Rowa Hamdan / Physics / Faculty Mentor: Liping Tang
Preterm infants, born before 37 weeks of gestation, often require continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for respiratory support. However, CPAP nasal prongs can exert pressure on the nasal septum, leading to complications such as columella erosion, which affects 20-60% of preterm infants. The risk is higher due to weaker skin barriers, prolonged ventilation needs, and the absence of protective bone or cartilage in the nasal structures. Despite existing mitigation strategies, such as alternating between prongs and masks, there is a lack of comprehensive studies examining how prongs mechanically interact with preterm nasal anatomy. This study investigates the mechanical forces exerted by CPAP nasal prongs on preterm infants’ nasal structures using 3D models derived from MRI scans and stress-strain simulations. The hypothesis is that the narrow, soft nasal canals of preterm infants increase susceptibility to pinching and pressure injuries, particularly at the septum. Nasal prongs were modeled using SolidWorks, while 3D Slicer was used to segment neonatal MRI scans for anatomical accuracy. Simulations analyze the extent of pressure-induced deformation and potential injury sites. Findings from this study aim to improve CPAP interface designs and neonatal care practices, reducing the risk of nasal trauma in preterm infants.
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