Firefly Phototherapy

Firefly phototherapy is the first device that Vietnamese clinicians trust to use in the room with mothers in rural hospitals--a context that supports an optimal cycle of newborn phototherapy and feeding for rapid and effective treatment. The combination top and bottom phototherapy, robust enclosed housings, table-top size, removable and cleanable single-infant bassinet, and high-tech medical aesthetic make it the most trustworthy, intuitive and effective phototherapy device affordable for low-resource, remote settings in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Firefly has won numerous awards including:

Core 77 Design Award for Social Impact, 2016
GOOD Green Design Award, 2015
Fast Company Innovation by Design Award, 2013
Edison Award - Firefly Phototherapy 2013
IDSA IDEA Award: Social Impact - 2012

All work © Design that Matters and used with permission

Newborn jaundice is a systemic global problem

Phototherapy should be a simple and cost-effective way to treat jaundice as it only requires shining a blue light on the skin, yet every year 5.7 million newborns in South Asia and Africa do not receive any phototherapy.

Global health experts estimate 6-10% of all newborn mortality can be attributed to jaundice and complications caused by jaundice.

Newborn jaundice is a simple condition with a simple cure that gives a child the same chance as all other healthy newborns at a long and healthy life.

Current equipment in the developing world is inappropriately designed for the developing world context, leading to ineffective treatment, spread of infant infection, and increased cases of dangerous exchange transfusions.*

EARLY PROCESS

LATER PROCESS

BETA DEVELOPMENT

IMPLEMENTATION

USER FEEDBACK

“Firefly creates a safe condition for the patient. The shape is like a bird’s nest wrapping the infant and comforting him. With overhead phototherapy, the baby just feels like they are out in space and the light is hanging over them. In Firefly, the baby feels very safe and families and doctors feel comfortable.”

Dr. Khuat Thanh Binh, Moc Chau District Hospital

“During these past months, I have noticed that with Firefly, moms never make a mistake in using it. With other phototherapy devices, mothers don’t know how to use them, and often cover their babies with blankets, blocking the treatment.”

Dang Van Tai, Head Nurse, Moc Chau District Hospital

“I preferred when baby Chuyen was receiving treatment from Firefly compared with the overhead and bilibed because the light is more intense. The machine just looks good, and I think the focused light would be better for the baby, but that is just my opinion.”

Dang Thi Hanh, Grandmother, Moc Chau District Hospital

“Overall I like Firefly. The top three things I like about it are (1) that the device is effective and (2) it looks beautiful and neat, and (3) it fits only one baby preventing cross-infection.”

Dr. Pham Do Ngoc Diep, NICU Director, St. Paul General Hospital

“I like that Firefly is smaller than other machines which means it can only treat 1 baby at a time which prevents cross-infection. In some hospitals, its small size might allow Firefly to fit in bed with the mother, and then Mom might be able to take care of the baby.”

Dr. Thai Bang Giang, St. Paul General Hospital

“Having Firefly in the mother’s room would be great for mother’s nursing and monitoring the baby. It’s very obvious that putting baby with the mom creates a better relationship between the two.”

Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Loi, NICU Director, National OBGYN Hospital

“I like Firefly because I can lay next to my baby, and always be with him. Before I wasn’t able to be with my baby, and worried if he was ok.”

Nguyen Thu Tuyet, Mother, Da Nang Hospital for Women & Children

“Putting Firefly in the mother’s room will actually be more convenient for the staff because the mothers will watch the babies and just call the nurse if something is needed.”