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INOCER

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Jemima Heard
October 29, 2020
Inside:
Interviews

We caught up with founder, Tolga, to find out more about the product, INOCER, and their time on the SimDH programme.

A white man with brown hair and thick-framed glasses looks into the camera. Around his neck is an LSBU lanyard. He wears a grey t-shirt that can be seen in the corner of the frame. Behind him lies a paediatric simulation dummy of a baby, lying on a steel cot. The cot is painted dark blue and green. The dummy is being monitored by a smartphone using a clamp attached to the cot. A lamp hangs off the wall, over the dummy, but is currently switched off. Behind the dummy is the rest of the mock-ward: Sinks, dispensers for soap and paper towels, curtains, white walls and power supplies.
Inocer Founder, Tolga, looks into the camera whilst on LSBU's Mock Ward.

How did you find the problem that this innovation addresses?

The neonatal period is the most vulnerable time for a child’s survival. Approximately 10% of newborns stays in the NICUs to analyse their cardiac and respiratory status during the transition to extrauterine environment. We should monitor the preterm infants in NICUs for apnea because of the high prevalence of apnea in this group of patients

Pulse oximetry, impedance pneumography and ECG-based cardiac monitors are common methods for the cardiorespiratory monitoring of neonates and infants.

A Neo-Natal Nurse in blue scrubs adjusts cardio ECG Monitors whilst caring for her peadiatric patient. A new born baby lies next to her in a small cost, swaddled in cloth and protected by pillows. The picture shows the array of medical equipment that is used on NICU (Neonatal ICU) wards to keep vitals monitored and controlled. A total of four screens can be seen, each displaying different clinical visuals.
Photo from usa.phillips.com shows a neonatal nurse and cardio-ECG monitors. Current cardio-respiratory monitors with certain contacts can cause stress for patients, false alarms, and can even lead to delayed resuscitation attempts.

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Current cardio-respiratory monitors with the mechanical or conductive contacts cause stress for the patients. False positive alarms caused by the displacement of sensors seriously worry families and healthcare professionals.

A simulation dummy lies on a cot in LSBU's Mock Ward. The bars of the cot are down - which would allow clinicians better access to the child on a real ward in case of emergency or to carry out procedures. The simulation dummy lies on clean white sheets and has two teddies his head. Behind the dummy is a sink, complete with soap and paper towel dispensers. In the background is a blue curtain, which wards use to give patients and their families privacy as needed. In the foreground of the image is a silver and black laptop, showing Inocer's interface in use.
Inocer's NeoMove during testing

Situations such as motion artifacts, ineffective tissue perfusion and lack of the sensors, reduce the reliability of current monitors. Time delay in the perception of signals is another important problem that will even cause delay in resuscitation. Unfortunately, almost none of the current monitors provides the reliable data on the breathing pattern. The clinical use of impedance pneumographs for this purpose is extremely limited.

Current monitors used for respiratory and cardiac monitoring of neonates and infants do not provide direct information about respiratory pattern and respiratory pauses. Besides that, they are causing stressful monitoring. The healthcare professionals and families often struggle with false positive alarms caused by the removal of sensors, this can even lead to resuscitation delays.

Our AI based non-contact monitoring system, named NeoMove provides clinically reliable data superior to current monitors. This system also provides remote control and data sharing with the health professionals, will overcome the above deficiencies of current monitors.

When did you begin working on the SimDH programme?

November 2019.

What have you achieved so far?

We've developed an AI algorithm; performed video capturing for trials at SimDH’s laboratory environment. Got 1-on-1 support from SimDH’s programme management and mentors. And we've contacted clinics for engagement.

Lady in a dark green hijab stands next to a paediatric simulation dummy. The dummy is in a cot with dark blue and green bars. The cot is on LSBU's mock ward. In the background, other simulation dummies can be seen on the ward, as well as medical equipment, screens, Inocer's NeoMove interface is seen on a laptop behind the lady.
Inocer's Sara Erol (Associate Professor) inside LSBU's mock ward

What has been a challenge / what obstacles have you encountered?

It is hard to find a clinical partner to engage within our area. Also COVID-19 pandemic has caused us to stop interactions with potential partners and investors.

What are the benefits to working with SimDH for you?

SimDH has a great team, thanks to George Boorman and SBI, as well as Matt Kuppers as our mentor. You have great facilities for innovative digital health simulations as well.

I strongly recommend to join SimDH to ones with an innovative idea in digital health domain.

Do you have an innovative idea that'll help people live healthier lives, make care safer, or save resources within the health and social care system? Find out how SimDH can help you.

Find out more about Inocer via their website.

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