Ezytherm

Ezytherm is a solar-powered digital contact thermometer with colour-coded display and audio feedback designed specifically to detect early temperature instability in preterm infants – one of the most vulnerable patient populations in neonatal care. The project was conceived from the pressing global challenge of neonatal mortality, where temperature instability and infection remain major contributors to the deaths of over 1 million newborns annually, with preterm babies at the highest risk due to their underdeveloped immune systems. In many low-resource settings, caregivers rely on conventional thermometers that lack intuitive guidance and require training to interpret results correctly. This gap in accessible, user-friendly temperature monitoring inspired the creation of Ezytherm.

The design philosophy behind Ezytherm blends biomedical engineering principles and embedded systems engineering with practical usability for mothers at home and clinicians in neonatal units. The device integrates an accurate digital temperature sensor, an ATmega328P microcontroller, and a colour-coded RGB OLED display that immediately communicates temperature state – normal, caution, hyperthermia and hypothermia – without demanding medical expertise. High-temperature conditions trigger audio alerts – alerts in local Ghanaian languages – ensuring caregivers do not miss subtle but clinically important changes. A 4-layer PCB architecture improves noise immunity, stability, and miniaturization, enabling a compact device suitable for frequent, gentle use on preterm babies. The system is powered by a rechargeable Lithium – Polymer battery with a solar panel, extending accessibility to regions with unreliable power supply.

Ezytherm emerged from a motivation to merge embedded systems innovation with equitable healthcare delivery. Preterm infants lose heat faster than full-term babies, and delays in detecting these temperature variations can quickly escalate to life-threatening outcomes. By offering a simple, intuitive thermometer enhanced with intuitive feedback, Ezytherm seeks to empower mothers, reduce caregiver anxiety, and support clinicians with more consistent temperature tracking between visits. Beyond its technical components, the project represents a commitment to designing medical technologies that meet the real needs of underserved communities without compromising accuracy, safety, or ease of use. Ezytherm stands as a step toward ensuring that early detection tools are not limited by geographical or socioeconomic boundaries but are accessible to every baby who needs them.