BiliLumen Phototherapy Lamp
A novel portable, compact, phototherapy unit for the treatment of jaundice in newborn babies.
problem
Existing phototherapy systems for treating neonatal jaundice are often expensive and inaccessible, particularly in developing countries. With jaundice affecting approximately 70% of newborns, many hospitals and clinics struggle to provide adequate treatment. Current devices, such as overhead lamps, require additional infrastructure and only treat one side of the baby at a time, while more effective biliblankets are costly and complex to manufacture. This gap in accessibility and affordability highlighted the need for a more efficient and cost-effective solution.
solution
Through extensive research into medical guidelines and existing devices, I developed a phototherapy light that provides even coverage by emitting light from both the top and bottom, reducing treatment time. The device features adjustable intensity levels for mild and severe jaundice and an integrated timer for ease of use. By applying design engineering principles and leveraging insights from the research, I created a solution that is not only effective but also affordable, with an estimated cost of $400—far lower than traditional systems priced at $2000. This project demonstrates how thoughtful design can improve healthcare accessibility, ensuring more newborns receive the treatment they need.
story
The idea for this project began with a simple observation: existing phototherapy systems for treating neonatal jaundice are expensive and often inaccessible, particularly in developing countries. With jaundice affecting approximately 70% of newborns, I saw an opportunity to design a more cost-effective and efficient solution that could improve access to proper treatment.
Research started with an in-depth analysis of current phototherapy devices on the market. Most existing systems function as overhead lamps, requiring additional infrastructure for mounting and only illuminating one side of the baby at a time. While biliblankets provide more comprehensive light coverage, they are costly and complex to manufacture. I studied medical guidelines on effective jaundice treatment, identifying optimal light intensity, wavelengths, and exposure duration to ensure my design would meet medical standards.
With a solid understanding of the problem, I moved into the development phase. Drawing from my experience in design engineering and my internship at Whistle Design, I adapted their design methodology to create a medical product. The goal was to develop a device that not only met functional requirements but was also intuitive to use and affordable.
After several iterations and prototypes, the final design emerged: a phototherapy light that shines from both the top and bottom, ensuring even coverage and reducing treatment time. The device features two intensity levels to treat mild and severe jaundice and an integrated timer for ease of use. Most importantly, the projected cost is approximately $400—significantly lower than existing systems priced at $2000.
This project highlights the potential of thoughtful design in improving healthcare accessibility. By addressing both cost and usability challenges, this phototherapy light could make a significant impact in neonatal care, particularly in resource-limited settings, ensuring that more newborns receive the treatment they need.
The BiliLumen prototype turned on.
The top array LED panel on the BiliLumen prototype.
The control panel of the BiliLumen prototype.
