EtCO2 Monitoring System - Affordable
Capnography for Safer Surgery
About
In many low- and middle-income countries, patients undergo surgery without access to continuous EtCO2 monitoring — a global standard that detects breathing problems and prevents anesthesia-related deaths.
Our project is creating a low-cost, portable, and easy-to-use monitoring system with reusable components and built-in training, delivering the same life-saving insights as expensive systems at a fraction of the cost.
Team
Dr. Jonathan Oster (PI)
Dr. Wei (Co-PI)
Dr. Longtin (Engineering, Co-PI)
Grad Students: Shiffoni S., Alisa, Nick
Why It Matters
- Millions of patients in LMICs undergo surgery without EtCO2 monitoring
- Lack of access leads to preventable complications and deaths
- $500M+ global capnography market; 143M LMIC surgeries yearly without monitoring
How Might We
How might we bring safe, continuous EtCO2 monitoring, the global standard in anesthesia, to low-resource hospitals where it’s currently unavailable?
Elevator Pitch
A low-cost (<$50), open-source EtCO2 monitor that is portable, reusable, and easy to train on — bringing lifesaving respiratory monitoring to millions of patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
Stage: Build
Prototype & Pilot Development
How B&B Can Help
Beyond funding, we seek:
● Mentorship and partnerships with LMIC clinicians and health leaders
● Additional pilot sites for real-world validation