A bedside interface device (SID) for newborns will help isolate them from sudden accelerations and decelerations of the ambulance in the event of a crash.

Developed by the University of the City of Birmingham (UK) and Evac + Chair International (Birmingham, UK), the SID was designed to withstand collisions at speeds up to 65 km / h. In addition, it will include a rapid fastening and release mechanism for coupling and disengaging oxygen, energy and other survival instruments in the event of a road traffic incident, allowing newborns to be moved quickly to another ambulance.

SID and neonatal equipment can be securely attached to European Ambulance Loading Beds (EALS) and similar stretchers in other markets around the world, complementing the existing range of products and services offered by Evac + Chair International under The ParAid brand. ParAid already includes an award-winning child restraint system (ACR) consisting of a flexible and fully adjustable harness system for the safe and effective transportation of infants and children.

The major challenge in this project will be the development of a stretcher interface device with impact-resistant attachment points and ports for oxygen, energy and other survivability supplies located around what encapsulates the newborn” “Said Panch Suntharalingam, PhD, University of the City of Birmingham. “For the product to be desirable, it must be compatible with any European ambulance car, so this adds an additional complication, since the variation in emergency vehicles and their components differs in Europe.”

“Working with Birmingham City University will enable us to develop innovative, high-quality products to complement our range of specialist patient and victim management teams,” said Ges Wallace, CEO of Evac + Chair International.

In the USA, there were an average of 1,500 car accidents per year between 1992 and 2011, resulting in 2,600 disabled people; 29% of the deaths caused in these incidents were passengers.