Instrumentation Solution for Premature Babies Non-Nutritive Sucking Measurements with Self-Test and Calibration Capabilities

The present paper presents a dual system that can be used to measure and generate non-nutritive sucking (NNS) signals. The NNS measurement is based on a pressure sensor that is pneumatically connected to a silicone pacifier. By its turn, the NNS stimulator is based on a miniature pump and valve unit that are operated by opposite phased signals to produce the pulsed pressure signal that is pneumatically applied to the silicone pacifier. The paper underlines some issues that are related with the calibration of the sensing and signal conditioning units due to the low-pressure measuring range that is required to analyze NNS signals. Some experimental results, obtained with real data from a premature baby, are used to confirm the correct operation of the proposed instrument.