The Seattle-based “Program for Appropriate Technology in Health” (PATH) is advancing a safety management system based on a platform called FoneAstra. This system leverages mobile phones to precisely monitor flash-heat pasteurization of donor breast milk. The system was originally designed to use in the home but is now being used to treat babies in South Africa. The goal is to evaluate the FoneAstra system to use in resource-limited countries.
FoneAstra components include a mobile phone, a USB cable and bridge, a glass jar, and a temperature sensor probe. These items are paired with simple pasteurization equipment, a freezer, a pot, and a heat source.
PATH has worked closely with the University of Washington’s Departments of Computer Science and Engineering and Human Centered Design and Engineering to develop a novel USB bridge to connect the phone and temperature probe.
FoneAstra software gives simple audio and visual instructions for safe pasteurization and transmits the data wirelessly to a server for reports and review. At this point, supervisors are able to access server’s web portal to generate reports.
PATH is continuing to assess and validate FoneAstra and if it proves to be effective, PATH anticipates that the technology will be adapted for other health purposes such as monitoring vaccine refrigerator temperatures. PATH will also be working to commercialize the technology to ensure its sustainability.
PATH has received support and funding for the project from private foundations and individual donors to the Health Innovation Portfolio at PATH, the University of Washington, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Grand Challenges Explorations initiative, and a research grant through the National Science Foundation.
For more information, email Kiersten Israel-Ballard at kisrael-ballard@path.org.