A Novel and Low-Cost Disposable Device for Phototherapy of Neonatal Jaundice Giovana R. Ferreira, Cláudia K. B. de Vasconcelos, Mariana M. Silva, Fabrício A. dos Santos, Jorge G. Pires, André S. Duarte, Andrea G. C. Bianchi, Rodrigo. F. Bianchi LAPPEM – DEFIS, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, 35400-000 Ouro Preto – MG, Brazil. ABSTRACT The present work details, to the best of our knowledge, the first examination of the influence of blue- light radiation on the optical properties of organic luminescent films in attempting to develop an indicating dosimeter for phototherapy of neonatal jaundice. Jaundice is one of the most common problems encountered in newborns derived from immature functioning of the liver. The operating principle of the device here presented is based on the optical response of poly[2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-p- phenylene (MEH-PPV) and tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq 3 ) materials dispersed in polystyrene (PS) matrix (denoted as PS/MEH-PPV/Alq 3 ). It is observed a blue-shift on the photoluminescence of PS/MEH-PPV/Alq 3 system from red to orange-yellow and then to green as function of the blue-light radiation exposure time. The result is attributed to the spectral overlap between emission of Alq 3 and absorption of MEH-PPV. The optical response of PS/MEH-PPV/Alq 3 to radiation was investigated to design and develop a low-cost (< US$ 0.05) “smart” sensor to easily represent the radiation dosage generally used in blue-light phototherapy. The basic idea behind this concept considers the sensor as a traffic light device where red represents underdose and green the prescribed dose or overdose, while orange-yellow suggests that radiation therapy is an ongoing process. This personal real-time radiation dosimeter appears here as a key requirement for successful development of innovative tools in effective management of the radiation dose planning where control of dose absorption by neonates is of extreme importance. INTRODUCTION Neonatal jaundice is caused by hyperbilirubinemia and it is a common problem resulting from a liver disease in the neonatal period [1]. Approximately 60% of normal newborns (40 million people) are affected worldwide. The standard treatment for this health problem is phototherapy whose effectiveness depends on the time newborns are exposed to light and the luminous intensity and spectrum irradiance of light source [2]. The most effective spectrum of light for maximal effectiveness of phototherapy is remarkably the blue LED [3, 4] (peaking near 455 nm [1], 40 W/cm 2 /nm [5]), which is also the most attractive choice because its emission spectrum is similar to the bilirubin absorption spectrum [6]. Several types of light source have been used in phototherapy units, many of them having output in the blue region (420-450 nm) [7] and irradiance values different from those required to enhance the effectiveness of treatment [8]. Despite this concern, more recent studies have shown either that no single standardized method or instrument designed to detect and measure radiant energy are routinely used for reporting the correct phototherapy dosages in the clinical literature [2]. It follows from the preceding observation that there is a need for an effective management of blue-light radiation dose planning before treatment of neonatal jaundice. This step is likely to reduce the under-exposure problems especially for those situations caused by the extremely high serum bilirubin levels which may result in high risk of permanent brain damage [9]. One notable advance in the development of the dosimeter for blue-light phototherapy was recently shown by the authors [10,11,12] who used the low reliability of luminescent polymers to demonstrate the potential use of an organic system as smart material for devices whose dose accumulation Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. Vol. 1209 © 2010 Materials Research Society 1209-P03-03