Matt and I built the Bilimeter for the Bililight phototherapy system. The Bilimeter is a low cost, low maintenance, and easy to use meter for measuring the effectiveness of phototherapy lights. It indirectly measures the intensity of the phototherapy lights within the 425-475 nm range. This wavelength is important because bilirubin, the substance that causes neonatal jaundice, degrades at 470 nm.
- “The Bilimeter’s filter transmits light with the same wavelength that bilirubin has its maximum absorption.”
The Bilimeter is a very elegant engineering solution. It is very easy to make (Matt and I made it in my hotel room). It consists of a blue filter, a solar panel, and an ammeter.
- “Completed Bilimeter!”
