POD - Phototherapy Device for Neonatal Care Unit

Phototherapy incubator for neonatal care units.

Teresa Evan - Winter 2020

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PHOTOTHERAPY. Jaundice is caused by high levels of bilirubin in the blood.

By shining a special light on the baby's skin, the bilirubin molecules in the skin absorb the energy of the light wave.

This breaks down the bilirubin and lowers the levels.

Jaundice affects 3 out of 5 babies born.

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PROBLEMS OF PHOTOTHERAPY...

Phototherapy is maximized by the amount of skin showing, meaning newborns are stripped of their clothing and placed into these devices..

Phototherapy can last upward of 3 to 7 days. This is time where there is almost no contact with parents.

Babies can roll around since they are uncovered and not swaddled on bed.

Babies tend to be uncomfortable, cry, or scream while receiving phototherapy.

They are out in the open, not swaddled which causes lots of stress.

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DESIGN OPPORTUNITY The opportunity to provide a less stressful phototherapy experience for newborns. This is time that should be spent being held by their mother with skin to skin contact. Prolong separation has drastic effects on newborns and parents. Without phototherapy, the results of Jaundice are death or severe future difficulty of life.

GOALS Mimic cradling and swaddling Limit light loss Easy to clean and sterile surfaces Intuitive for nurses to use Sanitary from baby to baby

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DESIGN IDEATION. Different concepts were explored for the inside of the device where the newborn would lay. Exploring through vacuum formed surfaces to mesh and alternative materials.

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FURTHER EXPLORATION After exploring where the newborn would lay and mock ups were made, a closer look at the main device was taken. Then leading into cad iterations.

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MOTHER & CHILD.

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DOME. Typical phototherapy devices have a lot of light loss. To combat this issue. Pod’s dome has a one way mirror coating on the inside to focus the light back down onto the newborn, this still allows workers and parents to see the infant.

Ease of use for the nurses, the dome has spring loaded damping hinge. Allowing the dome to open on its own.

Drawer, is also a push to open. This allows for ease of cleaning.

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HAMMOCK. The infant is placed onto a soft-durable mesh netting. This is to mimic a mothers caress.

Under the baby is a mirror coated tray to reflect light back up at the infant. The tray is removable for cleaning purposes.

Each mesh netting is unique to an infant for sterile purposes. A nurse can use the pull tab to easily remove the white ring that is holding the mesh.

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ROCKER. One of the unique features of this phototherapy device is a built in rocker that mimics the calm swaying of a mother’s hold

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CONTROLS. All controls are conveniently located on the touch screen.

This is where the light and stand can be moved up and down, as well as the controls for the rocker.

The screen allows for quick updates, ease of cleaning, and is movable for viewing at all times.

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LAMP. Each infant is unique depending on the amount of phototherapy and length needed. The lamp’s height is adjustable. It cannot exceed 12 inches from the infant, or come closer than 10 cm.

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END RESULT : A re-imagined phototherapy device for neonatal care units that limits the duress a newborn endures while receiving treatment and being away from their mother for prolong periods of time.

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