Antonius Mulder professor

Research Antonius Mulder

Research team

Expertise

Fetal circulatory physiology Endothelial function in newborns Neonatal transition - Newborn Life Support Quality and Patient Safety in Health Care

Development of a NeoVOC sampling device for volatile compounds in ventilated neonates. 01/05/2026 - 30/04/2027

Abstract

Reliable breath sampling in (extremely) preterm neonates is clinically relevant yet technically challenging, as many patients require prolonged non-invasive respiratory support via nCPAP or NIPPV. Especially sampling of breath in these patients - which is considered a new innovative tool for diagnostics. Moreover, the continuous bias flow and pressure conditions dilute and disperse the exhaled fraction, meaning sampling today is often ad hoc and operator-dependent, difficult to standardise, and may involve unnecessary circuit manipulation—creating a bottleneck for reproducible, scalable breath analyses. This project develops NeoVOC: a passive, geometry-driven interface that controllably diverts a defined fraction of exhaled air to an external adsorption tube, without active components in the circuit and without disrupting non-invasive respiratory support. NeoVOC is implemented in two circuit-specific variants (nCPAP and NIPPV) to accurately capture differences in flow and pressure profiles. The technology starts at TRL 3 and targets TRL 4 within CREATE through systematic laboratory validation in a clinically relevant experimental setup. In CREATE, we translate optimised in-silico geometries into functional, reproducible prototypes via additive manufacturing, with an iterative focus on dimensional accuracy, assembly feasibility, and leak-tightness. In parallel, we conduct a structured screening and selection of low-VOC candidate materials for medical-device prototyping, focusing on low emissions in warm/humid conditions, sterilisation compatibility, and early alignment with regulatory material compliance. We validate controlled and reproducible breath diversion, sampling consistency and robustness to positioning/handling, and verify pressure stability and ventilation performance under representative nCPAP/NIPPV conditions. This is followed by a technical and design-based benchmark against the current sideport approach; VOC analysis is used solely to assess signal quality and reproducibility, without clinical interpretation. An early regulatory and quality screening de-risks design and material choices. From a commercial perspective, NeoVOC starts at CRL 2 and aims to progress towards CRL 4 during CREATE by consolidating and validating voice-of-customer input from UZA NICU through discussions with additional (including international) clinical centres, complemented by participation in the Deep Dive into Business programme. IP is prepared: patentability has been confirmed, and two patent applications (nCPAP and NIPPV) will be initiated during CREATE. After CREATE, the most suitable valorisation route will be selected based on de-risking outcomes and partner traction.

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  • Research Project

Exposure to plasticizers leaching from plastic medical devices in Neonatal Intensive Care and impact on the long-term neurocognitive and pulmonary development. 01/01/2021 - 31/12/2024

Abstract

- Phthalates (i.e. DEHP) and alternative plasticizers (APs) are used in plastics to increase their elasticity and extend their lifetime. - Leaching of plasticizers from indwelling medical devices used in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) might expose neonates to these chemicals at levels far exceeding tolerable daily dose recommendations. - Although awareness of these plasticizers is growing, they are still used in many (most) medical devices even in the NICU. - Premature neonates are extremely vulnerable to external insults. - This project aims to explore the utility of levels of plasticizers and their metabolites in a keratinous non-invasive matrix (hair) and in urine as a diagnostic tool for cumulative and past exposure in the neonatal intensive care unit. - The possibility that this matrix can detect past and cumulative exposure in this vulnerable population is a novel approach and is expected to provide fresh insights into the detection of past exposure to these chemicals. - The studied plasticizers have toxic effects on neuronal and pulmonary cells, as proven in in vitro and in vivo (animal and human) models. - Based on these pathophysiological effects, we hypothesize that exposure to these plasticizers during the NICU stay contributes to the long-lasting impaired (neurocognitive and lung) development that is frequently observed in neonates after discharge from NICU.

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  • Research Project

Exposure of premature neonates to bisphenol A and phthalates at the intensive care unit: accumulation in hair and long-term neurodevelopmentel and pulmonary toxicity. 01/11/2019 - 31/10/2023

Abstract

- Premature neonates are extremely vulnerable to external insults. - Bisphenol A and phthalates (DEHP) are plasticizers, used in soft plastics to increase their elasticity and extend their lifetime. - Leaching of plasticizers from indwelling medical devices used in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) might expose neonates to these chemicals at levels far exceeding tolerable daily dose recommendations. - Although awareness of these plasticizers is growing, they are still used in many medical devices in NICU. They are prohibited in the production of toys intended for children under 3 years of age, but legislation about their use in medical devices isn't strict or clear. - The studied plasticizers have toxic effects on neuronal and pulmonary cells, as proven in in vitro and in vivo (animal and human) models. - This project aims to explore the utility of plasticizer levels in an emerging non-invasive matrix (hair) as a diagnostic tool for cumulative and past exposure in the neonatal intensive care unit. - The possibility that this matrix can detect past exposure in this vulnerable population is a novel approach and is expected to provide fresh insights into the detection of past exposure to chemicals. - Based on these pathophysiological effects, we hypothesize that exposure to these plasticizers during the NICU stay contributes to the long-lasting impaired (neurocognitive and lung) development that is frequently observed in neonates after discharge from NICU.

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  • Research Project

iNNOCENS: data driven clinical decision support for improved neonatal care. 01/05/2019 - 30/04/2020

Abstract

Analysis of patient related vital parameters generated in a continuous manner on a neonatal intensive care department offers the opportunity to develop computational models that can predict care-related complications. This project aims to develop a machine learning model that can predict acquired brain injury of prematurity. The model can than be implemented to generate bedside visualizations in the context of a self-learning digital early warning system.

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  • Research Project

Point-of-care testing for free bilirubin diagnosis (FREEBDX). 01/01/2019 - 31/12/2019

Abstract

This project seeks to develop a point-of-care test to measure free-bilirubin concentration in neonates. UA-PO and ams, an external partner, will translate a laboratory protocol to measure free bilirubin, developed at UA-UZA, into an appropriate setup for point-of-care testing. The setup will be benchmarked against the laboratory protocol in the UZA laboratory.

Researcher(s)

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  • Research Project