SPTD is closely related to a premature cervical ripening. The scientific basis for the proposed project is that the elasticity modulus of a cervix is a more sensitive parameter characterizing the stage of cervical ripening. The main component of the cervical tissue is 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 (CM) measuring cervical elasticity (stiffness) and cervical length (effacement) appears to be an adequate approach for identifying pregnant women at high risk of SPTD. The CM is based on measuring applied pressure to the cervix by a tactile sensor array (stress data) and ultrasound measurement of cervix length (strain data). Tactile and ultrasound sensors are allocated on the tip of the measuring part of vaginal probe. The discovery of novel bio markers that could reliably identify women who will subsequently deliver preterm, may allow for timely medical intervention and targeted therapeutic treatments aimed at improving maternal and fetal outcomes.
