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

Abstract

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.