Bilimeter 3 - A device for determining bilirubin concentration in the serum of newborns

The potential health risks associated with increased bilirubin in newborns are widely documented, including hearing disabilities and brain damage. Pressure is increasingly being placed on hospitals, midwives and paediatricians to test neonatal bilirubin levels, from medical associations and parents.

Traditional methods of measurement for example, transcutaneous measuring instruments or estimations, are often inaccurate and can put the newborn at risk. Even using analysers in a hospital lab can cause unnecessary delays.

To avoid these delays and ensure accurate measurement, Pfaff Medical have developed the Bilimeter 3, a new device for determining the total bilirubin content in the serum of newborns. The device can be used both in laboratories and as a Point of Care (POC) device.

When switched on the Bilimeter 3 calibrates itself. This easy handling allows even inexperienced staff to carry out measurements and makes it possible to determine the bilirubin content directly in the wards. The inorganic test probe (Prüfsonde) can be used for quality control. This inorganic test device can potentially help to reduce costs by eliminating the need to use expensive control sera, which are sensitive to light.

The Bilimeter 3 is to be used alongside the Haematocrit 210 centrifuge. For more details on this centrifuge please click here.

Benefits of the Bilimeter

• The serum from just one drop of blood is all that is required for analysis
• Simple quality control system (Prüfsonde)
• A low maintenance device
• Fast
• Easy to use

Ready to use in no time

The Bilimeter 3 is ready to measure in as little as 30 seconds after being switched on, while the measuring itself takes just one second.

Stand-by mode: Measuring after 2 seconds

The Bilimeter 3 is a "stand-by" device. Due to its low energy consumption, it does not need to be switched off. The integrated activation switch "ReZero" (see top left for image) can make it ready to measure within two seconds when the device is left on.

Precise measurements

The Bilimeter 3 has set new standards concerning precision and correctness of the measured values. The reference curve is linear up to 28.5 mg/dl, and the measurements are reliable even in case of a strong haemolysis. By measuring at two wavelengths simultaneously the Bilimeter 3 can compensate for the presence of haemolysis in the samples. Due to the drastic reduction in size of the measuring field, precise measurement is possible even with very small samples. Even one drop of whole blood – which contains 3µl of serum – is sufficient.

The latest technology

A LED with a long service life is used as the light source. This means the labour-intensive and expensive process of exchanging the light sources can be entirely avoided. This advanced measuring technology enables the Bilimeter 3 to work without any moving parts and so serving costs are much reduced.

In the Bilimeter 3, the two wavelength extinctions are, thanks to the latest electronics, subtracted from each other many times during the measuring period of just one second. A printer interface (RS232) has been integrated on the back of the device. This makes it possible to connect it, for instance, with a host computer or a printer.