AYZH's Janma Clean Delivery Birth Kit

Project Description:

In India, women frequently deliver their children in unsanitary conditions do to insufficient access to health facilities. Doing so contributes to postpartum infection in both mother and child. The appropriate use of inexpensive yet vital medical equipment can dramatically improve the health outcome for all involved. In response to this need, AYZH produces and distributes their Janma Clean Delivery Birth Kit with the following items:

• A sterile surface.
• Sterilizing hand wipes.
• Clamps for the umbilical cord.
• Scalpel blade and handle for cutting the umbilical cord.

The stainless steel handle included in the kit is the most expensive component. It is also a traditional scalpel handle, intended for repeat sterilization and reuse. Unfortunately, in many locations where the kit is needed and used, the handle is not appropriately sterilized between uses. In response to both of these issues, AYZH and Catapult are designing a scalpel that meets the following criteria:

• Less expensive.
• Discourages reuse.
• Branded with the AYZH logo.
• Is biodegradable (preferred).

Client: AYZH, India

AYZH is a social venture looking through the eyes of women to identify the tools they want and need to help improve their standard of living. AYZH serves the needs of impoverished women worldwide by bringing them affordable appropriate technologies that increase income and/or improve health.

Thank You:

Catapult thanks the team of D2M Inc., a Silicon Valley product engineering firm, for printing the scalpel prototypes at their offices in Mountain View, CA.