Ultrasound software evaluates risk of preterm birth

This technology is a program that uses ultrasound images to provide a personalized simulation of the mechanical forces on an expectant mother’s cervix to identify women who are at risk for preterm birth.

Unmet Need: Better diagnosis and assessment of preterm birth risk

Approximately 80% of preterm births result from spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) that typically cannot be predicted unless a patient has a history of sPTB. sPTB is mainly caused by premature preterm rupture of membranes, preterm labor, or cervical insufficiency. While the risk of preterm rupture or labor are difficult to predict, ultrasound imaging may be used to directly visualize the mother’s maternal anatomy. However, ultrasound imaging only provides real-time information, and cannot provide an estimate of how the maternal anatomy will respond during the pregnancy. As such, there is a need for an automated method that can use ultrasound imaging to simulate the maternal anatomy and predict risk of preterm birth.

The Technology: Ultrasound software for simulating the maternal mechanical environment to predict preterm birth risk

This technology describes a software that utilizes ultrasound images to simulate the maternal mechanical environment and predict risk of preterm birth. Using ultrasound images, this technology first creates a personalized 3D model of a women’s uterus and cervix and then employs Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to simulate the mechanical forces on the cervix. Based on the maternal mechanical environment, the technology can then predict the likelihood of preterm birth. As this technology only requires ultrasound images, it could be readily incorporated into routine ultrasound appointments using pre-existing equipment, enabling clinicians to better monitor pregnant women for risk of preterm birth. In addition, this technology could be readily modified to measure the mechanical forces in other soft tissues accessible by ultrasound imaging, such as blood vessels, kidneys, and the liver.

Applications:

• Patient-specific tool for evaluating the mechanical forces on the cervix and uterus during pregnancy
• Patient-specific tool for evaluating the mechanical forces on other soft tissues
• Diagnostic tool for identifying women at risk for preterm birth
• Research tool for developing biomedical devices that interact with the uterus, cervix, or other soft tissues

Advantages:

• Minimally invasive
• Easily incorporated into routine ultrasound appointments
• Applicable to other soft tissues accessible by ultrasound imaging

Lead Inventor:

Kristin Myers, Ph.D.

Related Publications:

• Myers KM, Feltovich H, Mazza E, Vink J, Bajka M, Wapner RJ, Hall TJ, House M. “The mechanical role of the cervix in pregnancy” J Biomech. 2015 Jun 25; 48(9): 1511-1523.

• Myers KM, Hendon CP, Gan Y, Yao W, Yoshida K, Fernandez M, Vink J, Wapner RJ. “A continuous fiber distribution material model for human cervical tissue” J Biomech. 2015 Jun 25; 48(9): 1533-1540.

• Yao W, Yoshida K, Fernandez M, Vink J, Wapner RJ, Ananth CV, Oyen ML, Myers KM. “Measuring the compressive viscoelastic mechanical properties of human cervical tissue using indentation” J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2014 Jun; 34: 18-26.

• Fernandez M, Vink J, Yoshida K, Wapner R, Myers KM. “Direct measurement of the permeability of human cervical tissue” J Biomech Eng. 2013 Feb; 135(2): 021024.

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR CU16149

• Licensing Contact: Dovina Qu