Professor Brian Mundo

Lightweight Infant CarrierBiomedical Engineering

We thank Dr. John Cavanaugh for his support and mentorship during

this project. Partial project support was funded by the National

Institute of Health (NIH).

Opportunity and SignificanceMothers specifically have demonstrated medical conditions

caused by increased musculoskeletal force and fatigue.1The

current car seat carrier is one of the main contributing factors to

this problem. A lightweight infant carrier as a lightweight solution

is necessary to address this problem.

Technical Approach, Accomplishments and Results

Next Steps for Development and Test• Hard shell material- lighter/sturdier option

• Varying sizes to account for >1 year olds

• Car seat capabilities

• Crash testing

• Customer feedback: survey

• Next stage prototype development with final

material selectionTechnical ObjectivesThe user, also referred as the caregiver of the infant, needs an

independent, safe, lightweight, portable infant carrier compatible

with strollers and shopping carts in order to alleviate the fatigue

experienced due to carrying infants up to the 95th percentile.

Functional Requirements:

• Cannot contribute to muscle fatigue in the person handling the

carrier

• Hold a 95 percentile infant up to one year of age

• Does not impede current function of the car seat

• Convenient to place infant in and remove from the car seat

• Minimize the physical manipulation of an infant

• Cannot cause discomfort, pain nor inflict an injury on the infant

Performance Requirements:

• Priced at approximately $100

• Lightweight at 5.5 lbs

• Use of a sturdy and durable material that withstands 178 N3

• Can withstand temperatures of up to 172 degrees Fahrenheit4

• Optimal infant body posture for maximum oxygenation5

Interface Requirements:

• Compatible with top three carrier brands: Graco, Chicco, and

Britax7

• Compatible with a standard shopping cart

• Compatible with standard stroller

• Compatibility of insert material, car seat, and carrier to avoid

degradation of any material

• Easy to install within current infant carrier/car seat devices

• Cannot cause dermatitis of any kind

• Washable/completely removable

Related Work and State of Practice

Commercialization Plan & PartnersThe team is currently working with Dr. Shamaya Creagh

who first introduced the problem of extraneous stress on

caregivers while transporting infants during the Winter

2016 semester.

Challenges

• Building a brand to sell this product would require

identifying a manufacturer

• Competitive marketplace

• Extensive regulations and approvals necessary

To commercialize the product we plan to pursue a

licensing deal with the top three carrier brands: Graco,

Chicco, and Britax. This approach would produce profit

without taking on the risk that producing our device

ourselves would have, and the license can be shared

with many different brands.

ReferencesSanders, M.J. and T. Morse, The ergonomics of caring for children: an exploratory study. AJOT: American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2005. 59: p. 285+.Zabransky, Siegfried. "Birth Weight Percentiles: An International Comparison." Caring for Children Born Small for Gestational Age (2013): 45-53. Web.Ben-Joseph, Elana Pearl. "Car Seat Safety." KidsHealth. The Nemours Foundation, Sept. 2014.Shayna. "How Hot Can the Interior of a Car Get – and How Quickly?" HeatKills. N.p., 12 Nov. 2015. Web.Kornhauser Cerar, L., et al., A Comparison of Respiratory Patterns in Healthy Term Infants Placed in Car Safety Seats and Beds. Pediatrics, 2009. 124(3): p. E396-e402."Baby Carriers." Babies"R"Us. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Sept. 2016."Best Infant Car Seats of 2016." BabyList. N.p., 1 June 2016. Web.Ghali, Fred E. "‘‘Car Seat Dermatitis’’: A Newly Described Form of Contact Dermatitis." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 May 2011."PRP Manufacturing." Products. PRP Manufacturing Process Ruber & Plastics Pty Ltd, n.d. Web. Amazon. "112 Piece Rubber Anti-Skid Pad Value Pack." Furniture and Floor Protectors. N.p., n.d. Web. Joann Fabrics. "VELCRO® Brand Industrial Strength Tape." Sewing and Quilting Supplies. N.p., n.d. Web. DuPont. "A Thermoplastic Elastomer Engineered for Versatile Performance." Thermoplastic Elastomer. N.p., n.d. Web. Indiana Mills. "Child Restraints - IMMI." IMMI. Child Restraints, n.d. Web. "Cloth-Backed Foam - Remay - 70" Wide." Foam Distributing. N.p., n.d. Web. Joann Fabrics. "Dritz Parachute Buckle For 2" Strap Black." Sewing Supplies. N.p., n.d. Web. Foam Factory. "Poly Round Bolsters." Foam Distributing. N.p., n.d. Web. Category, Fibre Glast. "Fiberglass." Developments Corporation. N.p., n.d. Web. “Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Carriages and Strollers,” ASTM Standard F833-15, in Annual Book of Standards, vol. 15.11.“Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Hand-Held Infant Carriers,” ASTM Standard F2050-16, in Annual Book of Standards, vol. 15.11.More et al., “Comfort Analysis of Passenger Car Vehicle Seat,” International Journal of Engineering Science and Innovative Technology, vol. 4, issue 4. July 2015.“Test Method for Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test,” ASTM Standard D3359-09, in Annual Book of Standards, vol. 6.01.“Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Sling Carriers,” ASTM Standard F2907-15, in Annual Book of Standards, vol. 15.21."Fiberglass Raw Material." McMaster-Carr. N.p., n.d. Web.

Tannia Rodriguez, Almasa Omerovic, Hamad Mirza