Hyperbilirubinemia monitor measures the output of the lamps used in phototherapy, before patient treatment takes place, to ensure accurate dosing
Hyperbilirubinemia (jaundice) is one of the most common problems encountered in newborn babies.
It is caused by a higher than normal amount of bilirubin (a breakdown product of hemoglobin) in the blood.
The aim of hyperbilirubinemia treatment is to counter high bilirubin concentrations that may result in kernicterus, a type of brain damage that causes, among other problems, athetoid cerebral palsy and hearing loss.
Phototherapy remains an effective therapeutic intervention for decreasing bilirubin concentrations.
Specific wavelengths of light are used in phototherapy; these are absorbed by the baby's skin.
As the light is absorbed, the toxic, fat soluble bilirubin in the baby's body is changed into another harmless water soluble form of the molecule that can be easily excreted in the stool and urine.
The effectiveness of phototherapy is related to the area of skin exposed, the radiant energy and the wavelengths of the light used.
Verification of prescribed phototherapeutic treatment levels has become increasingly important as the number and variety of hyperbilirubinemia therapy systems has expanded.
The variables of lamp aging and patient distance from the lamp head can cause significant uncertainty in the resulting dosage.
Able introduces a new Specialist Series hyperbilirubinemia monitor as measurement tool to verify the output of the lamps, before patient treatment takes place.
If the blue light output is too high, potential problems such as burns, retinal damage, thermoregulatory instability and other physical symptoms may occur.
If the optimal power output range is too low, the treatment would lose potency and effectiveness, thus prolonging the symptoms and need for treatment.
The IL Specialist Series hyperbilirubinemia monitor directly measures the exposure level in the patient plane to ensure accurate dosimetry.
The detector is filtered to accept the 425-475nm action spectrum and is available with either of the standard calibrations in mW/cm2 or uW/cm2/nm.
The meter has a measurement range of 1-1999.9uW/cm2/nm.
Readings are taken using a single button and the meter has an auto shutoff function to preserve battery life. Each system is individually calibrated to internationally traceable standards.
