The SolRx 500-Series
Hand/Foot & Spot Mid-Size Device
Models: 550, 530, 520
The SolRx 500‑Series is a powerful mid-size UVB-Narrowband phototherapy device with a treatment area of about 16″ x 13″ (208 square inches). This portable unit is designed for maximum versatility in a compact, cost-effective package. With both the mounting yoke and hood removable, there is a myriad of treatment possibilities. It can be set up for Spot treatment of nearly any area of the body, or it can be used as a Hand/Foot unit, just like at the clinic. It uses exactly the same medical UVB-Narrowband bulbs as at the phototherapy clinic. Modern 36-watt Philips Narrowband UVB PL‑L36W/01 “Long Compact Fluorescent” bulbs provide significantly greater UV light output than competitive devices using older 20-watt “T12” bulbs, which means shorter treatment times for you.
An independent medical study has shown that these Solarc designed and manufactured devices are “very effective in comparison with hospital therapy.” The study confirms that “all patients on home therapy were satisfied with their treatment, plan to continue it, and recommend it to others in similar situations.” Click here to learn more. All units are shipped fully assembled and are US-FDA and Health Canada Compliant. All pictures were taken with real UVB-Narrowband bulbs.
The mounting yoke (cradle) allows the device to be tilted to any angle for Spot treatment of nearly any area of the body. The treatment distance is 8 inches (20cm) from the wire guard. A handle at the top of the unit makes it easy to move around.
With the mounting yoke removed and the hood installed (no tools required), the device can be used as a dedicated Hand/Foot unit, just like at the clinic. In this case, the treatment distance is at the wire guard.
Solarc’s 500‑Series “Narrowband UVB” units use Philips PL‑L36W/01 bulbs. These are exactly the same type of UV phototherapy bulbs we supply to clinics all across North America. Solarc Systems is Canada’s only authorized OEM and distributor for Philips medical UV lamps. We are located near Barrie, Ontario, Canada; about one hour north of Toronto. Come visit our showroom!
These are the same devices praised in the University of Ottawa Division of Dermatology home phototherapy medical study: “Are Narrowband Ultraviolet B Home Units a Viable Option for Continuous or Maintenance Therapy of Photoresponsive Skin Diseases?”
Solarc Systems has been ISO-13485 certified for the design and manufacturing of medical ultraviolet phototherapy equipment since 2002. We were the first North American phototherapy manufacturer to achieve this designation. All SolRx devices are US-FDA and Health Canada compliant.
All SolRx devices are designed and manufactured in Canada. The SolRx 500‑Series was designed in 2002 by a lifelong psoriasis sufferer, professional mechanical engineer, and ongoing user of SolRx UVB-Narrowband equipment.
Spot Treatment
For spot treatment, the device is usually fitted to the mounting yoke using the black hand-knobs on each side. To rotate the unit, the knobs are loosened slightly and then re-tightened. Special friction washers provide smooth movement and positive clamping.
Through the use of various height platforms, nearly any area of the body can be targeted. Four rubber bumpers on the bottom of the yoke provide solid footing and the handle at the top of the unit makes it easy to move around. As shown, the 5‑bulb model 550UVB‑NB with yoke weighs only 22 pounds (10 kg). The models with fewer bulbs weigh less.
Note: Patients that have many different areas of the body to treat will require multiple device setups. This could result in a rather long time needed to complete all the areas. These patients may have better long-term results by using a full‑body device such as the SolRx E‑Series or 1000‑Series.
The device can rotate a full 360 degrees all around! Just loosen the black hand-knobs on each side.
Tilt the unit to provide maximum coverage of the treatment area. The spot treatment distance is 5 to 9 inches from the wire guards.
It is perfect for facial treatments, as is often required for vitiligo patients. It is important that the UV protective goggles always be worn.
Or treat the elbows for psoriasis. There is very little set-up time between positions.
It can be tilted upside-down, so the tops of the feet can be treated.
And quickly rotated for psoriasis treatment of the knees. There are many, many treatment possibilities.
Some people keep the unit under a desk for convenient foot treatments.
For storage, tuck it away in a closet. It can also be stored under a bed with the yoke on if there is 8″ clearance, or with the yoke off if there is 7″ clearance.
With a sturdy handle, compact dimensions, and light weight, you can take it anywhere!
Hand & Foot Treatment
For hand and foot treatments, the device is supplied with a removable hood that limits exposure to only the hands or feet, while minimizing UV exposure to other parts of the body, such as the face.
The mounting yoke can be used to allow the main unit to rotate to a comfortable position, or the yoke can be removed completely so the main unit rests on the floor or a desktop in a traditional Hand & Foot arrangement. Both the yoke and the main unit have rubber bumpers on their bases.
The hand and foot treatment distance is at the wire guard, which maximizes UVB-Narrowband light power and allows you to rest your hands or feet during treatment. Periodically the hands or feet should be moved on the guard to ensure uniform coverage.
With the mounting yoke installed, the main unit can be tilted to any comfortable treatment position. In this example, the bottom of the feet can be treated first, then, in just a few seconds the hood can be removed and the main unit tilted downward to treat the tops of the feet.
The yoke can be detached by removing the black hand-knobs on each side. No tools are required.
With the yoke removed, the device takes on the traditional hand and foot arrangement, just like at the phototherapy clinic.
Hand treatment with hood installed and yoke removed. The hands are simply flipped over to treat the other side.
Treating the bottom of the feet with hood installed and yoke removed.
Optionally, the yoke can remain attached and rotated around the back as shown. Note the four rubber bumpers on the base of the yoke.
The hood weighs about six pounds and fits over the wire guard. It just lifts off of the main unit. No tools are required.
The all-steel hood measures 18 x 13 x 9.5 inches high. There are no custom plastic parts to UV-age, crack and break.
Ultraviolet Bulbs & Model Descriptions
Another important feature of the SolRx 500‑Series UVB-Narrowband device is its far superior power density. Most competitive devices use eight or ten 20-watt, 2-foot long single tube “T12” bulbs, (Philips TL20W/01) for a total of 160 to 200 watts of bulb power. These bulbs have a published 5-hour UVB radiation of 2.3 watts each.
The SolRx 500‑Series, on the other hand, uses up to five modern 36-watt “long compact fluorescent” twin-tube bulbs, (Philips PL-L36W/01) for a total of 180 watts of bulb power. Benefited by their superior shape, these smaller yet more powerful bulbs have a published 5-hour UVB radiation of 6.2 watts each; 2.7 times that of the TL20 bulbs, with only 1.8 times the input power.
What does this mean to you? More UV light intensity (irradiance) means shorter treatment times, while still providing totally adequate coverage for hand/foot treatments & spot targeting.
It also means an overall smaller device, less weight, and far better portability. Other benefits include lower re-bulbing costs because there are fewer bulbs and the two rival bulb types have about the same cost. PL-L36W bulbs are also considerably more robust than the TL20’s, reducing any chance of breakage.
Narrowband UVB is now the worldwide treatment of choice for psoriasis, vitiligo and eczema. More than 99% of SolRx devices use this waveband. UVB-Narrowband also makes large amounts of Vitamin D in human skin, up to the equivalent of 20,000 IU per full-body treatment.
After removal of three fasteners on one side of the guard, the guard swings open to access the bulbs. For most home phototherapy users, the bulbs last 5 to 10 years or even longer.
The anodized aluminum reflectors behind the bulbs reflect about 90% of incident UVB light and are mirror-like in appearance. They greatly improve the device’s UV light intensity, which is also known as “Irradiance”, and typically expressed in milli-watts per square centimeter (mW/cm^2).
The various 500-Series models all use the same main frame, and differ only in the number of ultraviolet bulbs. Within the model number, the second digit indicates the number of bulbs. For example, a 530 has 3 bulbs. The 500-Series is almost always supplied as UVB-Narrowband using Philips PL-L 36W/01 bulbs, but UVB-Broadband is also available using PL-L 36W-FSUVB bulbs (non-Philips brand), in which case the model number has only a “UVB” suffix, such as “550UVB”. Solarc also has bulbs for UVA (PL-L 36W/09) and UVA1 (PL-L 36W/10), but User’s Manuals are not available for these variants, so patients will have to consult their healthcare professional for treatment protocols. Solarc may also be able to help by supplying information from our library.
A device with more bulbs has greater UV light intensity (irradiance) and thus shorter treatment times. It follows that the best device value can be determined by simply comparing the cost-per-watt. For example, for a 550UVB‑NB, divide its cost by its 180 watts of bulb power, and compare it to that of other competitive units. The 500‑Series typically has the lowest cost-per-watt and the highest value, not to mention its far greater versatility.
The pictures below describe the various models.
550UVB-NB or 550UVB-NB-CR 5 Bulbs, 180 Watts
The 550UVB‑NB is the most powerful and popular device in the 500‑Series family. It will provide the shortest treatment times and the most uniform UV-light at the guard surface (no spaces between bulbs).
The 550UVB‑NB‑CR is a special “Clinic Rated” unit designed specifically for heavy use in a phototherapy clinic. It has a blower fan to keep the hood and bulbs cool and is electrically rated for “low leakage” hospital use. Home users do not need to consider this model.
550UVB-NB
530UVB-NB 3 Bulbs, 108 Watts
The 530UVB‑NB is a good choice for basic “Spot” treatment. It provides reasonable treatment times for most patients. Those treating thick psoriasis on the hands or feet need more UV light to penetrate the lesions and therefore should instead consider the 550UVB-NB, because its greater irradiance will significantly shorten treatment times, and it has better UV-light uniformity at the guard surface (no spaces between bulbs).
530UVB-NB
520UVB-NB 2 Bulbs, 72 Watts
The 520UVB‑NB is the least powerful 500‑Series UVB-Narrowband device. It is suitable for people that require lower dosages, such as vitiligo patients; or for those needing to treat only a small areas, such as the fingers. These patients might also consider the smaller 18-watt SolRx 100‑Series Handheld.
520UVB-NB
Product Details
The controls for the SolRx 500‑Series Hand/Foot & Spot device are easy to understand and operate.
A digital countdown timer provides timing control to the second, and has a maximum time setting of 20:00 minutes:seconds. A rather useful feature of this timer is that it always remembers the last time setting, even if power is removed from the device for a long time. This means that you will always be presented with your last treatment time setting for reference. Your treatment time is set by simply pressing the up or down arrow keys, and the UV bulbs are turned on/off by pressing the START/STOP buttons. The bulbs turn off automatically when the timer counts down to 00:00, and then the timer resets to the last treatment time. The timer’s red display digits are easily seen through the amber coloured patient goggles supplied. The timer does not require prescription refills from your doctor.
A keyed switchlock is the main power disconnect for the unit. By removing and hiding the key, unauthorized use can be prevented. This is an important feature, especially if kids are around, because mistaking this medical UVB device for a UVA tanning machine can result in serious skin burns, as tanning treatment times are typically much longer.
The labels are made from Lexan® and will not fade.
The 500-Series device uses a standard 3-prong grounded wall outlet as found in nearly all homes in North America (120 Volts AC, 60 Hertz, single phase, NEMA 5-15P plug). There are no special electrical requirements. For our international customers with 220 to 240 volt supply power (50/60Hz), Solarc stocks the 550UVB-NB-230V.
For ease of transport, the power supply cord is detachable from the main unit. The cord is about 3 metres long (~10 feet), which minimizes the chances that you will need an extension cord.
The electrical components are assembled together on the main frame and accessed by removing the back cover. All electrical components are UL/ULc/CSA listed. The ballasts are of the modern high-frequency electronic type to maximize UV output and minimize weight.
For maximum durability, the frame is made from 20 gauge steel (about as thick as a dime) and then powder painted white to create a beautiful, long lasting finish. There are a minimum of plastic parts to UV-age, crack, and break. Cleaning the device is simple, just take it outside and blow it out with clean compressed air.
The device is mated to the yoke using a black hand-knob on each side of the device. To rotate the unit, the knobs are loosened slightly and then re-tightened. Special friction washers (in brown) provide smooth movement and positive clamping.
The device is hand assembled by Solarc in Canada using plated machine screws with nylon insert locknuts wherever possible. These locknuts ensure that the joints stay tight and the unit stays rigid. The device is shipped fully assembled.
Users Manual & Treatment Method
A comprehensive User’s Manual is a critically important part of the 500-Series Hand/Foot & Spot device. The SolRx User’s Manuals have been continuously developed for over 25 years by Solarc employees that are also patients actually using SolRx devices, and vetted by a variety of dermatology experts. The information provided allows you to safely maximize your treatment results. Most importantly, it includes detailed exposure guidelines with treatment times for psoriasis, vitiligo, and atopic dermatitis (eczema). The Exposure Guideline Tables shown provide a complete treatment protocol based on your skin type (not relevant for vitiligo), the power of the device, and the UV-waveband. The 500‑Series User’s Manual is available in English, French, and Spanish. It is printed on 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper and bound in a 3-hole folder, so you can easily photocopy pages as needed.
The User’s Manual also includes:
- Warnings about who should not use the device (phototherapy contraindications)
- General warnings about UVB phototherapy and equipment safety
- Installation considerations, assembly and setup
- Exposure guidelines including skin type determination, positioning and other tips
- Usage guidelines & treatment procedure
- Psoriasis long term maintenance program
- Device maintenance, bulb replacement & troubleshooting
- Several years of Solarc’s uniquely useful Phototherapy Calendar
The value of this User’s Manual has been recognized by the Ottawa home phototherapy study which stated: “Nurses and dermatologists who do not operate a phototherapy centre should be aware of the detailed instructions provided by Solarc Systems. Their [the dermatologist’s] role becomes more one of professional follow-up rather than one of education on the operation of the home unit.”
For treating Vitamin D deficiency, additional information is provided by a separate document called the SolRx Vitamin D User’s Manual Supplement; available on request.
Spot Treatment: The following pictures show some of the many possible Spot Treatment positions:
For spot treatment, the patient maintains a minimum distance of 5 to 9 inches from the wire guard and uses a specific Spot Treatment Exposure Guideline Table to determine treatment times. The treatment area can be further limited by blocking with clothing. Spot Treatment can be useful to determine a patient’s response to Narrowband UVB phototherapy, before introducing full body treatment using a larger device. Spot treatment can also be effective for Vitamin D phototherapy.
Back
Elbows
Face and hairline
Side of torso
Elbows crossed to block face
Top of feet
Chest
One knee
Side of lower leg & knees
Back with partial blockage using clothing
Side of leg
Both knees
Hand & Foot Treatment: The following pictures show some of the many possible Hand/Foot positions:
For hand or foot treatments, the patient rests their skin directly on the wire guard and periodically changes the position to ensure even coverage (because the guard wires block some of the UV light). A specific Hand & Foot Treatment exposure guideline table is used to determine treatment times. The Hand & Foot treatment times are less than the Spot treatment times because the skin surface is closer to the light source.
Hands
Feet with mounting yoke installed
Feet without mounting yoke
Hood removal – no tools !
Scope of Supply (What You Get)
The SolRx 500‑Series Hand/Foot & Spot Treatment Unit is supplied with everything that you need to start your treatments, including:
- The SolRx 500‑Series device; fully assembled and tested per Solarc’s ISO-13485 quality system
- Removable Hand/Foot Hood
- Removable mounting yoke & hardware
- New ultraviolet bulbs, burned-in and ready for use
- The SolRx 500‑Series User’s Manual, with detailed exposure guidelines for psoriasis, vitiligo, and atopic dermatitis (eczema)
- Upon request, the SolRx Vitamin D User’s Manual Supplement
- One set of ultraviolet protective goggles with clear plastic storage tube, for use during treatments
- Two keys for the switchlock
- Detachable 3-prong power supply cord, 3m/10ft long
- Heavy duty export-grade packaging
- Home Phototherapy Product Warranty: 4 years on the device; 1 year on the UV bulbs
- Home Phototherapy Arrival Guarantee: Protects you in the unlikely event the unit arrives damaged
- Shipping to most locations in Canada
There is nothing else you need to purchase.
Please see the pictures below for more details.
All devices include a new set of Philips PL-L36W01 UVB Narrowband bulbs. The bulbs are burned-in, tested in the device to ensure proper UV output, and ready for you to use. But first – please read the User’s Manual.
The device includes the valuable SolRx User’s Manual, one set of UV blocking goggles, two keys, and a detachable power supply cord. It is very important that you read the User’s Manual before operating the device.
Solarc’s Home Phototherapy Product Warranty is 4 years on the device and 1 year on the UVB bulbs.
Our Arrival Guarantee means that in the unlikely event that your unit arrives damaged, Solarc will send the replacement parts at no charge.
Shipping is included to most locations in Canada. Extra charges apply for “beyond points”. The 500-Series devices are always in stock, so you can get your unit quickly. In Ontario, this normally means 1-3 days delivery. In Canada-East and Canada-West, shipments are usually delivered in 3-6 days.
The device is fully assembled and packaged in a heavy-duty box with interior foam bolsters. The box is 30″ x 17.5″ x 17″ high. The unit is shipped with the bulbs in place. Removal and setup takes 5 to 10 minutes and can be done by a single person. All packing materials are recyclable.
Many of us at Solarc Systems are real phototherapy patients, just like you. We are genuinely interested in your success and are available to answer your questions in English, French, and Spanish.
Summary
Never before has a mid-size UVB phototherapy device been capable of so much. The SolRx 500-Series can be used as a specialized Hand & Foot device, or as a versatile Spot treatment device to treat almost any skin area imaginable.
The 500-Series is intended for use in the patient’s home and has proven to be a convenient, effective, and economical alternative to phototherapy in a clinic.
The key features of the 500-Series are:
Versatile
The 500‑Series has both Hand/Foot and Spot treatment options. The removable yoke provides full 360° rotation.
Compact
Efficient design minimizes device size and maximizes Narrowband UVB light power.
User’s Manual
Includes exposure guideline tables with actual treatment times. Critically important to the safe and effective use of the device.
Superior Warranty
4 years on the device, 1 year on the bulbs, plus our exclusive Arrival Guarantee. A quality device made in Canada.
Powerful
Modern high-irradiance 36-watt UV bulbs minimize treatment times.
Easy to Handle
A sturdy handle, low-weight, and compact dimensions make the 500‑Series very portable.
Medically Proven
The Ottawa Home Phototherapy Study has proven the effectiveness of this device. “All patients on home therapy were satisfied with their treatment.”
Free Shipping
To most locations in Canada. The 500-Series are always in stock, so you can begin your treatments right away.
Join thousands that have found relief using drug-free UVB-Narrowband light therapy.