How is a phototherapy incubator used?

A phototherapy incubator is a specialized medical team that provides optimal conditions for the care of newborns who are not prepared for extrauterine life, and who suffer neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, clinical picture that leads to a condition known neonatal jaundice. This type of incubators have units of phototherapies, equipment composed by specialized lamps that allow to apply light therapy to treat hyperbilirubinemia, in addition to provide life support, isolate and provide heat to newborns.

Jaundice is the yellowing of skin and mucous membranes caused by the accumulation or deposition of bilirubin. In newborns it is a condition that can cause neuronal damage, when there are excessive amounts of bilirubin, which can produce permanent neurological sequelae in the patient. That is why this pathological condition should be prevented by maintaining safe levels of bilirubin in the blood, being phototherapy one of the most used techniques for this purpose.

What is phototherapy?

Phototherapy is a methodology in which light radiation is used to treat excessive elevation of bilirubin in newborns. Through this technique the transformation of bilirubin into water-soluble photoisomers is achieved thanks to the effect of light on bilirubin, which can be more easily excreted by feces and urine, without the need to conjugate in the liver.

There are several types of phototherapies according to the maximum wavelength produced by light. Therefore, specialized blue fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, halogen bulbs or LED lamps are used, depending on the case. Fluorescent tubes have Plexiglas protections to filter out any ultraviolet radiation, they do not emit dangerous levels of infrared radiation. While tungsten-halogen bulbs emit broad spectrum light, thus emitting ultraviolet radiation and radiation in the near infrared, which at high levels can damage the eyes and skin, so these bulbs must include internal filters and reflectors to reduce harmful radiation. LED bulbs emit a blue light that does not raise temperature or emit ultraviolet radiation.

How to use the phototherapy incubator?

Before starting phototherapy it is good to check the operation of the incubator lamp, checking that it has not exceeded the maximum number of hours of use recommended by the manufacturer. In order to maximize the exposure area, the baby should be stripped naked and a small diaper attached. No body cream or oil should be used in order to avoid burns or skin lesions.

The bulb should be placed horizontally between 20 and 30 centimeters from the child’s chest, keeping the light perpendicular. To prevent ulcers or lesions on the child’s skin, posture changes should be made every three hours, preventing bilirubin from reaching toxic levels that can cause permanent brain damage in the newborn and other complications that could cause high bilirubin.

Types of phototherapy an incubator can offer

Simple, standard or conventional phototherapy: using 8-10 ìW/cm2/nm radiation emitted by a lamp with fluorescent tubes, two white and four blue.
Intermittent phototherapy: as the name suggests, it works with light exposure cycles and rest cycles. The lamps used for standard phototherapy are used.
Dual or intensive phototherapy: uses radiation greater than 30 ìW/cm2/nm and uses lamps with six blue tubes.

What do we offer you in Kalstein?

At Kalstein we are MANUFACTURERS of medical equipment of the highest quality and at the best PRICES in the market, so you can make your purchase with us in a safe way and have the confidence to have the support of a company highly specialized in the field. This time we present our phototherapy incubator YR02185. This equipment maintains the appropriate environmental conditions for a newborn with the temperature practically controlled in the NICU. Widely applicable in all hospitals and clinics and optimized for premature deliveries or for some term sick babies. Among its characteristics we can mention:

The microprocessor servocontroller ensures precise and reliable temperature control
Set temperature, monitored air temperature and heating power are distinguished on the display.
Self-check function for affirmative safety.
Audible and visible alarm indications for multiple faults with 3 priorities
Chord alarm notes feed to more than 8 meters, but leave the baby asleep without interruption.
Aluminum structure to maintain a constant temperature.
Drawer type water tank is easily removable for cleaning and disinfection.
Natural air circulation system.
RS-232 connector

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