Phototherapy is used to treat hyperbulirubinemia, a common condition in infants, referring to an increase in the amount of bilirubin in the blood. It is characterized by jaundice, a yellowish discoloration of the skin. Phototherapy immerses the patient in a bath of fluorescent light, which breaks up and disperses the excess bilirubin. In the past, clinicians relied on phototherapy units which resembled tanning tables, with the infant placed on a surface illuminated by overhead fluorescent lights. This required the infant to be isolated for long periods of time, with protection pads to shield the eyes from the light.

With the development of flexible fluorescent panels, it was now possible to wrap the infant in the panel during treatment, without eye protection, and still allow the parent to hold the child during part of all of the therapy.

Ohmeda BiliBlanket (OHBILLI BLANKET)

The Ohmeda BiliBlanket is similar to the Healthdyne Wallaby, but has a broader fluorescent panel and a long flexible connector tube that attaches to the main unit. Instead of a 2-position switch, a regulator knob allows incremental increases in the luminescence delivered to the panel. A cooling fan and safety thermostat protect the light source and fiberoptic cable from overheating, and an air flow failure alarm alerts users before overheating occurs. Also available (one or the other is recommended) are disposable protective covers for the fiberoptic panel (6600-0270-200), and disposable vests which are used to secure the pad to the infant (6600-0461-200).

Suggested Substitutions: Healthdyne Wallaby, PEP Adpep Billilight, Medela Bililight