Table 1: Review of available home phototherapy units
TECHNOLOGICAL AND CONVENIENCE FEATURES |
TYPE OF LIGHT |
EFFICACY |
SAFETY FEATURES |
National Biological Corporation |
|||
Panosol II
|
|||
Home UV panel, available in 2-ft and 6-ft models. 2-ft unit is best used to treat small or localized areas. 6-ft unit treats larger surface area (entire side of body in one session); optional wings can be added to extend treatment surface area and to provide privacy. Units come with casters for easy moving and storage. |
UVA NB-UVB BB-UVB |
High-efficiency reflector design maximizes lamp output. |
Safety features include a key-locked ON/OFF switch to prevent unauthorized use, digital timer which limits maximum treatment duration to 10 minutes, CPT Timer (available in UVB models), and failsafe feature which disables unit in event of emergency. |
Panosol 3D
|
|||
Three-dimensional unit with dimensions 29 ½ inches by 74 ½ inches by 4 ½ inches. Design allows for treatment of entire body surface with only two sessions. Doors close for easy home storage. |
NB-UVB |
High-efficiency reflector design maximizes lamp output
|
Safety features include key-locked ON/OFF switch to prevent unauthorized use, digital timer limits maximum treatment duration of 10 minutes, and failsafe feature which disables unit in event of emergency |
Foldalite III
|
|||
Full-body booth consisting of 16 NB-UVB lamps and 5.4 sq. ft of interior space. Design allows for treatment of entire body surface area in one session. Fifty percent larger than any other folding home phototherapy booth (adjustable doors can further expand treatment area). Simple push button operation, easy open doors, adjustable wheels designed for easy transport and storing. |
16 TL-01 100W NB-UVB lamps |
|
Safety features include key-locked ON/OFF switch to prevent unauthorized use, digital timer limits maximum treatment duration of 10 minutes, CPT Timer available in UVB models, and failsafe feature which disables unit in event of emergency. |
Dermalight 80
|
|||
Handheld home NB-UVB phototherapy device for scalp psoriasis or spot treatment psoriasis and vitiligo. Portable and lightweight. Comes with comb to separate hair for optimal treatment of scalp psoriasis. |
NB-UVB |
|
Safety features include comb attachment can be used as a distance guard and timer to monitor spot or scalp psoriasis treatment. |
Hand/Foot II
|
|||
Consists of 10 high output lamps to treat hands and feet. UVA/UVB option available which comes with 5 UVA and 5 UVB lamps.
|
UVA BB-UVB NB-UVB (UVA/UVB combination)
|
Extremely high output allows quick and effective treatment of difficult areas |
Safety features include key-locked ON/OFF switch to prevent unauthorized use and CPT Timer available in UVB models. |
Daavlin |
|||
UV Series: Full Body Surround
|
|||
Full-body home phototherapy unit which encircles body allowing entire body surface area to be treated in one exposure. Elliptical space-smart design occupies less space than other similar products. Platform elevates patient to level of the UV lamps. |
|
|
Safety features include a removable safety key to prevent unauthorized use. Flex Dosimeter Control allows dosage to be entered by physician. Accurate delivery of UV dose ensured by UV sensor which measures intensity of light emitted and adjusts treatment time to reflect variation in lamp output. |
7 Series: Panel Units
|
|||
Free standing, 6ft tall, home phototherapy units. Available in 4, 6, 8 and 10 lamp models. Option of double enclosure doors which may be equipped with additional bulbs or reflective panels. Features one-touch programming and operation. |
BB-UVB
NB-UVB
UVA |
|
Safety features include a removable safety key to prevent unauthorized use. Flex Dosimeter Control allows dosage to be entered by physician. Accurate delivery of UV dose ensured by UV sensor which measures intensity of light emitted and adjusts treatment time to reflect variation in lamp output. |
2 Series: Panel Units
|
|||
Free standing, 2 foot tall, home phototherapy units for localized treatment. Available in 4 and 8 lamp models. Option of double enclosure doors which may be equipped with additional bulbs or reflective panels. Features one-touch programming and operation. |
BB-UVB
NB-UVB
|
|
Safety features include a removable safety key to prevent unauthorized use. Flex Dosimeter Control allows dosage to be entered by physician. Accurate delivery of UV dose ensured by UV sensor which measures intensity of light emitted and adjusts treatment time to reflect variation in lamp output. |
M Series
|
|||
Localized area units available as a single unit with removable hood (dimensions: height 13.5”, width 27.5”, depth 22”, weight 75 lbs) or as a table (dimensions: height 33.5”, width 31.125”, depth 25.5”, weight 54 lbs). The unit can be mounted on wall.
|
BB-UVB
NB-UVB
UVA |
|
Safety features include a removable safety key to prevent unauthorized use. Flex Dosimeter Control allows dosage to be entered by physician. Accurate delivery of UV dose ensured by UV sensor which measures intensity of light emitted and adjusts treatment time to reflect variation in lamp output. |
Dermapal
|
|||
Compact (dimensions: 8.25” x 1.75”) and lightweight (1 lb, 12 oz) scalp and spot treatment unit. Comes with comb, facilitating separation of hair for optimal treatment of scalp lesions. |
BB-UVB
NB-UVB
UVA |
High output lamps minimize time |
Highly accurate timer |
UVBioTek |
|||
Model 1600B and Model 1600 B (NB) Systems
|
|||
Home phototherapy unit equipped with 16 bulbs arranged in flexible light panels. Compact (folds flat against wall when not in use to a depth of 8”). Attractive door panels to coordinate with home décor. |
BB-UVB
NB-UVB |
|
Equipped with acrylic safety shields to prevent direct contact with UV bulbs. |
Model 800B and Model 800 B (NB) Systems
|
|||
Home phototherapy unit consisting of 4 hinged panels (8 UV bulbs) in a flexible wrap around arrangement allowing simultaneous treatment of multiple body surfaces. The wall-mounted design folds flat when not in use, and front panels are available in a variety of finishes to coordinate with home décor. |
BB-UVB
NB-UVB |
|
Equipped with acrylic safety shields to prevent direct contact with UV bulbs. |
Model 100B
|
|
|
|
Home phototherapy unit consisting of 10 UV lamps arranged in a single panel. Reflective door panels allow for redirection to body sites. Unit closes when not in use, and door panels are available in a variety of finishes to coordinate with home décor. |
BB-UVB |
|
Equipped with acrylic safety shields to prevent direct contact with UV bulbs |
Mobile-Lite
|
|||
Completely portable home phototherapy unit designed to treat hands and/or feet. It is equipped with handles, and when not in use, it collapses to form a suitcase (dimensions: 18” x 34.5” x 17.5”, weight: 40 lbs). |
NB-UVB |
|
Equipped with acrylic safety shield to prevent direct contact with UV bulbs |
Solarc Systems |
|||
SolRx 1000 Series Full Body Panel |
|||
6 foot tall single panel home phototherapy unit. Available in 4, 6, 8, and 10 bulb models. Parabolic reflectors behind outermost bulbs increase the amount of light delivered to the sides of the body. Bulbs are as close to the floor as possible, eliminating the need for use of a platform. |
BB-UVB
NB-UVB
UVA |
|
Safety features include a keyed switchlock which prevents unauthorized use and a digital countdown timer that allows dosage to be controlled and has a maximum setting of 20 minutes. |
500 Series Hand/Foot & Spot Treatment
|
|||
Mid-sized, portable home phototherapy unit designed for hand/foot and spot treatment. Equipped with Mounting Yoke (cradle), which allows the unit to be tilted to improve spot treatment and removable hood, which limits exposure to the hands and feet for localized treatment of these areas. |
NB-UVB |
Higher lamp output increases efficacy. |
Safety features include a keyed switchlock which prevents unauthorized use and a digital countdown timer that allows dosage to be controlled and has a maximum setting of 20 minutes. |
100 Series Handheld Small Spot & Scalp Phototherapy
|
|||
Small and portable home phototherapy unit equipped with two bulbs and used for localized treatment of small areas. Treatment area 2.5” x 5”. Attachable UV-Brush available for scalp treatment. |
NB-UVB |
Clear acrylic window allows for contact with unit and maximization of treatment and targeted phototherapy. |
Safety features include a keyed switchlock which prevents unauthorized use and a digital countdown timer that allows dosage to be controlled and has a maximum setting of 20 minutes. |
Psoralite |
|||
Model 1400 Home Full Body
|
|||
Hinge-designed home phototherapy unit equipped with 16 lamps allowing for full body treatment in one session. Contour designed for uniform body surface area exposure. |
BB-UVB
NB-UVB
UVA |
Circulating fan for increased efficiency. |
Safety features include controlled digital timer plus Key-locked ON/OFF switch to prevent unauthorized use. FEP protective sleeves to prevent injury from lamps. |
Model 2400
|
|||
Lightweight and portable home phototherapy unit equipped with 6 lamps. Dimensions: 6.5” x 26” x 17”. Weight: 17 lbs. |
BB-UVB
NB-UVB
UVA |
Circulating fan for increased efficiency. |
Safety features include controlled digital timer plus Key-locked ON/OFF switch to prevent unauthorized use. |
Richmond Light |
|||
S2000 Series
|
|||
Home phototherapy units designed for full-length, half body treatment. Available in 4, 6, and 8 lamp models. Height: 74.5”. Width ranges from 27 3/8” in 4 lamp unit to 36 1/2” in 6 lamp unit to 43 1/4” in 8 lamp unit. Casters available for easy moving.
|
BB-UVB
NB-UVB
UVA |
Customized reflectors maximize exposure and minimize treatment time. |
Programmable digital timer to precisely control each treatment. Key-locked ON/OFF switch to prevent unauthorized use. Wireguards to prevent lamp breakage. |
Reprinted with permission from: Nolan BV, Yentzer BA, Feldman SR. A review of home phototherapy for psoriasis. Dermatology Online Journal 2010;16(2):1