Mostafa Hamza

Blue-green diode-pumped solid state laser system for transcutaneous bilirubinometry in neonatal jaundice

The authors introduce the design of a blue-green diode- pumped solid-state laser system for transcutaneous measurement of serum bilirubin level in jaundiced new born infant. The system follows the principles of optical bilirubinometry. The choice of wavelengths provides correction for the presence of hemoglobin. The new design is more compact and less expensive.

Laser Transcutaneous Bilirubin Meter: A New Device For Bilirubin Monitoring In Neonatal Jaundice

Neonates with jaundice require monitoring of serum bilirubin which should be repeated at frequent intervals. However, taking blood samples from neonates is not always an easy job, plus being an invasive and traumatising procedure with the additional risk of blood loss. In this paper the authors present the theory and design of a new noninvasive device for transcutaneous bilirubinometry, using a differential absorption laser system. The new technique depends upon illuminating the skin of the neonate with radiation from a two wave-length oscillation laser. The choice of the wavelengths follows the principles of optical bilirubinometry. For obtaining more accurate measurements, different pairs of two wave-lengths are incorporated in the design. The presence of hemoglobin is corrected for by appropriate selection of the laser wavelengths. The new design was tested for accuracy and precision using an argon ion laser. Correlation study between serum bilirubin determination by laser transcutaneous bilirubinometry and by American optical bilirubinometer was highly significant.

New laser sources for clinical treatment and diagnostics of neonatal jaundice

An elevated serum bilirubin concentration in the newborn infant presents a therapeutic as well as a diagnostic problem to the physician. It has long been recognized that high levels of bilirubin cause irreversible brain damage and even death. The authors introduce the use of semiconductor diode lasers and diode-pumped solid-state lasers that can be used for solving such diagnostic and therapeutic problems. These new laser sources can improve the ergonomics of using laser, enhance performance capabilities and reduce the cost of employing laser energy to pump bilirubin out of an infants body. The choice of laser wavelengths follows the principles of bilirubinometry and phototherapy of neonatal jaundice. The wide spread use of these new laser sources for clinical monitoring and treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia will be made possible as each incremental or quantum jump cost reduction is achieved. Our leading clinical experience as well as the selection rules of laser wavelengths will be presented.

New laser system for sensitive remote sensing of ammonia in human breath

This paper describes the theory and design of a new laser system for monitoring ammonia in human breath to provide information on the clinical course in patients with liver disease. The technique depends upon proper illumination of human breath with radiation from modulated laser sources at selected wavelengths. The wavelength selection is based on the absorption characteristics of ammonia and other interfering sources. The laser radiation transmitted through the breath gases is detected and their signal processing is based on differential absorption laser spectroscopy. This is done in such a way to overcome the performance limitations of conventionally available equipment. The detailed description and operating characteristics of this system are presented.

Application of blue laser diodes and LEDs in phototherapy for neonatal jaundice

The authors introduce the design of a compact phototherapy unit capable of fulfilling the recommendations of the clinical use of lasers and LEDs in phototherapy for the treatment of neonatal jaundice. The system keeps the duration of phototherapy to the minimum required for efficient treatment. Our leading clinical experience as well as the wavelength selection rules will be presented.

Diode-pumped solid state laser phototherapy for treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

The authors introduce the design of a diode-pumped solid- state laser phototherapy unit, capable of fulfilling the recommendations of the clinical use of laser in phototherapy for the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. This compact laser power unit has the advantages of easy application by the medical staff plus being more cost effective.

Novel diode-based laser system for combined transcutaneous monitoring and computer-controlled intermittent treatment of jaundiced neonates

The high efficacy of laser phototherapy combined with transcutaneous monitoring of serum bilirubin provides optimum safety for jaundiced infants from the risk of bilirubin encephalopathy. In this paper the authors introduce the design and operating principles of a new laser system that can provide simultaneous monitoring and treatment of several jaundiced babies at one time. The new system incorporates diode-based laser sources oscillating at selected wavelengths to achieve both transcutaneous differential absorption measurements of bilirubin concentration in addition to the computer controlled intermittent laser therapy through a network of optical fibers. The detailed description and operating characteristics of this system are presented.

Development of a new near-IR laser system for clinical monitoring of cerebral oxygenation in the newborn infant

The provision of sufficient oxygen to the brain is a major goal for neonatologists to prevent major neuro-developmental handicaps and to improve the chances for intact survival of sick newborn infants. In this paper the authors present the theory and design of a new noninvasive device for transcutaneous monitoring of cerebral blood and tissue oxygenation using a differential absorption laser system. The new technique depends upon illuminating the head of the neonate with radiation from six near infrared laser diodes. The choice of the used laser wavelengths (775, 780, 810, 825, 830, 850 nanometers) follows the principles of near infrared spectroscopy for obtaining accurate measurements. Different constructions of fiber optic probes arranged around the head of the neonate along the biparietal diameter guide the transmitted and received laser signals for signal processing. The detailed description and operating characteristics of this system are presented.

New laser system for highly sensitive clinical pulse oximetry

This paper describes the theory and design of a new pulse oximeter in which laser diodes and other compact laser sources are used for the measurement of oxygen saturation in patients who are at risk of developing hypoxemia. The technique depends upon illuminating special sites of the skin of the patient with radiation from modulated laser sources at selected wavelengths. The specific laser wavelengths are chosen based on the absorption characteristics of oxyhemoglobin, reduced hemoglobin and other interfering sources for obtaining more accurate measurements. The laser radiation transmitted through the tissue is detected and signal processing based on differential absorption laser spectroscopy is done in such a way to overcome the primary performance limitations of the conventionally used pulse oximetry. The new laser pulse oximeter can detect weak signals and is not affected by other light sources such as surgical lamps, phototherapy units, etc. The detailed description and operating characteristics of this system are presented.

New scanner fiber optic delivery system for laser phototherapy in the treatment of neonatal jaundice

The authors have introduced laser phototherapy for the treatment of neonatal jaundice. Clinical trials have demonstrated its high efficacy compared to the conventionally used fluorescent phototherapy. In this paper a new modification to laser irradiation in phototherapy can be achieved by scanning the laser output beam in the selected wavelength of irradiation (488 nm) through a fiberoptic bundle which irradiate the skin of the baby. Scanning of the laser beam provides intermittent irradiation at high frequency, which can provide the same therapeutic efficacy with almost half the power of laser irradiation.