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，影响全球超过七分之一的女性，每年相关费用超过10亿美元，主要是因为干预措施在很大程度上不充分。本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来评估女性外源性失禁系统。这种工具将使对失禁功能障碍的治疗管理做出更明智的决策，目前由于SUI的多种混杂原因，失禁功能障碍管理不善。为了开发这样的工具，完成基础科学实验以更好地了解导致外在控制机制失效的因素是必不可少的。拟议的研究项目建立在申请人迄今为止的工作基础上，旨在明确阐明导致外源性失禁机制失败的因素-特别是盆底肌肉（PFMs），支撑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.