Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed new imaging technology that can produce 3D maps showing the magnitude and distribution of uterine contractions in real time and across the entire surface of the uterus during labor.
“Imaging tech produces real-time 3D maps of uterine contractions during labor” by Jacquelyn Kauffman
Yong Wang, PhD, is an associate professor of obstetrics & gynecology, electrical & systems engineering, radiology, and of biomedical engineering is a senior author of this paper.
“With this new imaging technology, we are basically upgrading the standard way of measuring labor contractions — called tocodynamometry — from one-dimensional tracing to four-dimensional mapping. This kind of information could help improve care for patients with high-risk pregnancies and identify ways to prevent preterm birth, which occurs in about 10% of pregnancies globally.”
Yong Wang, PHD