Bambi Medical has been awarded a Eurostars grant of €500,000 to advance a groundbreaking solution for improving respiratory care in premature babies. Partnering with Fritz Stephan, a German ventilator manufacturer, this collaboration—dubbed the Prema-Vent project—aims to develop synchronized, natural breathing support that not only enhances the physical and neurological development of preterm infants but also reduces the risk of ventilator-induced lung conditions, such as Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD).

At the core of the solution is Bambi Medical’s innovative wireless Bambi Belt, capable of accurately measuring diaphragm muscle activity through diaphragmatic EMG (dEMG). This data will be translated in real-time into a breathing pattern that allows Fritz Stephan’s advanced ventilation systems to synchronize perfectly with the infant’s natural respiratory efforts. This approach has the potential to significantly shorten hospital stays and improve long-term outcomes for premature babies.

Premature births are a pressing healthcare challenge in Europe, with up to 500,000 babies born prematurely every year. Of these, around 130,000 require advanced respiratory support in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). Contributing factors such as rising lifestyle-related diseases and delayed parenthood have only intensified the need for innovative neonatal care solutions. Alarmingly, nearly 50% of surviving premature infants experience lifelong neurological and developmental impairments, underscoring the critical importance of interventions like Prema-Vent.

By merging state-of-the-art technology and clinical expertise, Bambi Medical and Fritz Stephan are striving to redefine neonatal respiratory care. The Prema-Vent project represents a significant step forward in improving the quality of life for premature babies and their families.