Intelligent Sensors and Monitoring System for Low-Cost Phototherapy Light for Jaundice Treatment.

• Main Authors: Cabacungan, Paul M, Oppus, Carlos, De Guzman, Jeremie E, Tangonan, Gregory L, Culaba, Ivan B, Cabacungan, Nerissa G
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2019
• Subjects: Phototherapy; neonatal jaundice; sensing and remote monitoring; irradiance and ambient temperature humidity; and neonatal care; Optics; Physics
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/physics-faculty-pubs/54; https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8836133?casa_token=EVybNu0n3TIAAAAA:ZQklhuUlEK_MgH3Phws9fqHemwT1E_5kIu7_a1Il4p1gkyapMw0DEp6Ko1prpKGacik_MYm0mX0
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

A prototype of a low-cost phototherapy light system (LPLS) was deployed by the Ateneo Innovation Center (AIC) at a public hospital in Metro Manila, Philippines. It underwent clinical investigation for two years under the supervision of licensed physicians in a public tertiary hospital. This paper presents the process of upgrading the LPLS in order to enhance capabilities and improve efficiency yet remain affordable. The following features were added: (1) a visual and auditory monitoring system in order to remotely oversee the infant from the nurse station; (2) an automation system that stores data about the device's light intensity and bulb temperature and records ambient humidity; (3) an alarm system that activates the warning lights if sensor readings are in critical level and if the bulbs need to be replaced; and (4) a time setting to manually set the time of operation and automatically turn-off the device as programmed The upgrades increased the system's cost but it remained cheaper than the ones commercially available. For deployment in remote or off-grid hospitals, the system was equipped with a solar-powering provision.