Abstract
Delivery of a baby before 37 weeks of gestation
is called preterm birth. It is a major
cause of infant deaths, neurological disorders, long-term cognitive and other
health issues related to hearing, vision, digestion, and breathing in infants. Hence, it is important to identify at-risk pregnancies to reduce preterm births.FIU inventors have developed a device and a method that uses optical and polarization-sensitive techniques to assess
preterm birth risks in pregnant women. A pregnant women’s cervix becomes softer
due to a decrease in pyridinoline cross-link concentration and proteoglycan
concentration which leads to disorganization of collagen in the cervix. A weak
structured cervix can result in preterm birth. The technology makes it possible to measure collagen organization in the cervix, assess cervix
health, characterize the composition and structure of cervical tissue and
measure preterm labor risk. In vivo images of the cervical tissue using the
Mueller matrix polarimetry can also be analyzed. Cervical tissue maps can be
generated to be used as care provider tools. The invention can potentially
reduce preterm birth. We are looking for business partners to
commercialize this method.
Benefit
Can help reduce the rate of preterm births by giving physicians information about pregnant women’s cervix Can help initiate preventative interventions or therapeutic strategies for at-risk pregnancies to delay the birth
Market Application
The method has clinical applications and can be used in women’s reproductive health treatments
Brochure
