A multidisciplinary team at Politecnico di Milano in Italy has developed BAMBI (Balloon Against Maternal BleedIng), a low-cost medical device designed to stop postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)—a leading cause of maternal death in low-resource regions. The device is now entering clinical trials, marking a critical step toward global deployment.
The concept originated with gynecologist Alberto Zanini, who witnessed the devastating impact of PPH during volunteer work in Africa and Southeast Asia. He partnered with researchers from Politecnico di Milano’s Departments of Chemistry, Mechanics, and Design to engineer a solution that could be safely used even in facilities lacking specialized personnel.
BAMBI’s design centers on simplicity, affordability, and mechanical efficiency. The kit includes a rectal probe, a probe cover, and a saline bag with a clamp. In the event of uterine bleeding, the probe is inserted into the uterus and inflated via the cover, forming a balloon that halts blood loss from within. A patented connector ensures safe assembly and intuitive operation, even by non-experts. Printed and video instructions are included to support rapid deployment in emergency settings.
Usability testing confirmed that BAMBI can be assembled and applied correctly by both medical and nonmedical personnel. This is vital for regions where trained professionals may be scarce. The device’s estimated production cost is just $5, thanks to injection molding plans supported by MUSA – Spoke 3 funding under Italy’s NRRP initiative.
Press Release: Stopping Postnatal Haemorrhages: The BAMBI Medical Device from the Politecnico di Milano
Abstract in Scientific Reports: A novel low-cost uterine balloon tamponade kit to tackle maternal mortality in low-resource settings
