Challenge
When newborns require care directly after birth, medical convention prescribes to cut the umbilical cord immediately after birth, to provide urgent care, taking the baby away from its mother. However, scientific research shows that clamping the umbilical cord before a baby is breathing, causes a “shock” in the baby’s blood flow; a dangerous drop in heart rate and blood oxygen levels, increasing the risk of injury to its organs, especially the brains and intestines.
Opportunity
1 in 10 babies is having problems at birth. Around the world this affects over 35.000 newborns, and their families, every day. Most of these babies are born premature, some experience asphyxia or other problems. Birth complications are the leading cause of death among children under 5 years of age, responsible for over 1 million deaths every year. Of the babies who survive, over 40% have mild to severe handicaps. The Concord Birth Flow reduces the risk of complications at birth, preventing long term disabilities and may even prevent the loss of life.
Solution
Scientists from Leiden University Medical Center developed a new way of working to give babies a “shock free birth”, allowing the neonatal caregiver to provide lifesaving care with the umbilical cord intact, up to the moment it is breathing on its own. Key to this new workflow, the Concord Birth Flow®, is the Concord Birth Trolley®, a new treatment platform with a patented slot for the umbilical cord, to keep the baby close to mom, even with a short umbilical cord connected. The baby gets maximum benefit from the blood from the placenta, up to the moment it is breathing on its own.
Status
Patent protection has been filed in relevant worldwide countries for differentiating elements of the invention. Promising results of the first clinical trials have been published. The new Concord Birth Trolley achieved CE marking in September 2019 and the first product implementations have been completed, initially focusing on all Dutch NICUs who participate in clinical trials. Concord Neonatal® is now working on expanding sales nationally and internationally. Having the best possible care in the fist minutes of life should be a birth right for every baby.
Let’s get birth right!
Meet the team
Alex Vernooij
CTO and Co-inventor
Nerea Grisalena
Product Engineer
Rianne Rotink
CEO
