Philips and Duke University School of Nursing are planning to trial a new remote monitoring technology for premature babies. The study will rely on Philips’ FDA-cleared InnerSense device, a feeding tube that also doubles as a core temperature sensor, to monitor the infants for signs of hypothermia. The tube connects to a Philips bedside monitor.

“Monitoring core temperature is critical for caregivers in helping to reduce mortality and morbidity among infants,” Michael Mancuso, CEO of Patient Care and Monitoring Solutions, a division of Philips Healthcare, said in a statement.

According to Philips, infants with a birth weight under 1,500 grams often lack the ability to regulate their own body heat during their first 24 hours of life, and can succumb to hypothermia as a result. InnerSense measures esophageal temperature, which studies have proven is a more accurate, more precise, more responsive, and more reliable surrogate for core (peripheral artery) temperature than are rectal, axillary, or skin temperatures.

Data from devices and apps made by Fitbit, iHealth, Jawbone, Moves, RunKeeper, Strava and Withings can now be correlated and visualized against blood glucose readings.A total of 160 infants will be included in the trial, with the study group using the tube sensor for their first 24 hours of life.The two-year study, which will begin in January, will included nurses at Duke evaluating the effectiveness of the InnerSense feeding tube sensor for preventing infant heat loss while also providing information to physicians that could affect treatment decisions. A total of 160 infants will be included in the trial, with the study group using the tube sensor for their first 24 hours of life. Both groups will also have their temperature taken at the armpit at admission and after 1, 4, and 8 hours.

“With this study, we hope to demonstrate how continuous, real-time temperature monitoring can provide clinicians with a wealth of information on the infant’s body temperature, helping to prevent hypothermia and provide optimal care,” lead researcher Robin Knobel told MobiHealthNews in an email.