In a significant advancement for neonatal healthcare, a team of researchers from Mangaluru has successfully developed an innovative, low-cost device designed to screen newborns for jaundice without the need for invasive blood tests. The smartphone-based tool, named 'mBilimeter', promises to make early detection of dangerous bilirubin levels simpler, stress-free, and more accessible across India.
The Critical Need for Better Jaundice Screening
Neonatal jaundice, a condition causing yellowish skin and eyes due to high bilirubin, is extremely common, affecting over 60% of all newborns. While often mild, severe cases can lead to devastating complications if not treated promptly. Acute bilirubin encephalopathy and kernicterus are serious risks that can cause permanent brain damage, hearing loss, and movement disorders in infants.
Currently, the standard method for diagnosis is a total serum bilirubin (TSB) blood test. This procedure involves drawing blood, which is painful and stressful for both the fragile newborn and their caregivers. Although non-invasive transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) meters exist, their high cost often puts them out of reach for many hospitals and clinics, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas with limited resources.
How the mBilimeter Device Works
The mBilimeter device directly addresses this critical gap in affordable healthcare technology. It leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced imaging to provide a contact-free screening solution. The process is remarkably simple: a healthcare worker uses the device to capture an image of the newborn's skin, typically on the chest or forehead.
This image is then analysed by a pre-trained machine-learning model integrated into the device's microprocessor. The AI model is designed to assess skin tones and other image characteristics to deliver a real-time estimate of the bilirubin level, all without a single needle prick.
Affordability and Smart Features for Widespread Use
Beyond its core function, the mBilimeter is built for practical, widespread adoption. Key features include:
- Compact and Portable Design: The device is easy to carry and use in various clinical settings.
- User-Friendly Operation: It requires minimal training, allowing nurses and healthcare workers to operate it efficiently.
- IoT Connectivity: Built-in Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities enable seamless data transfer to hospital databases, facilitating remote monitoring and better record-keeping.
- Extremely Low Cost: Developed using locally sourced materials, the estimated production cost is between Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000, a fraction of the price of existing commercial TcB devices.
The Minds Behind the Innovation
The groundbreaking device is the result of a collaborative effort. It was developed by Dr Ruban S of St Aloysius (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru, in partnership with Dr Sanjeev Rai and Dr Saritha Paul of Father Muller Medical College, Mangaluru. The project was supported under the Medical Instruments, Devices and Allied Services (MIDAS) initiative of the DST–MAHE Deemed University in Manipal.
Senior officials from MAHE, including Vice Chancellor Lt Gen Dr MD Venkatesh and Dean Dr G Arun Maiya, highlighted the project's rapid progress. They confirmed that the medical device research was initiated at the MAHE DST HUB and is now undergoing an aggressive clinical validation process to ensure its efficacy and safety before potential commercial rollout.
This Made-in-India innovation, the mBilimeter, stands as a powerful example of how leveraging AI and smart design can solve pressing public health challenges. By providing a reliable, painless, and affordable screening tool, it has the potential to revolutionize newborn care in primary health centres and clinics across the country, ensuring every infant has access to timely jaundice detection and treatment.
