THESIS'S PROPOSAL 2024/2025

1. Development of a System to Evaluate the Health Impacts of Beddings and Sleeping Environments for Newborns

Mattresses and beds for children can pose potential health risks to infants and young children, such as airway obstruction, the creation of confined spaces with insufficient air circulation leading to the re-inhalation of exhaled CO2, and the development of pressure sores on the head, particularly in neonatal intensive care units, where newborns may be immobilized by ventilation equipment. Various factors, including mattress materials, shapes, and environmental conditions, can either contribute to or mitigate these issues. Therefore, it is essential to develop a system capable of assessing the impact of mattresses and bedding on children’s health by accurately replicating the interaction between these elements. Currently, a testing setup is available that includes 3D-printed infant heads derived from MRI scans, a neonatal breathing simulator, and a series of sensors for monitoring respiratory flow, CO2 exchanged with the environment and contact forces. However, further advancements are needed to enhance the system’s capabilities. These include adding new sensors, optimizing existing code by centralizing it on a single microcontroller, developing graphical interfaces for monitoring all measured variables, and designing sensorized heads equipped with pressure, temperature, and humidity sensor arrays to assess these variables at the mattress interface. Students undertaking this thesis project will engage in activities such as studying sensor datasheets, writing firmware for sensor management, developing graphical interfaces for data visualization, designing electronic circuits and performing soldering, designing chambers and connectors using CAD software with 3D printing, integrating actuators like heaters and humidifiers with appropriate control systems, and conducting measurements with the developed system to evaluate mattresses. 

The expected duration of the thesis is between 10 and 14 months, depending on the student’s level of commitment and the inherent unpredictability of experimental work. Students will be required to carry out most of their activities in the laboratory, as these tasks necessitate the use of equipment and hardware available only on-site. Additionally, working in the laboratory will enable them to interact directly with tutors and colleagues, fostering collaboration and teamwork. 

For further information about this project, please contact: chiara.veneroni@polimi.it, matteo2.mentasti@mail.polimi.it. 

2. Development of a Mechanical Ventilation System Based on Surface Electromyography of the Diaphragm for Preterm Infants

Prematurity, defined as birth before the 37th week of gestation, is a critical issue in neonatal health. Being born too early disrupts the normal maturation of vital organs, particularly the lungs, often leading to severe complications. Preterm infants face a much higher risk of respiratory problems compared to full-term infants. These include conditions like Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome (iRDS) and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), which frequently require mechanical ventilation (MV) to support breathing. For preterm infants, MV must not only provide effective respiratory support but also synchronize with the infant’s spontaneous breathing to avoid unnecessary strain and complications. Most ventilators currently rely on flow and pressure sensors to detect the infant’s respiratory effort. However, these methods can be inaccurate due to factors like air leaks in the circuit or changes in the mechanical properties of the infant’s lungs. To address these issues, researchers in Toronto developed Neurally Adjusted Ventilator Assist (NAVA). NAVA uses signals from the diaphragm, the primary respiratory muscle, to control the ventilator. These signals are captured via a special esophageal catheter equipped with electrodes. While NAVA improves synchronization significantly, it has drawbacks: the catheter is invasive, expensive, works only with specific ventilators, and increases the risk of infection.

This raises a key research question: how can we achieve the precision of NAVA while eliminating its invasiveness? This thesis explores the use of surface electromyography of the diaphragm as a non-invasive alternative for detecting spontaneous breathing in preterm infants. The objective is to develop and optimize a real-time system that uses surface electromyography signals to trigger mechanical ventilation, leveraging machine learning or traditional signal processing methods.

The thesis workflow includes four main steps: developing a real-time algorithm for signal processing, implementing basic hardware to run the algorithm in real-time, validating the system in vitro at Techres Lab, Politecnico di Milano, conducting a pilot clinical study in collaboration with Amsterdam UMC.  The expected duration of the thesis is between 10 and 14 months. Laboratory attendance is strongly recommended. Additionally, there may be opportunities to travel for short to medium periods as part of project activities or collaborations.

For further information, please contact Ilaria Girimonte at ilaria.girimonte@polimi.it.

OLD MASTER THESIS

  • Proof-of-Concept of a Built-In Oxygen Concentrator for a Novel Non-Invasive Mechanical Ventilator for Low-Resource Settings – 2022 – MERIGHI, GIOVANNI 
  • Development of a control unit and user interface for a novel mechanical ventilator specifically designed for use in low resource settings – 2022 – MONTANARINI, AURORA
  • Design and development of an experimental set-up for enabling lung function test by oscillometry in spontaneously breathing infants – 2022 – GOSHEN, DAVIDE
  • A novel E-nose device for diagnosing respiratory diseases – 2022 – TORQUATI, ANNALISA
  • A compact and wireless lung function test device for respiratory medicine – 2022 – CARRASSI, THOMAS 
  • Design and development of an experimental set-up for real-time VOCs analysis of exhaled breath –  2022 – PAPPOLLA, MARGHERITA
  • Proof of concept of a novel non-invasive respiratory support device for low resource settings – 2021 – BACCETTI, SARA; ABOU EL ATA, MOUTAZ
  • Non-invasive assessment of the upper airways’ modulation during breathing – 2021 – BARLETTA, NUNZIO
  • Novel approaches for bedside monitoring of upper airways patency in newborns during respiratory support – 2021 – BONOMI, BEATRICE
  • A novel closed-circuit mechanical ventilation system to assess lung mechanics during xenon synchrotron radiation imaging – 2021 – POLETTO, SOFIA
  • A novel device based on forced oscillation technique for tailoring intra-abdominal pressure during laparoscopy – 2021 – GIMIGNANI, VERONICA
  • A sensorized swimsuit for real time data monitoring in professional swimmers – 2021 – TOGNINALLI, FRANCESCO
  • Fetal breathing pattern in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: impact of different occlusion strategies, 2021 – BISTONI, TEO; CAPRILE, GIANMARCO
  • A sustainable deep learning approach for limbs’ detection in preterm infants depth images – 2021 – CACCIATORE, ALESSANDRO
  • Improving quality control of oscillometric diagnostic tests by a machine learning approach – 2020 – ACCIARITO, ANDREA
  • Oscillation mechanics during general anaesthesia : effect of lung recruitment manoeuvres and laparoscopic surgery – 2020 – VIGEVANI, SARA
  • An in-silico morphometric model of the respiratory system for simulating the dynamics of lung aeration at birth during respiratory support – 2020 – MANI, ELISA
  • Development of novel non-invasive intraoperative tools for the personalization of insufflation pressure in laparoscopy – 2020 – ZAID, MOHAMED
  • Effects of high frequency pressure oscillations during mechanical ventilation on gas exchange : a model study – 2020 – BANI, DANIELE
  • A new approach for the non-invasive evaluation of breathing over time in preterm new-borns receiving neurally adjust ventilatory assist – 2020 – MALERBA, GIORGIA; MARTANO, ELEONORA
  • Effects of a novel treatment on fetal lung pressure and breathing pattern monitored by a custom-made implantable device in an experimental model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia – 2020 – ROBBIANI, STEFANO
  • Effects of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist compared to conventional non-invasive ventilation on breathing pattern assessed by novel non-invasive tools – 2020 – MALFITANA, MARIA LAURA
  • A novel device for lung function test in horses – 2019 – PAGANINI, STEFANO; PALMISANO AVALLONE, MATTEO
  • A novel device for monitoring vocal doses and breathing pattern during singing – 2019 – CUNSOLO, FRANCESCA
  • A novel device for studying breathing pattern and neural control over the first days of life in preterm newborns requiring respiratory support – 2019 – MOREA, ORNELLA
  • An implantable device for monitoring foetal lung pressure in an experimental model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia – 2019 – TARANTINI, FRANCESCO; ROSSI, ALESSANDRO
  • Effects of bronchopulmonary dysplasia on respiratory control, mechanics and energetics in preterm newborns – 2018 – PAGANI, GIULIA
  • Assessment of airway smooth muscle contractility and mechanics in a model of prematurity – 2018 – GARINI, MATTEO; CROCI, MARCO
  • Development of a cost efficient, NIR based, wearable device for optomyography – 2018 – MAIO, FRANCESCO
  • Minimally invasive system for pulmonary drug delivery in newborns – 2018 – RIGNANESE, LUCA; RIGOLI, ALESSANDRO
  • Sensing technologies for flow, pressure and user commands on a handheld unit in a resuscitation device – 2017 – VAGLIO, GIANPAOLO
  • A new device for the management of respiratory support at birth – 2017 – DALLA GASPERINA, STEFANO; BIZZOTTO, DAVIDE
  • A new system for non-invasive lung function test in preterm newborn – 2017 – OTTAVIANI, VALERIA; AVANZI, SARA
  • Development of a device for measuring respiratory mechanics as a function of lung volume changes by the forced oscillation technique – 2017 – RAVAYNIA, PAOLO SHAYAN
  • New system for delivering personalized recruitment maneuvers in RDS – 2017 – ANDRIANI, GIORGIO
  • Validation of a new non-invasive mechanical ventilator with automatic tailoring of PEEP for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients – 2017 – CACCIATORE, SIMONA
  • Long term effects of prematurity on airway function bu oscillatory mechanic – 2016 – GALLI, DANIELE; BELLAROSA, MARA
  • Novel respiratory function tests for the evaluation of the sequel of postnatal steroids in prematurity – 2016 – LEPORI, MATTEO; AGAZZI, MONICA
  • Accurate measurements of lung mechanics in preterm newborns during respiratory support – 2016 – TOSSICI, MARTA
  • A novel device for non-invasive administration of pulmonary surfactant in preterm newborns – 2016 – VENTURA, LORENZO
  • Monitoraggio della tosse tramite l’analisi multiparametrica di segnali acquisiti da SmartWatch – 2016 – BERRETTA, GIULIO
  • Sviluppo e validazione di un dispositivo portatile per il monitoraggio dell’esposizione agli inquinanti atmosferici durante attività quotidiane – 2016 – CALO’, SIMONE
  • Computational fluid dynamic modeling for the optimization of surfactant delivery by pharyngeal atomization in preterm newborns – 2015 – BELLOTTI, GIORGIO
  • Sviluppo di un dispositivo per lo studio del reclutamento polmonare durante supporto respiratorio – 2015 – GINEX, SALVATORE; CAGNINELLI, CLAUDIO
  • Breathing pattern variability in preterm infants : the effect of caffeine withdrawal – 2015 – LIUNI, MARZIA
  • Design of a new function for mechanical ventilators to optimize PEEP in preterm infants – 2015 – BUSSI, AMEDEO
  • Relationships between respiratory system impedance and lung volume in obstructive and restrictive pediatric respiratory diseases – 2015 – FIORINI, ISABELLA MARGHERITA
  • An optimized breath synchronized device for improving pulmonary atomized drug delivery – 2015 – ARICI, LORENZO
  • Design and development of a device for the functional evaluation of newborns nervous system in clinical practice – 2015 – VIGANÒ, ALBERTO
  • Home monitoring of respiratory impedance in COPD patients : evaluation and optimization of an alert system – 2015 – SALAMINA, ROBERTO
  • A non invasive monitoring of breathing pattern variability in the neonatal intensive care unit – 2014 – BONIZZI, CHIARA
  • Assessment of frequency response of respiratory system in newborns during high frequency oscillatory ventilation – 2014 – PEREGO, MARTINA; MARCONI, LARA
  • An optimized wearable device for monitoring breathing pattern parameters in patients with chronic respiratory disorders – 2014 – GERVASONI, MATTIA
  • Design and implementation of an advanced setup for the assessment of sound propagation in patients affected by lung fibrosis – 2014 – MUNGIANU, PIERO ANDREA
  • An adaptive system for optimizing assisted ventilation and Recruitment Maneuvers – 2014 – EDANTIPPE, PIETRO; CARDANI, MATTEO
  • Design and development of a low cost wearable device for the daily monitoring of breathing pattern – 2014 – PERICO, STEFANIA
  • Design and implementation of a flow measuring system for the home monitoring of lung mechanics in patients with chronic diseases – 2014 – ROMANTINI, ANNALISA
  • Studio di fattibilità di un dispositivo a basso costo e ridotti consumi per l’acquisizione dei segnali ECG e respiratorio – 2014 – AGATI, LORIS
  • A new system to monitor changes of lung mechanics during resuscitation of newborns by FOT – 2013 – MOTTA, ALBERTO
  • Progettazione, sviluppo e test di un dispositivo microfluidico per la separazione cellulare tramite dielettroforesi – 2013 – SCORPINITI, ELEONORA
  • A new system for tailoring and monitoring mechanical ventilation by a wearable device at home – 2012 – VITO, DOMENICO
  • Progettazione e sviluppo di un dispositivo portatile per il monitoraggio della funzionalità respiratoria – 2012 – RAGOZZINO, FRANCESCO
  • Analysis of respiratory parameters in COPD patients monitored at home by a novel telemedicine system – 2012 – CENCI, IVAN
  • A new approach for noninvasive administration of surfactant in preterm newborns – 2012 – MACIS, ROBERTA
  • Long term variability of airway obstructions in asthma and the influence of air pollution – 2012 – GASPARINI, PAOLA
  • A new system based on laser interferometers and optical distantiometers for the assessment of the chest wall mechanics – 2011 – ROVERON, LUCA
  • Design and development of the instrumentation to control a novel atomic force microscope – 2010 – MARANGONI, SANDRO; NICOLOSI, ALESSANDRO
  • Analisi e caratterizzazione di un sensore ottico per strumentazione portatile di real-time PCR su lab-on-chip – 2010 – SOLORZANO POZO, JORGE ENRIQUE
  • Improving respiratory support of preterm newborns by bedside characterization of lung mechanics and respiratory control – 2021 – OTTAVIANI, VALERIA
  • New methods for monitoring lung function in preterm newborns to optimize ventilatory support – 2014 – VENERONI, CHIARA
  • A new laser self-mixing interferometer system for the assessment of the chest-wall mechanics – 2012 – MILESI, ILARIA
  • Development of new technologies for the home monitoring and treatment of patients with chronic respiratory disorders – 2012 – GOVONI, LEONARDO

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