Safesnip.jpg
FA info icon.svg Angle down icon.svg Medical equipment data
Health topic Child mortality
Maternal mortality
Health classification Preventative
FA info icon.svg Angle down icon.svg Project data
Location Louisiana, United States
Status Clinical trial
OKH Manifest Download

Problem being addressed[edit | edit source]

Many infections result from improper umbilical cord care and wound treatment, especially in regions such as southeast Asia and Africa where home births are common. The SafeSnip device makes umbilical cord disposal safer, easier, and more sanitary.

Detailed description of the solution[edit | edit source]

SafeSnip is a three-inch plastic disposable and degradable device that cuts, seals, and disinfects umbilical cords in a simple, one-step procedure. SafeSnip breaks in to two after being used to cut the cord such that one half of the device remains clamped onto the baby's umbilical cord to seal the wound while the other can be discarded. Its symmetric design and multiple safety features minimize misuse and shorten the delivery process. It would also retail for under $1, offering an inexpensive yet effective means for safe umbilical cord severance in developing nations.

Designed by[edit | edit source]

  • Designed by: Graduate students at Tulane University (William Kethman, Bryan Molter, Stephanie Roberts and Mark Young) as well an Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, David Rice.
  • Production: It is now being manufactured by NOvate Medical Technologies, LLC.
  • Manufacturing: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

When and where it was tested/implemented[edit | edit source]

This device was tested in 2008.

Funding Sources[edit | edit source]

  • National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance ($500)
  • NOvate Medical Technologies
  • Tulane University
  • Wal-Mart Foundation ($5000)
  • Bill and Melinda Gates Goundation/Saving Lives at Birth ($250,000)

References[edit | edit source]

Internally generated reports[edit | edit source]

Brannon, K. (2009). Students' Invention Aids Safe Childbirth. Link available here.

Externally generated reports[edit | edit source]

NOvate: Cutting the Cord. (n.d.). Wake Forest Elevator Competition. Retrieved December 26, 2012.

SafeSnip: cuts, clamps, and shields umbilical cords from infection. (2012, May 16). Saving Lives at Birth: A Grand Challenge for Development. Retrieved December 26, 2012.

SafeSnip. (n.d.). Maternal and Neonatal Directed Assessment of Technology. Retrieved December 26, 2012. Link available here.

SafeSnip for umbilical cord. (2011). Maternova.

IP and copyright[edit | edit source]

The patent belongs to William Kethman, Bryan Molter, Stephanie Roberts, Mark Young, and David Rice of Tulane University.

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Part of Global Health Medical Device Compendium
SDG SDG03 Good health and well-being, SDG09 Industry innovation and infrastructure
Authors Eva Shiu
License CC-BY-SA-3.0
Language English (en)
Related 0 subpages, 1 pages link here
Impact 433 page views
Created February 8, 2012 by Eva Shiu
Modified November 23, 2022 by Irene Delgado
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