Premature birth is a global health issue, with approximately 15 million preterm births occurring each year, accounting for about 10% of all newborns. Tragically, around 1 million of these babies die due to complications related to their early arrival. Many who survive face long-term challenges such as learning disabilities, vision or hearing impairments, and other developmental issues. As a result, preterm birth has become the leading cause of newborn deaths worldwide, with the majority of cases occurring in low-resource countries.
Inspired by this urgent need, Ravid Koriat Barkan, a graduate from the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, set out to make a difference. During her studies, she became deeply aware of the challenges faced by premature infants and their caregivers. Her motivation led her to design a groundbreaking solution: FEEDER, a 3D-printed device aimed at improving the process of collecting, storing, and feeding breast milk to newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
FEEDER was developed as part of her industrial design research project, utilizing PolyJet multi-material 3D printing technology from Stratasys. The system consists of a bottle and a syringe, allowing caregivers to precisely control the amount of milk given to the baby—a critical factor in their growth and development. The device can be used to directly feed breast milk to the infant or connect to a feeding tube for more controlled administration.
Through extensive research, Koriat interviewed parents, nurses, and hospital administrators in Israeli NICUs to better understand the needs of both caregivers and patients. This insight helped shape the final design, which combines 3D-printed components made from various materials—transparent VeroClear, soft TangoPlus, and durable VeroCyan and VeroYellow. The result is a functional, user-friendly system that closely resembles a finished product.
Koriat’s work not only highlights the potential of 3D printing in healthcare but also demonstrates how thoughtful design can lead to life-changing innovations. By addressing a real-world problem with creativity and precision, she shows that 3D printing isn’t just about technology—it’s about human impact. With continued support and development, FEEDER could one day become a standard tool in neonatal care, offering hope and better outcomes for thousands of babies worldwide.
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