Little Sparrows Technologies Bili-Hut

Donna Brezinski

A battery operated tool to treat jaundice in newborns

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Snapshot
Manufacturing & delivery
Performance & use
Research & standards
Feedback

Product description Brand name and product description

The Bili-Hut™ is a high-intensity jaundice treatment device designed by Donna Brezinski for babies everywhere.

Target region(s) Target region for distribution/implementation (listed by country if specified)

The Bili-Hut is targeted for distribution in the African, Eastern Mediterranean, and South East Asia regions.

Distributors/implementing organizations Organization(s) distributing/deploying this product directly to communities/individuals?"

Not applicable. The device has not yet been commercialized and is still in the prototype/testing stage.

Market suggested retail price Price per unit or service price per usage/terms (USD). Subsidies noted.

Unknown

Competitive landscape Similar products available on the market. May not be a comprehensive listing.

Other phototherapy solutions for treatment of neonatal jaundice. An overview includes competitors such as DtM Firefly, Draeger Photo-Therapy, Natus neoBLUE, Delta TL, and the D-Rev Brilliance series.

SDG targeted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted with this product/application/service

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

Target user(s) Target user/consumer base (country, income segment)

This is developed for rural healthcare facilities managing children with Jaundice mainly in LMICs.

Manufacturing/building method(s) Detail regarding solution production or construction method (instructions, mass production capacity, custom made,etc...)

According to the 2016 WHO Compendium, the device has simple, fabric construction and is manufactured mainly by sewing, enabling construction near points of use in many developing regions. The LED light array and electrical components are assembled from off-the-shelf components.

Product Intellectual Property Open source/IP protected (note patent)/trade secret/other?

Patented

User Provision Model Where can the product be purchased/acquired by end users?

As the product is not yet commercially available, this is likely still subject to change. However, it is meant to work completely off the grid, with the fabrication simple such that local textile mills or other factories can make them for clinics nearby to acquire.

However, according to the 2016 WHO Compendium, local delivery and assembly of light array component parts that comply with quality standards may pose challenges.

Distribution to date Number of units that have been deployed, downloads or users to date

None have been commercially distributed, but prototypes have been tested in pilot studies in a rural clinic, with more field testing on its way to other sites.

Fields marked are sourced values that have been evaluated by the manufacturer or a third party, all others are design specifications.

Average spectral irradiance (μW/cm2/nm)

Meets irradiance recommendations as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Device dimensions

558 mm Length x 355 mm Width x 292 mm Height

Device weight (kg)

3 kg

Effective surface area (cm)

Unknown

Illumination source

Embedded LED strips that are commercially available and reflect off of interior Mylar material used for thermal blankets.

Irradiance uniformity ratio

Unknown

Lamp duration (hrs)

Battery life at full charge of 10 hours

Max power consumption (W)

17 W

Peak wavelength (nm)

According to the 2016 WHO Compendium, the device meets the wavelength recommendations established by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Recommended treatment distance (cm)

Unknown

Time totalizer (machine run/therapy)

Unknown

Voltage type

Voltage Required: 110 V/220V, AC powered

Design specifications Component and Operation overview including power, portability, facility requirements, preventative maintenance and user training requirements

The Bili-Hut™ can operate for an extended time on a 12 V battery. It can be transported in a standard shipping tube. Its tent-like configuration keeps the light fixed at the appropriate height from the baby.

According to the 2016 WHO Compendium, the product specifications are as follows:

Dimensions: 558 mm Length x 355 mm Width x 292 mm Height
Weight: 3 kg
Additional Power Requirement: 17 Watts
Voltage Requirement: 110 V, 220 V
Type of Energy Used: Rechargeable batteries or Continuous power supply
Battery Life at Full Charge: 10 hours

Product schematics Design and assembly illustrations

Not available

Technical support Technical support provided by

According to the 2016 WHO Compendium, the training required will be to set up the device and follow operation instructions as provided. As the product is still not commercialized, the structure for technical support has not been finalized yet – ideas include providing help in person or with a written user manual. However, the designers claim that the device is very intuitive and requires minimal training time.

Replacement components Availability of replacement components (in-country, by order,...)

All the parts are off-the-shelf and can be replaceable.

Lifecycle Disposal and warranty

According to the 2016 WHO Compendium, the estimated lifetime of the technology is 2-5 years, with an estimated shelf life of 5-10 years.

Manufacturer specified performance targets Designer / Manufacturer specified targets

Little Sparrows Technologies states that the ideal phototherapy device needs to be lightweight and collapsible so it can be easily transported. The main manufacturing process should be something simple, like sewing.

Vetted performance Findings of manufacturer evaluations or independent testing centers

None formally available. A blog post by a physician at Kibuye Hope Hospital in Burundi exists that expresses her thoughts on the Bili-Hut that was donated to her hospital.

According to the WHO Compendium, 50 infants have been treated since then, with results for the first 35 patients presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting in May 2016 (poster attached).

Testing organizations Independent lab, academic research centers, etc.

A rural hospital in Burundi has been testing out a prototype and has reported promising results, having treated five babies with neonatal jaundice as of October 2015.

Safety Potential hazards / risks related to operation of this product

Expert advisors suggest that the closed access of this product might lead to a wide variety of usage issues. The product might need risk mitigation measures to ensure the safety of the neonate.

Scientists at Stanford University (refer for Academic Research for full study) expressed concerns that the tent design may hinder close supervision of infants, which is crucial during the first week of life, and suggested safety testing for the possibility of causing overheating and infection.

Complementary technical systems Performance of this product is improved with another technology (eg. Cookstoves and Wind-blocking skirts)

Infant eye shield and thermometer

Academic research Academic research related to the product (e.g. published papers in peer-reviewed journals)

Brezinski, D., Lee, A. C., & Coda-Zabetta, C., 2019, “Bilikit–a comprehensive jaundice management package for resource challenged areas,” Gates Open Res, 3.

Biru, B., Dixit, S., Ogbuoji, O., Fernholz, F., Shahid, M., & Udayakumar, K., 2020, “Evaluating Saving Lives at Birth ,”(E-SL@ B).

Compliance with regulations Product certifications and standards referenced by designer/manufacturer

The device received FDA approval for use in the United States, but the designer says that the Bili-Hut provides the intensity and quality of light recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and used by other blankets and lamps approved by the FDA.

Evaluation methods Evaluation methods/protocols/guidelines referenced by designer or manufacturer.

Unknown

Other information

None

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Feedback from users, customers & distributors

Please let us know your experience in using this product through comments below.

Snapshot

Product description Brand name and product description

The Bili-Hut™ is a high-intensity jaundice treatment device designed by Donna Brezinski for babies everywhere.

Target region(s) Target region for distribution/implementation (listed by country if specified)

The Bili-Hut is targeted for distribution in the African, Eastern Mediterranean, and South East Asia regions.

Distributors/implementing organizations Organization(s) distributing/deploying this product directly to communities/individuals?"

Not applicable. The device has not yet been commercialized and is still in the prototype/testing stage.

Market suggested retail price Price per unit or service price per usage/terms (USD). Subsidies noted.

Unknown

Competitive landscape Similar products available on the market. May not be a comprehensive listing.

Other phototherapy solutions for treatment of neonatal jaundice. An overview includes competitors such as DtM Firefly, Draeger Photo-Therapy, Natus neoBLUE, Delta TL, and the D-Rev Brilliance series.

SDG targeted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted with this product/application/service

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

Target user(s) Target user/consumer base (country, income segment)

This is developed for rural healthcare facilities managing children with Jaundice mainly in LMICs.

Manufacturing & delivery

Manufacturing/building method(s) Detail regarding solution production or construction method (instructions, mass production capacity, custom made,etc...)

Product Intellectual Property Open source/IP protected (note patent)/trade secret/other?

Patented

User Provision Model Where can the product be purchased/acquired by end users?

However, according to the 2016 WHO Compendium, local delivery and assembly of light array component parts that comply with quality standards may pose challenges.

Distribution to date Number of units that have been deployed, downloads or users to date

None have been commercially distributed, but prototypes have been tested in pilot studies in a rural clinic, with more field testing on its way to other sites.

Performance & use

Fields marked are sourced values that have been evaluated by the manufacturer or a third party, all others are design specifications.

Average spectral irradiance (μW/cm2/nm)

Meets irradiance recommendations as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Device dimensions

558 mm Length x 355 mm Width x 292 mm Height

Device weight (kg)

3 kg

Effective surface area (cm)

Unknown

Illumination source

Embedded LED strips that are commercially available and reflect off of interior Mylar material used for thermal blankets.

Irradiance uniformity ratio

Unknown

Lamp duration (hrs)

Battery life at full charge of 10 hours

Max power consumption (W)

17 W

Peak wavelength (nm)

According to the 2016 WHO Compendium, the device meets the wavelength recommendations established by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Recommended treatment distance (cm)

Unknown

Time totalizer (machine run/therapy)

Unknown

Voltage type

Voltage Required: 110 V/220V, AC powered

Design specifications Component and Operation overview including power, portability, facility requirements, preventative maintenance and user training requirements

According to the 2016 WHO Compendium, the product specifications are as follows:

Dimensions: 558 mm Length x 355 mm Width x 292 mm Height
Weight: 3 kg
Additional Power Requirement: 17 Watts
Voltage Requirement: 110 V, 220 V
Type of Energy Used: Rechargeable batteries or Continuous power supply
Battery Life at Full Charge: 10 hours