Design and analysis of a solar powered phototherapy device

This study was carried out to design and construct a cost-effective and efficient solar-powered phototherapy device which can be implemented in areas where there are inadequate electricity and rural environment. Neonatal jaundice is the yellowish condition due to high-level bilirubin in a new born baby. This condition must be treated if the bilirubin level above 12 mg/dL. One of the common treatments is by using red and blue light phototherapy to convert bilirubin become more soluble in the water then easily excreted from the body. A microcontroller was used to regulate the radiation of light in the device and make it safe for the treatment of jaundice in a new baby. The device is powered by solar energy generated from the 24-volt monocrystalline solar panel, for charging deep cycle batteries via a charge controller. The wavelength of light is 460-490 nm with a minimum intensity of 30 μW/cm2. In this study, the phototherapy device is designed and tested. The red and blue light source consisted of thirty-six (36) high power Light emitting diode LED. Heat sink and fan are employed for the LED package cooling system. Solar power meter and spectrometer are used to analyze the intensity and wavelength produced by the LED. (paper)