MEchatronic REspiratory System SImulator for Neonatal Applications (MERESSINA) project: a novel bioengineering goal

Rosa T Scaramuzzo,^1,2 Massimiliano Ciantelli,¹ Ilaria Baldoli,³ Lisa Bellanti,³ Marzia Gentile,¹ Francesca Cecchi,³ Emilio Sigali,¹ Selene Tognarelli,³ Paolo Ghirri,^1–4 Stefano Mazzoleni,³ Arianna Menciassi,³ Armando Cuttano,¹ Antonio Boldrini,^1–4 Cecilia Laschi,³ Paolo Dario<sup>3

1</sup>Centro di Formazione e Simulazione Neonatale "NINA," UO Neonatologia, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy; ²Istituto di Scienze della Vita, ³The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy; ⁴Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy

Abstract: Respiratory function is mandatory for extrauterine life, but is sometimes impaired in newborns due to prematurity, congenital malformations, or acquired pathologies. Mechanical ventilation is standard care, but long-term complications, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, are still largely reported. Therefore, continuous medical education is mandatory to correctly manage devices for assistance. Commercially available breathing function simulators are rarely suitable for the anatomical and physiological realities. The aim of this study is to develop a high-fidelity mechatronic simulator of neonatal airways and lungs for staff training and mechanical ventilator testing. The project is divided into three different phases: (1) a review study on respiratory physiology and pathophysiology and on already available single and multi-compartment models; (2) the prototyping phase; and (3) the on-field system validation.


Keywords: simulation, lung, newborn, continuous medical education, respiratory system