Low-Income Pre-eclampsia Treament
Kampala, Uganda
The Problem
In Uganda, preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal death, yet hospitals lack affordable infusion pumps, forcing nurses to manually deliver life-saving magnesium sulfate treatments in a time-consuming and painful process. There is a critical need for a low-cost, reliable device that ensures precise, 20-minute delivery to improve patient safety and ease the burden on overworked healthcare staff.
The Solution
To address this challenge, our team developed a low-cost, automated syringe pump built from locally available materials. The device uses a 3D-printed lead screw mechanism powered by a stepper motor to deliver magnesium sulfate over a precise 20-minute interval, removing the need for manual dosing. The electronics are centered around simple LEDs and button controls to ensure ease of use with minimal training. Lightweight and portable, the pump can attach directly to a patient’s arm with a washable cushion and Velcro strap, enabling safe administration even in crowded hospitals where beds are scarce
Context
In summer 2024, I spent over two months in Kampala, Uganda collaborating with students from Makerere University to design low-cost medical equipment for local hospitals. Through hospital visits and practitioner interviews, our team identified postpartum preeclampsia treatment as a critical challenge in need of innovative solutions.
Actuation - stepper motor and lead screw
old prototype (made in UG)
new prototype (made in US)
Mounting: Unique patient-mounted design seamlessly integrates into nurse workflows, requiring minimal training and enabling safe infusions anywhere—even in crowded hospitals where patients are often treated without beds.
Personal Contribution - electronics
The electronics are built around an Arduino microcontroller with a battery module, NEMA 14 stepper motor, three LED status indicators, and two switch inputs— all locally sourced in Uganda. Currently in the United States, I am developing a more interactive user interface and custom PCB to further improve usability and integration.
Posters and Presentations
Summer 2024
Spring 2025
Summer 2025 Team
Fall 2024 Team
Spring 2025 Team