title: Neonatal phototherapy radiometers: current performance characteristics and future requirements.
abstract: Hand held radiometers provide a convenient means of monitoring the output of neonatal phototherapy treatment devices as part of planned programs of device maintenance and output monitoring. It was considered appropriate to determine the wavelength and angular response of a selection of such meters and compare their indicated values with that derived from spectral analysis of phototherapy light sources. This was undertaken using a Bentham DMc150 double grating spectroradiometer and a series of 10nm band pass optical filters in the range 400-640 nm used in conjunction with a fiber optic light source. Specific meters investigated included a GE Biliblanket Light Meter II, a NeoBLUE radiometer and a Bio-TEK radiometer 74345 device. Comparisons were made of measurements made using the hand held meters and the Bentham DMc 150 system for a range of neonatal phototherapy treatment devices. The use of such meters is discussed in relation to applicable equipment standards and recommendations of intensive phototherapy from clinical groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and a specification for a spectroradiometer based measurement system is proposed.
authors: Clinical Physics and Bioengineering, FM Building, University Hospital, Coventry CV2 2DX, United Kingdom. Electronic address: douglas.clarkson@uhcw.nhs.uk.
authors: Douglas McG
authors: DM
authors: Clarkson
authors: Clinical Physics and Bioengineering, University Hospital, Coventry CV2 2DX, United Kingdom.
authors: Ruth
authors: R
authors: Nicol
authors: Medical Equipment and Bioengineering Services, FM Building, University Hospital, Coventry CV2 2DX, United Kingdom.
authors: Phillip
authors: P
authors: Chapman
mesh_terms: D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D016011:Normal Distribution; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000295:instrumentation*
keywords: Hyperbilirubinemia; Neonatal jaundice; Neonatal phototherapy