Preterm birth is defined as delivery before 37 weeks of gestation and is a major factor in infant mortality worldwide. Premature birth can cause lifelong developmental disabilities for the child. Unfortunately, there is a significant lack of tools to assess preterm birth risk, which hinders patient care and the development of new treatments.
The aim of this effort was to develop a speculum-free, portable preterm imaging system (PPRIM) for cervical imaging; to test the polarization properties of birefringent samples using the PPRIM system; and to test the PPRIM under an IRB on healthy, non-pregnant volunteers for visualization and polarization analysis of cervical images.
The PPRIM can perform 4 × 3 Mueller-matrix imaging to characterize the remodeling of the uterine cervix during pregnancy. The PPRIM is built with a polarized imaging probe and a flexible insertable sheath made with a compatible flexible rubber-like material to maximize comfort and ease of use.
STROBE scientists demonstrated that the combination of Mueller-matrix imagery into a portable imaging system holds strong potential to aid in the early diagnosis and assistance for those at risk of preterm birth.
This device eliminates the need for a speculum used in standard clinical cervical examination. It can allow the system to be self-inserted, and future studies will focus on point-of-care testing.
The polarimetric results shown in this paper match well with earlier data on similar samples. This system can help reduce patient dropout during prenatal care. This tool’s ease of use and flexibility make it very suitable for in vivo polarization-sensitive imaging beyond the cervix. It could be added to various diagnostic tools focused on women’s health. With current healthcare trends emphasizing telemedicine and remote care, the PPRIM can provide better access and communication between healthcare providers and women through new information channels that weren’t available before.