Now, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a pacifier that can constantly monitor a baby’s electrolyte levels in real time, eliminating the need for repeated invasive blood draws.

Hong Yeo, associate professor and Harris Saunders Jr. Endowed Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, came up with the pacifier idea at a pediatric technology conference. Doctors described daily challenges they face in caring for sick newborns, and the lack of noninvasive monitoring systems.

“Physicians told me about the blood draw issue, which happens over and over again as babies sometimes have to stay in the NICU for weeks and even months,” said Yeo, who directs the Wearable Intelligent Systems and Healthcare Center (WISH Center) at the Institute for Matter and Systems.