Little lungs breathe easier thanks to Melbourne neonatal nurse

Neonatal intensive care nurse Seona Emanuelli has developed a nasal cannula that can be secured to tiny babies’ faces, overcoming the common problems and risks associated with premature and sick babies relying on regular cannulas.

Underdeveloped lungs mean that premature babies need pressure and oxygen supplied by ventilators in hospital neonatal intensive care and special care nurseries.

Combining 20-plus years’ clinical experience with the expertise of Australian healthcare engineering and manufacturing, Seona developed the Bidibots nasal cannula, which is available in six sizes for infants weighing less than 500 g through to 6 kg.

“Using current CPAP [continuous positive airway pressure] cannulas is problematic for these fragile babies and their delicate skin as they can cause nasal trauma, such as sores and cracked skin, which can lead to infections and even corrective surgery further down the track,” Seona said. “It’s also tricky for neonatal nurses to position and fit the traditional cannulas, and the current system relies on a hat to secure the cannula which can also add risks and difficulties to position babies.”

The patented device has taken nearly 10 years to research, design and test, but is now approved for use in Australia and worldwide. The Bidibots nasal cannula can securely fit to a baby’s individual needs, with an adjustable bridge at the front of the device to prevent pressure being applied to the nose.

The Bidibots nasal cannula is available in six sizes for infants weighing less than 500 g through to 6 kg.

“We hope to see this nasal cannula used in all Australian neonatal intensive care and special care units, extending its opportunity across the world,” Seona said.

Each year in Australia, 48,000 premature or sick babies are admitted into neonatal intensive and special care nurseries, with CPAP acting as the primary respiratory support for babies in this setting.

The neonatal cannula is Seona’s second product invention specifically for premature babies — in 2003 she launched Bidibots nappies, designed to fit babies weighing as little as 500–750 g to provide optimal hip positioning without causing skin irritation. Seona qualified as a sick children’s nurse in the United Kingdom before moving to Australia, where she has worked in the neonatal departments at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, St Vincent’s Private Hospital Melbourne and Mercy Hospital for Women. She is also a neonatal nurse educator and is currently undertaking her thesis in research. In 2021, Seona joined the Board of Life’s Little Treasures Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that provides support and information to families of premature and sick babies, as well as raising community awareness and funding.

Top image caption: Neonatal intensive care nurse Seona Emanuelli developed the Bidibots nasal cannula to overcome the problems and risks associated with premature and sick babies relying on regular cannulas.