When the umbilical clamp thinks for itself: :
AI project for early warning system after birth

The intelligent umbilical clamp is designed to enable routine monitoring of vital signs. The project partner is the Centre of Excellence for Information Technology at the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM) in Friedberg. Digital Minister Professor Dr Kristina Sinemus handed over a funding decision for almost 950,000 euros last week.

As a rule, routine monitoring of vital signs is only carried out on sick newborn babies. However, as this also makes sense for healthy babies, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, together with the Centre of Excellence for Information Technology at the Technical University of Central Hesse (THM) in Friedberg, is developing an AI-based early warning system using an intelligent - and wireless - umbilical clamp. This enables continuous monitoring and raises the alarm self-employed if the values are not in order. The "InNa - Intelligent Umbilical Clamp" project is being supported with almost 950,000 euros from the "Distr@l" program of the Hessian Ministry of Digital Affairs. Digital Minister Professor Dr Kristina Sinemus was informed about the project last week and presented the funding decision to paediatric cardiologist Professor Dr Jannos Siaplaouras and business informatics specialist Professor Dr Michael Guckert.

"With this funding, we are supporting an innovation that combines state-of-the-art AI technology with concrete medical benefits. Particularly against the backdrop of growing challenges in the health system, this project is an example of how digital solutions can relieve the burden on specialists and sustainably improve the quality of supervision. Hesse is thus sending a strong signal in favour of forward-looking research and innovative health care," said Digital Minister Sinemus.

After births, the umbilical cord is usually clamped with a plastic umbilical clamp. If the research team at Fulda University of Applied Sciences and THM have their way, an intelligent umbilical clamp will be used in future that not only serves to stop the flow of blood, but also provides valuable information about the child's well-being in the first few days after birth. The clamp is fitted with sensors that record diaphragmatic contractions and the pulse of the aorta and raise the alarm in the event of deviations. Until now, vital signs have only been monitored in sick newborns, but monitoring is an essential part of neonatology, explained Professor Siaplaouras. The use of a wired system for monitoring also currently makes it difficult to handle the infant.

A prototype of the intelligent umbilical clamp already exists. By the end of the project duration in September 2027, the researchers want to have validated and developed a clamp suitable for everyday use so that they can then launch it on the market as a spin-off from the university. Researchers will then become innovators.

In addition to permanent medical monitoring, the sensor system also includes a spatially defined area. If the baby leaves this area, an alarm is also triggered or helps with localisation should a medical alarm sound. The clamp also provides reliable protection against mix-ups of newborn babies.

"In view of the shortage of skilled staff and cost pressure in hospitals, the intelligent umbilical clamp has great potential to optimise the supervision of newborns and at the same time relieve the burden on staff," said Professor Guckert.

The interdisciplinary project consortium passes through the research groups of business informatics specialist and founding member of the Hessian Centre for Artificial Intelligence Professor Dr Michael Guckert (THM) and paediatric cardiologist Professor Dr Jannos Siaplaouras (Fulda University of Applied Sciences). This project combines many years of experience in the field of AI and knowledge of clinical applications to create a medical innovation for the benefit of newborn babies and to relieve the burden in everyday clinical practice.