Leland Stanford Junior University

Hendrik J Vreman

David K Stevenson

Daniel S Seidman

A phototherapy garment contains a flexible backing material, a transparent liner, and a flexible printed circuit sheet containing surface-mounted light-emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned between the backing material and the liner. An infant is placed inside the garment so that the LEDs illuminate a large portion of the infant's skin for phototherapy. The LEDs preferably emit high-intensity blue light, suitable for treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia or Crigler-Najjar syndrome. The LEDs are arranged in a densely packed array facing the liner and emit uniform, high intensity light. A power supply, which may be portable, supplies adjustable power to the LEDs, preferably pulsed with a duty cycle of approximately 10%, and preferably to overdrive the LEDs to maximize light output. A two-way communications device incorporated into the garment allows a physician or computer to control the garment remotely and gather relevant information periodically or continuously. The garment may also contain a feedback system with skin bilirubin sensors, so that the intensity level and duration of light therapy can be based on bilirubin in the skin, which is a reflection of the newborn's serum bilirubin concentration. The garment can be of any type, including sacs, hats, sweaters, jackets, and rompers, and is lightweight and portable, allowing an infant to be treated at home, in the hospital, or when in transit. The garment provides high light intensity over a larger surface area of the newborn than allowed with existing techniques, thus providing very efficient phototherapy.

Phototherapy of jaundiced newborns using garments containing semiconductor light-emitting devices

A device is provided for treating a circadian rhythm disorder in a subject. The device includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED's), preferably blue to green; a mounting to which the LED's are connected: a material for positioning the LED's within 3 cm of the subject, with an orientation toward the subject; a portable power supply electrically connected to the LED's; and a control connected to the LED's for altering the operation of the LED's. The device is sufficiently light and compact to be comfortably worn by the subject. One or more such devices are used to deliver light to a subject's retinas, to the subject's vascular tissue, or simultaneously to both the retinas and the vascular tissue. For illumination of the retina, small chip-type LED's are integrated into the frames of eyeglasses and positioned to direct light into the eyes of the subject. For illumination of the vascular tissue, an array of lens or chip type LED's are contained in a casing that is secured against the skin of the subject. The devices can be used independently of each other, or can be used in combination for more effective and/or flexible treatment.

Devices for treating circadian rhythm disorders using LED's

Apparatus for use in a hospital nursery, clinic, or physician's office for the sampling and analysis of neonatal end-tidal breath for carbon monoxide as an indication of hemolysis and subsequent infant jaundice includes a syringe and plunger for collecting end-tidal breath, a pump for supporting the syringe and including drive means for incrementally withdrawing the plunger and collecting end tidal breath, and a controller for the pump including a thermistor positionable to respond to the temperature of exhaled breath and generating an electrical signal in response to thermistor temperature. A rate detector receives the signal and determines exhalation rate. The signal is delayed in response to exhalation rate and then utilized to energize the pump in incrementally withdrawing the plunger in collecting end tidal breath. The pump can also be used in analysis equipment which extracts the end tidal breath sample with a sensor receiving the sample and determining carbon monoxide content. Alternatively, separate pumps can be employed for the sample collection and for the sample analysis.

Neonatal hemolysis detection using end-tidal breath sampler and analyzer

A formulation for administration of a metalloporphyrin compound useful in the treatment or prevention of jaundice is described. The formulation comprises the metalloporphyrin in admixture with an excipient which is a water-soluble organic amine, said composition having been neutralized to neutral pH. The formulation may advantageously contain a stabilizer, such as human serum albumin.

Method to prevent neonatal jaundice with metalloporphyrin compositions

Disclosed herein is an effective and safe method for preventing the onset of neonatal jaundice through the reduction of bilirubin production. This method can be applied to populations of infants based on mass screening procedures predictive of development of the disease. The most effective of these screening methods measures carbon monoxide production by the infants using a simple breath test.

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Los Altos, CA, United States of America

Hendrik J Vreman