Lassonde researcher partners with Studio1Labs to create vital infant-monitoring technology

Lassonde researcher is collaborating with industry partners to improve infant care.

Dr. Ebrahim Ghafar-Zadeh is using NSERC’s Engage Grant to develop monitoring technologies that aim to improve the quality of life in premature infants.

Though premature births may not pose as great a risk as they once did, up to 10% of worldwide births are premature and approximately 15% of those who survive still develop severe health issues. 

Respiratory irregularities are the first sign of a medical condition in preterm or regular term infants. Improvements in neonatal intensive care unit technology have been made, however, home monitoring still remains a challenge. 

Dr. Ghafar-Zadeh has collaborated with Studio1Labs Inc. to begin to meet this need with the Functional Bed Sheet, a monitoring system that can detect infants’ respiratory changes and other movements. This wireless technology is washable, non-invasive, safe and low cost. 

Dr. Ghafar-Zadeh is an Assistant Professor in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department at the Lassonde School of Engineering.