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August 06, 2010

Medical Device To Detect Early Labor, Prevent Premature Births


Biomechanical engineering students at Johns Hopkins and their faculty adviser have built a prototype ring designed to detect electrical signals from uterine contractions in order to prevent premature delivery. The “CervoCheck” is currently being tested in animals with promising results. 

The CervoCheck is a ring made of medical grade biocompatible silicone elastomer and contains embedded sensors.  It’s designed to be compressed and inserted into the vaginal canal at a doctor’s office or hospital to pick up signs of early labor and give physicians more ability to delay preterm deliveries.

One team member explained: “with these sensors, we’re detecting signals directly from the places in the body where they originate, as opposed to trying to pick them up through the abdominal wall.”

The device is intended to reduce expenses of premature births; trends such multiple births and the increasing number of older women having babies are associated with a greater chance of preterm labor. The developers estimated savings of more than $44,000 for each premature birth prevented with the device.   They’ve obtained a provisional patent and two of them are working full-time to commercialize the CervoCheck. Via Johns Hopkins University.


Ms. Graham is a writer and editor with a current focus on health and wellness. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Erin Monda
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