This device is intended for the treatment of infant jaundice. Neonatal jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the white part of the eyes and skin in a newborn baby due to high bilirubin levels and occurs in over half of newborns in the first week following birth. The therapeutic device proposed can treat this desease using phototherapy.
Phototherapy refers to the use of light to convert bilirubin molecules in the body into water soluble isomers that can be excreted by the body. In our device blue light from LEDs (460-490 nm) is used to irradiate the baby both from the top and from the bottom at the same time, having a more rapid and efficient treatment. Meanwhile also a temperature control is provided, that allows certain LED arrays to be turned in case of increased temperatures, this lowers the heat production while continuing with the therapy. The temperature is measured near the abdomen and must be between 36.5-37.5 °C to ensure a safe treatment.