The children's automated respiration rate monitor (ChARM)
A call for technology to industry resulted in the development of an automated Respiration Rate (RR) monitor named the Children’s Automated Respiration Monitor (a.k.a. ChARM) which is a CE mark Class IIa medical device, that automatically detects the breathing rate of a child, helping care providers diagnose fast breathing, a key vital sign in diagnosing pneumonia.
It’s a first of its kind automated device and is specifically developed to more accurately and more easily assess a child’s respiratory rate. Its design supports use in under resourced areas such as in community and primary care. The device is easy to use, accurate (+/- 2 breaths) and robust in order to withstand harsh environmental conditions (IP54 rating, dust protected and protected against splashing water).
To accommodate the volumes of measurements, for instance within Primary Healthcare (PHC) facilities, where children that present themselves with signs, can easily range up to > 20 a day; the device is equipped with a rechargeable battery, that allows for 200 measurements at full charge.
Based on the WHO iMCI guidelines age group classification cut-off rates, the ChARM provides an additional qualitative (color coded) feedback, indicating the diagnosis of fast-breathing or not.