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UVB Home Phototherapy Equipment for Psoriasis, Vitiligo & Eczema
Home UVB Phototherapy Selection Guide
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INTRODUCTION
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There are THREE CHOICES to be made when choosing a SolRx UVB phototherapy device:
1. Which Device Family (SolRx Series): 1000, 500 or 100 Series ?
2. Which Waveband of Ultraviolet Light: UVB-Narrowband or UVB-Broadband ?
3. How many ultraviolet bulbs ? (Fluorescent Lamp Tubes)
It is important that you discuss with your physician the best choices for you,
and your physician's advice shall always take priority over these selection guidelines.
A physician's
prescription
is required for all products, regardless of intended use.
The prescription does not have to be written by a dermatologist,
any medical doctor (MD) is acceptable, including of course general practitioners (GPs).
Each device family, or SolRx "Series",
is uniquely designed to perform a different type of phototherapy treatment,
generally based on the device's treatment area shape and size.
Within each device family are several "device models" that share the same basic construction and features,
but differ in the quantity of bulbs,
and the wavelength of ultraviolet light they produce. (UVB-Narrowband or UVB-Broadband).
Use these colour-coded and properly scaled charts to gain a better understanding of the relative size and power of the devices,
then read the three choices that follow.
Further information about Solarc model numbers can be found at:
How to Read Solarc/SolRx Model Numbers (pdf)
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SolRxTM
Device Family »»
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1000 Series
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500 Series
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100 Series
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UVB-Narrowband (UVB-NB)
SolRxTM Device Models :
[# of bulbs]
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1790UVB-NB [10]
1780UVB-NB [8]
1760UVB-NB [6]
1740UVB-NB [4]
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550UVB-NB [5]
530UVB-NB [3]
520UVB-NB [2]
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120UVB-NB [2]
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UVB-Broadband (UVB)
SolRxTM Device Models
[# of bulbs]
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1760UVB [6]
1740UVB [4]
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Not Available
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120UVB [2]
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1. SolRx Series: 1000, 500 or 100 Series ? (Which device family ?)
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Full Body
(A large percentage of head to toe involvement)
When there is a large percentage of affected area,
or there are many small lesions evenly distributed,
the SolRx 1000 Series is the usual choice.
These powerful units can irradiate a large area and efficiently provide head to toe treatments in a reasonable amount of time,
typically 1 to 10 minutes per side.
The charts above show that the 1000 Series has much greater treatment area and total power than the other device families.
If necessary, the treatment area can be reduced by blocking the light using clothing.
These devices use exactly the same type of 6 foot long fluorescent bulbs as commonly used by full body devices at phototherapy clinics.
The 1000 Series is not readily portable, but can be moved by one person if necessary.
Most installations are semi-permanent in the home.
Some stay in one location in the home for decades.
Device weights range from about 60 to 74 pounds. (1740 to 1790)
The SolRx 1000 Series is Solarc's largest selling device family.
Click here or on the pictures for the 1000 Series
Hand & Foot Treatment
Hand & Foot treatments are best given using the 500 Series,
as it is designed specifically for this capability.
The unit is supplied standard with a "hood" to reduce light leakage,
just like at the clinic.
The hood can be removed quickly and the unit rotated downward to treat the tops of the feet,
or any other area of the body.
The 500 Series has a grab handle, built tough and very easy to transport.
The removeable hood requires no tools for its use.
Device weights range from about 15 to 25 lbs.
The 500 Series is available as a rental-purchase,
so people can test if UVB-Narrowband is effective before committing to a purchase.
Click here or on the pictures for the 500 Series
Spot Targeting
(Isolated patches)
For spot targeting, there are two possible device family selections,
based on the size and number of treatment sites.
If there are only a few small isolated patches, such as elbows and knees,
the 12.5 sq.in. treatment area,
high Irradiance and targeting capabilities of the 100 Series may be the best choice.
If the patches are larger, the more powerful 500 Series can be used without the hood,
to provide about 234 sq.in. (1.6 sq.ft.) of treatment area,
which considerably reduces the total treatment time.
The mounting yoke allows the unit to rotate any direction.
If there are many small isolated patches,
using the small 100 Series to treat them individually may be too time consuming.
Consider instead grouping the areas together and using the 500 Series, or even the 1000 Series.
If you are treating vitiligo, the Aperture Plate system of the 100 Series may be beneficial.
The hood and yoke of the 500 Series do not require any tools for installation or removal.
Click here or on the pictures for the 500 Series
Click here or on the pictures for the 100 Series
Scalp Treatment - The SolRx UV-BrushTM
The 100 Series is the only device with the ability to treat the scalp,
using the optional patented UV-BrushTM.
Scalp treatment times are longer than general body treatments.
Please review the following web-page.
Click here for the SolRx UV-BrushTM.
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2. Waveband: UVB Broadband or UVB Narrowband (UVB-NB) ?
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UVB-Waveband selection is determined by your physician based on the disease being treated.
Psoriasis and eczema/atopic dermatitis can be treated using UVB-Narrowband or UVB-Broadband.
Vitiligo is generally treated with UVB Narrowband only.
Waveband selection for other skin diseases such as CTCL, PMLE,
pruritus and others are strictly by physician guidance.
UVA devices are available on request.
Your physician is required to decide which waveband you should be using,
and this must be indicated on your prescription.
Note: Now more than 90% of SolRx devices sold use
Narrowband UVB.
1000 Series Full Body
The 1000 Series is available as either UVB-Broadband or UVB-Narrowband.
Solarc's UVB-Narrowband models have an "UVB-NB" suffix in the model number, such as 1740UVB-NB.
UVB-Broadband models have the "UVB" suffix only, such as 1760UVB.
All 1000 Series models can be interchangeably fitted with either waveband type bulb at a later date,
by simply changing the bulbs.
A labeling change is required to comply with medical device regulations.
500 Series Hand/Foot & Spot Treatment
The 500 Series is only available as UVB-Narrowband,
so all models have a "UVB-NB" suffix in the model number, such as 530UVB-NB.
100 Series Hand-Held Spot Targeting
The 100 Series is available as either UVB-Narrowband or UVB-Broadband.
The UVB-Narrowband models have an "UVB-NB" suffix in the model number, such as 120UVB-NB.
UVB-Broadband models have the "UVB" suffix only, such as 120UVB.
UVB-Broadband may have a role in the clearing phase of scalp psoriasis using the
SolRx UV-BrushTM.
All 100 Series models can be interchangeably fitted with either waveband type bulb at a later date,
by simply changing the bulbs.
A labeling change is required to comply with medical device regulations.
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3. Number of Bulbs (Fluorescent Lamp Tubes)
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The number of bulbs has one primary influence: to reduce treatment time.
There is a direct relationship between the light output of a device (Irradiance),
Dose and Time, as expressed by the equation:
TIME = DOSE / IRRADIANCE
Increasing the number of bulbs increases the Irradiance and therefore reduces the treatment time.
Comment: Assuming that the goal is to reduce treatment times,
it follows that, when comparing devices of similar size and function,
the best equipment value can be generally be determined by simply calculating the cost per watt of total bulb power.
For instance, by simply dividing the price in dollars by the total bulb wattage.
This, of course, assumes that the devices being compared have the same features such as digital timer,
switchlock, reflectors and other accessories.
The second last number in the SolRx model number denotes the number of bulbs.
For instance, a 1740UVB has 4 bulbs and a 530UVB-NB has 3 bulbs.
The only exception to this is the 10-bulb 1790UVB-NB.
The 100 Series is stocked only as the twin-bulb model 120UVB-NB and 120UVB.
However, Solarc has the capability and regulatory license to build a single-bulb model 110;
available on request.
The choice of number of bulbs is greatly influenced by the skin condition to be treated and,
in the case of psoriasis, your skin's natural pigment.
For other skin conditions, please consult your physician.
Solarc may also be able to provide information from our library.
Psoriasis
For full body UVB Narrowband treatment of psoriasis, the six or eight bulb units
(1760UVB-NB & 1780UVB-NB) have become the most popular.
Based on feedback from our after sale follow-ups, they provide reasonable treatment times
(1-10 minutes per side) and work well for most people.
For full body psoriasis patients that require higher dosages,
such as dark skinned people or perhaps determined by experience from the phototherapy clinic,
the 10-bulb 1790UVB-NB may be a good choice.
It provides the lowest treatment times and has the lowest cost per bulb.
For very fair skinned people, the 4-bulb 1740UVB-NB may provide reasonable treatment times.
500 Series model selection is similar,
with the 3-bulb 530UVB-NB being almost as popular as the more powerful 5-bulb 550UVB-NB.
For hand & foot treatments,
the 550UVB-NB may be a better selection because it has more uniform light output at the recommended hand & foot treatment distance,
which is closer than the spot treatment distance.
Also, hand & foot treatments often require higher dosages due to the thicker skin.
The 500 Series is available as UVB-Narrowband only.
For full body UVB Broadband treatment of psoriasis, the 4-bulb 1740UVB is our most popular.
The 6-bulb 1760UVB is a good choice if you might change waveband types at a later date.
UVB-Broadband devices usually have fewer bulbs than UVB-Narrowband devices because UVB-Broadband has considerably greater potential to cause erythema (burning),
theoretically by a factor of 4 to 5 times.
We suggest review of
Understanding Narrowband UVB Phototherapy.
Vitiligo
Practical experience has shown that vitiligo patients can use the models with the least number of bulbs
(such as the 1740UVB-NB / 1760UVB-NB and 520UVB-NB / 530UVB-NB ),
since great care and lower dosages are needed when treating depigmented skin.
Vitiligo is normally not treated with UVB Broadband.
Eczema / Atopic Dermatitis
Treatment times for eczema / atopic dermatitis are less than that for psoriasis,
but more than that for vitiligo.
Any number of bulbs could be chosen.
UVB phototherapy for eczema is less common than treatment for psoriasis or vitiligo.
Click here to go to the 1000 Series Full Body Panels
Click here to go to the 500 Series Hand, Foot & Spot Treatment Device
Click here to go to the 100 Series Handheld Device
Click here to go to Ordering Info
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More Questions?
If you have any more questions, please contact us toll free at 1-866-813-3357.
We can also be reached by fax at 705.739.9684 or by email at info@solarcsystems.com
We will do our best to help you.
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Physician approval / prescription is required for all ultraviolet home phototherapy device and UV bulb orders.
Solarc Systems Inc., 12 Parker Court, Barrie, ON L4N 2A6
Toll Free: 1.866.813.3357 Tel: 705.739.8279 Fax 705.739.9684
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