Prenatal labor accounts for 12.7% of all pregnancies. While the overall fertility rate is declining, the incidence of premature birth as a result of preterm labor in South Korea has been on the rise over the past 7 years. Not only are preterm births responsible for about half of all neonatal mortality cases, the neurological deficits in preterm infants who are still alive lead to complications later in life. , such as developmental disorders and respiratory problems.
At present, preoperative labor is only detected when mothers are expected to experience extreme symptoms, or when they undergo a routine test such as an abdominal ultrasound or a laboratory test for vaginal secretions. Early detection of preeclampsia is difficult, and there are few treatment options available other than prescription medications such as contraceptive medications, for which side effects are a cause for concern.
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) in collaboration with the research team led by Ki Hoon Ahn, Professor at OB / GYN Department, University of Korea Soul Hospital and Dr. Soo Hyun Lee, announced the team at KIST Brain Science Develop a noninvasive electroceutical Institute (BSI) for the early detection and treatment of premature labor at the same time.
Although preterm labor is generally known to have a number of causes, including naturally occurring premature shortening and premature rupture of membranes, the latter symptom is uterine shortening or -regulated. The KIST research team developed an electric in the shape of a donut that is inserted into the cervix to detect signs of uterine contractions in real time, enabling early diagnosis of preterm labor.
In addition, after sensing a uterine contraction signal, electricity can generate an electrical signal, thus acting as an electroceutical to prevent uterine rupture by relaxing the uterine muscles through stimulation. zero sympathy.
The research team tested the safety and operation of this electroceutical system for the detection and treatment of preoperative labor using mouse and pig models in advance, and confirmed that electrical stimulation emanating from the system could delay on and prevent uterine rupture.
Although research and development of new drugs (R&D) was actively carried out worldwide, their effectiveness was insufficient and there were side effects. We developed this system because there was a clinical need for modern medical equipment. “He added,” Infant mortality and the occurrence of sequelae as a result of preterm labor are expected to be reduced by the use of a first-ever medical device controlling uterine contractions. “
Professor Ki Hoon Ahn from the University of Korea Soul Hospital
Soo Hyun Lee, PhD, of KIST, said, “Electroceutical is not a medicine in the shape of a donut based on the drugs it contains, but a therapeutic tool to prevent uterine contractions through stimulation electricity, and it is likely that new concept-based medical technology will be developed later. “He said,“ The research was started as a project of the KIST-Korea University Soul Hospital Translation Research Center. In the near future, we plan to conduct clinical research with government research grants, as an inter-agency program for medical device R&D. “
Source:
National Science & Technology Research Council
Magazine Reference:
Lee, Y., et al. (2021) Non-invasive ring electrode with wireless electrical recording and excitation system for Preterm Labor monitoring. IEEE Actions on Neural Systems and Regenerative Engineering. doi.org/10.1109/TNSRE.2020.3032742.