Global Healing

Phototherapy Light Meter A Global Need
Phototherapy is internationally recognized as the firstline treatment for bilirubinemia. While it has received attention recently, most efforts have been invested in creating low-cost technologies that can therapeutically treat newborns in the developing world. Engineers and technicians responsible for the maintenance of the phototherapy lights still lack tools to measure irradiance. Commerically, these units cost more than $2,000 - an unfeasible amount for a hospital in a resource-poor setting. Global Healing has developed a validation instrument for tube-based phototherapy lights and is distributing them free of charge.

Technical Specifications
The meters have been standardized against an Olympic Medical Bili light meter and a F20T12 BB Bililights bulb. It had an average of 4.5 SD μW/cm2/nm with a standard deviation of ±0.33 μW/cm2/nm. They allow technicians and medical professionals to measure the amount of light being given off in the blue spectrum (430-490 nm), the therapeutic band of visible light. The light sensors on the meter have filters that also block infrared interference. These meters are intended to be used to validate irradiance of tube-based phototherapy lights.

Free of Charge
Global Healing is giving away 1,000 meters free of charge to hospitals in the developing world who have phototherapy lights. We prefer to send multiple units to a central organization responsible for in-country distribution to minimize the cost of shipping. Ministries of health and American nonprofits are encouraged to apply on behalf of their project sites.

To Apply for a Phototherapy Light Meter