Development of Spatial-Temporal Analysis Tools for Uterine Biomagnetic Signals

描述(申请人提供)：在阿肯色州医学大学(UAMS)，我们安装了世界上第一个非侵入性生物磁感应系统，该系统经过专门修改和设计，用于研究母婴健康的各个方面。该系统可以记录子宫收缩电活动对应的磁场，并提供所需的时空信息。我们的初步研究表明，通过记录子宫磁肌图(MMG)信号，我们可以在收缩期间定位子宫上的激活区域。这使我们能够探索子宫收缩的起源和传播，尽管起搏器部位从一种收缩转移到另一种收缩。我们可以通过绘制磁场分布图来定位起搏器，并通过获得传感器在每次收缩期间活跃的百分比来量化扩散，传感器分布在整个产妇的腹部。为了利用这一仪器获得的时空分辨率，我们需要进一步增强计算和分析工具，将其开发为一种临床设备，用于预测足月儿和早产儿的分娩开始。在这项建议中，我们的目标是开发技术来改进子宫磁肌图活动的提取、识别和验证过程。通过实现这一目标，我们可以努力实现一个全面的工具和方案，这将有助于预测分娩开始。这种能力将对管理长期患者，特别是对早产高危患者的管理有很大的临床益处。我们希望通过首先改善数据收集和信号提取的可靠性来促进目前的发展状况。然后，我们希望开发验证信号一致性的技术，以便进行数据解释。本课题的总体目标包括：(1)提取与检测：改进子宫MMG信号的提取方法，开发高效的时空子宫MMG信号分离算法。(2)量化：我们建议对有助于预测分娩开始的空间和时间参数进行量化。(3)特征：作为进一步的步骤，我们计划表征作为距离的函数的激活区、传播速度和方向以及活动的传播。(4)建模：建立一个简单的双域模型，并探讨其与MMG记录的关系。相关性：预测足月儿和早产儿分娩开始的客观技术将对妊娠管理有很大的临床益处。所获得的信息可以产生侧重于预防或控制早产的具体应用的方法，从而减少早产的发生率。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): At University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) we have installed the world's first non-invasive biomagnetic sensing system that was specifically modified and designed to study various aspects of maternal-fetal health. This system can record the magnetic field corresponding to the electrical activity of uterine contraction and provide requisite spatial-temporal information. Our preliminary studies show that by recording uterine magnetomyographic (MMG) signals we can localize the area of activation over the uterus during a contraction. This allows us to explore the origin and propagation of uterine contraction despite the shifting of the pacemaker site from one contraction to another. We can localize the pacemaker by mapping the magnetic field distribution and quantify the spread by obtaining the percent of sensors active during each contraction with sensors spread over the entire maternal abdomen. To take advantage of the spatial-temporal resolution obtained by this instrument, we need to further enhance computational and analysis tools to develop it as a clinical device to predict the onset of labor both in the case of term and preterm patients. In this proposal our goal is to develop techniques to improve extraction, recognition and validation process of uterine magnetomyographic activity. By accomplishing this goal we can work towards achieving a comprehensive instrumentation and protocol that would aid in prediction of onset of labor. This ability would be of great clinical benefit for the management of the term patient and especially for the management of patients at high risk for premature delivery. We would like to advance the present state of development by first improving data collection and reliability of signal extraction. Then we want to develop techniques for verifying consistency of the signal so that data interpretation can proceed. The overall goals of the project include: (1) EXTRACTION and DETECTION: Improve methods for extraction and development of efficient separation algorithms for the spatial-temporal uterine MMG signals. (2) QUANTIFICATION: We propose to quantify the spatial and temporal parameters that could be would aid in prediction of the onset of labor. (3) CHARECTERIZATION: As a further step we plan to characterize the regions of activation, propagation velocity and direction, and the spread of activity as a function of distance.(4) MODELING: Develop a simple bidomain model and explore its relationship to MMG recordings. Relevance: An objective technique to predict the onset of labor in term and preterm patients would be of great clinical benefit to aid in management of pregnancies. Information gained can result in methods focusing on specific applications to prevent or control preterm labor thereby reducing the incidence of preterm birth.