n\nThis research study will test a new wireless monitoring device (VS Patch) which can measure heart rate, blood oxygen levels and temperature in newborn babies at delivery. All of the sensors which are required for these measurements are present on this single device which can be placed directly on to the babies’ chest. Information from the device is sent wirelessly to a monitor through a electronic module, avoiding cables trailing from the baby to the monitor.\n\nThe study will involve recruiting newborn babies from labour wards and babies admitted to the neonatal unit and measuring their heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and temperature for up to one hour using the new device. The same measurements will also be taken using the devices which are currently being used in these areas so that a comparison can be made. Once the monitoring is completed, the equipment will be removed from the babies and they will have no further involvement in the study.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
24/NS/0085
Date of REC Opinion
25 Aug 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion