Breastfeeding Exclusive September 2017 - Bassinet Project Update
Current bassinets used in hospitals are not designed for mothers to use. The pain points shown contribute to risk.
The Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute is excited to announce the Couplet Care Bassinet.TM The name of this medical device derives from the clinical approach of serving the health needs of new mothers and their infants together.
There is a clear and urgent need for innovation with hospital bassinets. Clinical bassinets in the US, and in most hospitals globally, consistent of an acrylic tub on a wheeled cart. These basinets were developed for providers caring for infants in a nursery, rather than being designed for mothers to use. Mother-infant rooming-in is now the standard of healthcare, but existing bassinets do not sufficiently accommodate new families’ needs. They are currently an access barrier, which contribute to maternal discomfort, distress, and more difficult and less frequent breastfeeding.
The Couplet Care BassinetTM will positively shift maternity care, for immediate change and with scale-up and implementation support to establish a better approach for generations to come.
The bassinet is now patent pending and the prototype is being manufactured. The interdisciplinary UNC investigators thanks the excellent contributions made by North Carolina State University College of Design faculty and graduate students, and the local industrial design firm Trig Innovation. The CGBI team is also appreciative of the regulatory, legal, and entrepreneurial guidance from highly-skilled professionals across the Triangle area of North Carolina and beyond.
Dr. Kristin Tully
The North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute-funded phase of this work is on track. Clinician feedback is being obtained from healthcare providers at North Carolina Women’s Hospital. In the next few months, the team will be seeking patient perspectives for design refinement. Dr. Tully is exploring mechanisms for multi-site trials and is preparing for licensing talks.
CGBI is honored to offer the Couplet Care BassinetTM to better serve the 4 million women who birth in the US each year. The bassinet will also be available for birthing facilities globally. For additional information or to communicate interest, please contact Kristin.Tully@unc.edu
