Testing Infant Products
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LABORATORY MEASUREMENTS
CONSULTING
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
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Airflow
Firmness
Carbon Dioxide Rebreathing
Our Services
Laboratory Measurements
Laboratory Measurements
Laboratory Measurements
Our testing lab is equipped to evaluate airflow, firmness and carbon dioxide rebreathing in a range of infant products
Consultation
Laboratory Measurements
Laboratory Measurements
We provide testing and guidance to manufacturers as new infant products are developed to meet safety requirements
Product Development
Laboratory Measurements
Product Development
Materials and composites used in infant products can be evaluated for their effect on infant respiration.
Advanced Research
Laboratory Measurements
Product Development
We develop advanced testing instruments to measure and model the effects of infant products on respiration.
Engineering Measurements
Airflow
CO2 Rebreathing
Firmness
Our test lab uses a universal infant face probe at a force of 10 Newtons (2.2 pounds) and a flow rate of 2 LPM. Pressure differential across the bedding sample is a measure of airflow resistance.
Firmness
CO2 Rebreathing
Firmness
Flat infant products like mattresses can be tested using the industry-standard Firmness Tester. Other products are tested for force vs. displacement using the universal infant face probe.
CO2 Rebreathing
CO2 Rebreathing
CO2 Rebreathing
A breathing machine is used to simulate infant respiration. Carbon dioxide gas is metered into the lungs to simulate infant CO2 generation and CO2 the breathing circuit is measured using a CO2 analyzer.
from: Austrailia's Best Practice Guide (Reference 5)
Respiration
Respiration is initiated by the downward movement of the diaphragm. This movement generates negative pressure inside the chest. As air is drawn in, the ribs expand passively. Infants can suffocate if there is an obstruction (partial or complete) to diaphragmatic movement, air inflow or chest wall expansion.
Respiration is controlled by biofeedback loops that respond primarily to a rise in carbon dioxide levels.
Suffocation
Suffocation refers to deprivation of oxygen entering the body whereas asphyxia refers to deprivation of oxygen being delivered to the tissues. The causes of suffocation and asphyxia are largely the same, except that asphyxia can be caused by stopping blood flow (which delivers oxygen) independently of respiration (which replenishes oxygen supply).
Circulation
Circulation of blood requires squeezing and refilling of the heart and unimpeded flow to all organs but especially the brain (which controls vital body functions). Blood circulation can be impaired due to rises in intrathoracic (chest cavity) or abdominal pressure or occlusion of arteries that feed organs (high pressure) or veins that drain organs (low pressure). Occlusion of cerebral blood flow (through direct occlusion of neck arteries) results in rapid unconsciousness
and cessation of vital functions.