Researchers Empa developed a light pajima alternative to shortwave light treatment in incubators for neonates with postpartum jaundice. "That means babies can stay healthy while warm and happy in their mother's arms," the researchers said.

Newborns who are treated with postpartum jaundice are housed in incubators alone, removing all clothing and eyes covered with ice to protect the eyes. Blue light radiation in the incubator is required to decompose the toxic hemoglobin degradation products in the blood that are deposited in the skin of infants with jaundice.

Researchers at Empa's biopharmaceutical and biomaterial textiles have improved the non-child-friendly process by combining treatment with the needs of newborns. The group headed by Luciano Boesel has developed an infant's lighting pajima designed to turn treatment into a health care experience.

To this end, material researchers have created light-based fiber-optic textiles that are woven into the fabric by woven techniques, and LEDs are supplied with battery power as a light source for the fiber. light. In addition to conventional fibers, optical fibers are woven into a satin fabric that distributes light throughout the fabric.

Satin fabric is ideal

With a diameter of 160 microns, the size of the optical fiber matches the diameter of the fiber. Boesel's team identified the right angle at which fibers must be bent in the weaving process so that blue light is within 470 nm wavelength range but is projected onto the skin rather than lying on the fabric.

Achieve the best results in the process of woven with 6/6 link, creating satin fabric. Here, special fiber has less knitting points on traditional fibers and is bent in an ideal way so that the light is evenly distributed on the skin.

Weaving woven optical materials can be made into bras or sleeping bags, so young patients are dressed and can be held in hands and fed. And because pajima can be made for commercial use, they only light up the baby's skin, so the child does not need to be blindfolded. Unlike the incubator, when the light is shining on the baby's face, the pajima's shortwave radiation does not reach the baby's eyes.

Pajima gently shines on the skin

Maike Quandt, principal investigator, said the light was also suitable for everyday garments. "Photonic textile materials are washable and do not adversely affect the skin," he explained. In the thermostat model, the researchers studied how light-emitting textile materials drain.

One of Empa's leather models also demonstrates that pajima also has good friction with the skin. Satin fabric is smooth and suited to the comfort of a typical jumpsuit.

Green light

Neonatal jaundice is a widespread phenomenon, as the baby's metabolism does not recover well within a few days of birth. Usually, the liver releases many toxins in the body. However, with hemoglobin degrading, your liver may not be working properly. If the product of bilirubin builds up in large amounts, the baby's skin is yellow, and if the bilirubin exceeds certain thresholds, the condition becomes dangerous.

Today's lighting therapy in incubators prevents this disease if it is applied at the right time. The light intensity of 30 microwatts / cm 2 in the blue light spectrum converting toxic bilirubin to dissolved forms can be easily removed by the immature organs of the newborn.

The first prototype of the pajima now emits green light from photonic textiles at low light intensity. For commercial production, the light intensity of pajima must be slightly increased; However, it is not a big deal because you only need to use stronger LEDs.

 Vinatex.com