Cervix Monitor for Elasticity and Length Measurements

The uterine cervix has to provide structural integrity and mechanical resistance to ensure normal development of the fetus as the uterus expands to accommodate the fetus growth. Preterm delivery is closely related to a premature cervical ripening. The scientific bases for the proposed project is the elasticity modulus of a cervix is a more sensitive parameter characterizing the stage of cervical ripening. The main component of the cervix tissue is a collagen. Cervical ripening is the result of realignment of collagen, degradation of collagen cross-linking due to proteolytic enzymes. These processes affect the elasticity modulus of the cervical tissue. Therefore, assessment of cervix by a device measuring cervical elasticity and cervical length appears to be and adequate approach for identifying pregnant women at high risk of spontaneous preterm delivery. The primary cervical elasticity assessment currently used in clinical practice is relying on the evaluation of the cervix as "hard, medium or soft". In the scope of this project the investigators propose to develop and clinically validate a new and cost-effective device, Cervix Monitor for detecting cervix conditions leading to SPTD and its risk assessment. The CM will be based on measuring of the applied pressure to the cervix by a tactile sensor array and ultrasound measurement of cervix length .