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A Nigerian and Product Design Engineering graduate from the University of Derby in the United Kingdom, Miss Jaiyeola Oduyoye, has created a Mobile Medical Battery Back up system that aids the growth of surgeries taking place in developing countries.

The invention was part of Oduyoye’s final year project. An abstract of the report noted: “The topic of this project report is Investigation into surgical conditions in developing countries. The scope of the project was researching into the conditions and the issues; this project report uses embodiment processes in both 2D and 3D environments. Conclusions reached are that the product is viable in real world situations with the resources available.

“The issue under investigation is the lack of unreliable power supply in developing countries and relief camps for emergency surgeries. This project report fully develops the design concepts from the research stage, taking the concepts developed through embodiment processes such as sketches, engineering drawings and prototyping.

“The project report clearly outlines the prototype stages as well justifications for changes made to the design as well as the full description of the final design. The material selection, manufacturing processes and costings are also outlined in the project report.

“The final solution was a mobile medical battery back-up system that aids the growth of surgeries taking place in developing countries. It was developed for countries that have difficulty accessing uninterruptible power supplies. It has smooth flat surfaces so it’s easy to be cleaned and unlikely to trap dirt. It contains lithium ion battery packs that have 60 charge cycles and produces a power output enough to provide power for critical machines during surgeries. The battery packs are available for switch and replace. The product is completely adaptable to many situations.”

Oduyoye said: “I was able to create a product, mobile medical battery backup system, that provides temporary backup electricity to operate in theatres in developing countries, countries that have difficulty in accessing 24/7 electricity and so they are able to perform these surgeries in-country, rather than fly people out, just perform basic surgeries here.”

On what inform the research, she said: “When I started my degree and when I was doing my research for my final project. I really wanted to help, help my country and help other people that are in need. So I thought the best way would be to do a medical product. So I just went on the World Health Organisation website to just look for issues that they have discovered and one of the issues was lack of surgeries being taking place in these developing countries. I decided to name it Neva, but that is subject to change, it can be changed, the name of the product is not my priority. The product is completely adaptable to many situations.”

Miss Jayeola also said the innovative system is designed to dramatically transform battery management for any portable point-of-care technology, including mobile workstations, vital signs monitors and EKG monitors, and meet strict agency safety standards. She added that the battery system enables uninterrupted workflow by eliminating the time intensive and onerous tasks previously associated with battery management, ensuring that nurses and other healthcare professionals can now dedicate additional focus to patient care.