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.

这个I-Corps项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发了一种护理点设备，该设备可用于临床环境以及家里的母亲。早产（PTB）定义为在妊娠37周之前分娩。 PTB是全世界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名。 PTB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，重要的是要识别出危险妊娠以开始预防性干预措施。不幸的是，许多研究表明，当前方法在预测早产时不足和无效。子宫颈胶原纤维网络的强度是维持妊娠不可或缺的一部分，而胶原蛋白结构的丧失对于许多早产劳动而言是固有的。使用该项目开发的技术，便携式早产成像系统（PRIMM）来监视胶原蛋白体系结构，该团队可以非侵入性地评估早期阶段劳动前劳动的风险。 PTB的风险评估可用于制定治疗策略，包括使用药物或卧床延迟出生。为婴儿提供妊娠几周的妊娠可以改善母亲和儿童的健康状况，并降低医疗保健成本。这项I-Corps项目基于开发用于扫描，成像和筛查宫颈颈椎发育不良，感染和癌症的方法。这项研究中引入的便携式早产系统（PPRIM）是一项专有技术，其中包括包含在可灵活插入鞘中的专门成像系统。该成像系统配备了一个带有集成极化器的相机，并配有定制的LED环照明器。该系统中采用的新型设计方法可以生成一个能够每个样品形成体素的矩阵数据集。值得注意的是，由于其广泛的视野，PPRIM是唯一的，该视野可确保可以在单个图像中捕获整个子宫颈。此外，其快速获取时间有助于快速有效的考试。 PPRIM旨在优先考虑易用性并在过程中提供舒适性。它的简单性是一个关键特征，因为该设备提供了宫颈区域的全面覆盖，向医疗保健提供者和患者提供了有价值的信息。该奖项反映了NSF的法定任务，并被认为值得通过基金会的知识分子优点和更广泛的影响审查标准通过评估来获得支持。