I-Corps: Portable Preterm Imaging System

I-Corps：便携式早产儿成像系统

• 批准号: 2402620
• 负责人: Jessica Ramella-Roman
• 金额: $ 5万
• 依托单位: Florida International University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2024
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2024-02-15 至 2025-01-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2402620&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Corps; Portable; Preterm; Imaging; System

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is the development of a point-of-care device that can be used in clinical settings as well as by mothers at home. Preterm birth (PTB) is defined as the delivery of a baby before 37 weeks of gestation. PTB is the number one cause of infant death worldwide and it also the number one cause of infant neurological disorders and long-term cognitive impairment. PTB leads to health issues, including problems with hearing, vision, digestion, and breathing. To decrease preterm births, it is important to identify at-risk pregnancies to initiate preventive interventions. Unfortunately, numerous studies indicate that current methods are insufficient and ineffective in predicting preterm birth. The strength of the cervix collagen fiber network is integral to maintaining gestation, and loss of collagen architecture is intrinsic to many preterm labor occurrences. Using the technology developed in this project, the Portable Preterm Imaging System (PRIMM) to monitor collagen architecture, the team can non-invasively assess the risk of pre-term labor at early stages. The risk assessment of PTB could be used to formulate a therapeutic strategy, including using medications or bedrest to delay birth. Affording the infant a few additional weeks of gestation could improve health outcomes for both mother and child as well as reduce healthcare costs.This I-Corps project is based on the development of a method for scanning, imaging, and screening cervical dysplasia, infections, and cancer. The Portable Preterm Imaging System (PPRIM) introduced in this research is a proprietary technology comprising a specialized imaging system enclosed within a flexible insertable sheath. This imaging system is equipped with a camera featuring integrated polarizers, accompanied by a custom-made LED ring illuminator. The novel design approach employed in this system enables the generation of a matrix dataset capable of forming voxel per sample. Notably, the PPRIM is unique due to its wide field of view which ensures the entire cervix can be captured in a single image. Furthermore, its fast acquisition time facilitates quick and efficient examinations. The PPRIM has been designed to prioritize ease of use and provide comfort during the procedure. Its simplicity is a key feature, as the device offers comprehensive coverage of the cervical area, delivering valuable information to healthcare providers and patients alike.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

该 I-Corps 项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发一种可用于临床环境以及母亲在家中使用的护理点设备。早产 (PTB) 被定义为婴儿在妊娠 37 周之前分娩。 PTB 是全球婴儿死亡的第一大原因，也是婴儿神经系统疾病和长期认知障碍的第一大原因。 PTB 会导致健康问题，包括听力、视力、消化和呼吸问题。为了减少早产，识别高危妊娠以启动预防干预措施非常重要。不幸的是，大量研究表明，目前的方法在预测早产方面不足且无效。宫颈胶原纤维网络的强度对于维持妊娠至关重要，而胶原蛋白结构的丧失是许多早产发生所固有的。利用该项目开发的技术——便携式早产成像系统（PRIMM）来监测胶原蛋白结构，该团队可以在早期阶段无创地评估早产风险。 PTB 的风险评估可用于制定治疗策略，包括使用药物或卧床休息来推迟分娩。为婴儿提供额外几周的妊娠时间可以改善母亲和孩子的健康状况，并降低医疗费用。I-Corps 项目基于扫描、成像和筛查宫颈发育不良、感染和癌症的方法的开发。本研究中引入的便携式早产儿成像系统 (PPRIM) 是一项专有技术，由封装在柔性可插入护套内的专用成像系统组成。该成像系统配备了具有集成偏光器的相机，并配有定制的 LED 环形照明器。该系统采用的新颖设计方法能够生成能够形成每个样本体素的矩阵数据集。值得注意的是，PPRIM 的独特之处在于其宽视野，确保可以在单个图像中捕获整个子宫颈。此外，其快速采集时间有助于快速高效的检查。 PPRIM 的设计优先考虑易用性并在手术过程中提供舒适感。其简单性是一个关键特征，因为该设备可全面覆盖宫颈区域，为医疗保健提供者和患者等提供有价值的信息。该奖项反映了 NSF 的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优点和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。