Ultrasound imaging to evaluate the biomechanics of the female pelvic floor

压力性尿失禁(SUI)是一个多因素问题，全球七分之一以上的女性受到影响，每年相关成本超过10亿美元，主要是因为干预措施很大程度上是不够的。拟议研究计划的最终目标是开发一种快速、廉价、可靠和有效的评估工具，用于评估女性的外在可控系统。这样的工具将使人们能够更明智地做出关于控制功能障碍的治疗管理的决策，目前管理不善可能是由于SUI的多种混淆原因。为了开发这样一个工具，完成基础科学实验以更好地了解导致外在可控机制失败的因素是至关重要的。拟议的研究项目建立在申请者迄今的工作基础上，专门旨在阐明导致外源性可控机制失败的因素--特别是盆底肌肉(PFM)、支持结缔组织和尿道外括约肌。

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a multifactorial problem that affects more than one in seven women worldwide, with annual associated costs exceeding one billion dollars, mostly because interventions are largely inadequate. The ultimate goal of the proposed research program is to develop a rapid and inexpensive, reliable and valid assessment tool for the evaluation of the extrinsic continence system in women. Such a tool would enable more informed decision making regarding the therapeutic management of continence dysfunction, which is currently poorly managed likely due to the multiple confounding causes of SUI. In order to develop such a tool, the completion of basic science experiments to better understand the factors contributing to failure of the extrinsic continence mechanism is essential. The proposed research projects build on the applicants work to date and are aimed specifically at elucidating the factors that contribute to the failure of the extrinsic continence mechanism - in particular, the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs), the supporting connective tissues, and the external urethral sphincter.