Detection of Atelectasis or Pneumothorax and Resolution With Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) in Newborn Infants

To quantify the changes in regional lung air content associated with the variations of the respiratory support settings, the following approach will be used. The changes in local air content will be determined in the selected EIT region of interest (ROI) in terms of a change in local average lung density and relative impedance change with respect to a reference air content.

• TimePeriod 1 (t1): The reference lung air content will be measured once the asymmetric lung disease is identified on chest x-ray.
• TimePeriod 2 (t2): A post-lung disease EIT measurement will be obtained at 6-24 hours later or immediately after clinical therapy (i.e. chest tube placement or needle decompression), whichever occurs first.

Eligible infants with confirmed asymmetric lung disease (atelectasis or pneumothorax) by radiographic images requiring no respiratory support or on mechanical support or nCPAP therapy of 5-8 cm H20 achieved with a ventilator, an underwater "bubble" system, or a variable-flow device will be enrolled. All of these methods of providing the therapy are done with FDA approved devices currently used in the NICU.

EIT data will be acquired using The LuMon Monitor-Neo, GUI software 1.0.x.x/TIC software 1.6.x.xxx (SenTec, Landquart, Switzerland). The EIT system will be placed at the subject's bedside to collect EIT measurements: Ventilation distribution%, changes in regional aeration in arbitrary units (AU), dependent and non-dependent silent spaces.

A data acquisition cart will also be placed at the subject's bedside to collect hemodynamic and respiratory parameters measurements including: Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), transcutaneous carbon dioxide (TcCO2), and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) via bedside monitoring devices.

The LuMon belts for neonates are disposable single-patient use belts that are adhesive-free and consists of 32 electrodes which are sized to the infant's chest circumference, generally at the 4th - 6th rib. Warmed NeoContactAgent (ingredients: Aqua, Glycerol, Sodium chloride) will be applied to the belt before placing on the infant. The embedded position sensor permits the LuMon System to measure and display the patient's position. The soft and expandable closure band prevents the chest from being constrained by the belt and, consequently, prevents restrictions to breathing and increased work of breathing.

EIT measurements and data will be collected on each timeperiods (t1 and t2) for approximately 15-30 minutes on invasive or non-invasive ventilatory support.

The EIT measurements may be repeated on an eligible participant if a reoccurrence of a confirmed asymmetric lung disease, atelectasis or pneumothorax, is identified on a radiographic image.

EIT is currently not used for patient care management at SMBHWN. EIT's use for patient care management is purely experimental. EIT, when used solely for physiologic data collection, its use is not subject to 21 CFR 50, 21 CFR 56, or 21 CFR 812. Data collection via EIT will occur when the subject is in a quiet, sleeping state, and can be accomplished in a convenient time period when care givers or parents are not interacting with the subject.

Primary analyses compare EIT-derived ventilation distribution metrics between t1 and t2, including % unventilated lung and indices of ventilation inhomogeneity (e.g., GI). Analyses will also be reported overall and, where sample size permits, stratified by radiographic diagnosis (atelectasis vs pneumothorax).

Inclusion criteria

• All infants admitted to the NICU at SMBHWN
• Informed consent obtained
• Atelectasis confirmed on CXR
• Pneumothorax confirmed on CXR

Exclusion criteria

• Declined consent
• Infants with known congenital anomalies