Dataset Information

Characterizing female pelvic floor conditions by tactile imaging.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction and hypothesis

Tactile imaging (TI) is the high-definition pressure mapping technology which allows recording pressure patterns from vaginal walls under applied load and during pelvic floor muscle contraction. The objective of this study was to identify new tactile imaging and muscle contraction markers to characterize female pelvic floor conditions.

Methods

The study subjects included 22 women with normal and prolapse conditions. They were examined by a new vaginal tactile imaging probe that images the entire vagina, the pelvic floor support structures, and pelvic floor muscle contractions.

Results

We identified 11 parameters as potential markers to characterize the female pelvic floor conditions. These parameters correlate with prolapse conditions, patient age, and parity.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the tactile imaging markers such as pressure, pressure gradient, and dynamic pressure response during muscle contraction may be used for further quantitative characterization of female pelvic floor conditions.

SUBMITTER: van Raalte H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4371815 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundQuantitative biomechanical characterization of pelvic supportive structures and functions in vivo is thought to provide insight into pathophysiology of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). An innovative approach-vaginal tactile imaging-allows biomechanical mapping of the female pelvic floor to quantify tissue elasticity, pelvic support, and pelvic muscle functions. The Vaginal Tactile Imager (VTI) records high definition pressure patterns from vaginal walls under an applied tissue deformation and during pelvic floor muscle contractions.ObjectiveTo explore an extended set of 52 biomechanical parameters for differentiation and characterization of POP relative to normal pelvic floor conditions.Methods96 subjects with normal and POP conditions were included in the data analysis from multi-site observational, case-controlled studies; 42 subjects had normal pelvic floor conditions and 54 subjects had POP. The VTI, model 2S, was used with an analytical software package to calculate automatically 52 biomechanical parameters for 8 VTI test procedures (probe insertion, elevation, rotation, Valsalva maneuver, voluntary muscle contractions in 2 planes, relaxation, and reflex contraction). The groups were equalized for subject age and parity.ResultsThe ranges, mean values, and standard deviations for all 52 VTI parameters were established. 33 of 52 parameters were identified as statistically sensitive (p < 0.05; t-test) to the POP development. Among these 33 parameters, 11 parameters show changes (decrease) in tissue elasticity, 8 parameters show deteriorations in pelvic support and 14 parameters show weakness in muscle functions for POP versus normal conditions.ConclusionsThe biomechanical mapping of the female pelvic floor with the VTI provides a unique set of parameters characterizing POP versus normal conditions. These objectively measurable biomechanical transformations of pelvic tissues, support structures, and functions under POP may be used in future research and practical applications.

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Project description:IntroductionQuantitative biomechanical characterization of pelvic supportive structures and functions in vivo is thought to provide insight into the pathophysiology of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Vaginal tactile imaging is an innovative approach to the biomechanical mapping of the female pelvic floor to quantify tissue elasticity, pelvic support, and pelvic muscle functions. The Vaginal Tactile Imager (VTI) records high definition pressure patterns through the vaginal walls under an applied tissue deformation and during pelvic floor muscle contractions.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to explore an extended set of 52 biomechanical parameters of the female pelvis for the differentiation and characterization of uterine prolapse relative to normal pelvic floor conditions.MethodsSixty subjects were included in the data analysis from observational and case-controlled studies. Out of these 60, forty-two subjects had normal pelvic floor conditions and 18 subjects had uterine prolapse (no anterior, no posterior prolapse). The VTI, model 2S, was used with an analytical software package to automatically calculate 52 biomechanical parameters for 8 VTI test procedures (probe insertion, elevation, rotation, Valsalva maneuver, voluntary muscle contractions in 2 planes, relaxation, and reflex contraction).ResultsThe ranges, mean values, and standard deviations for all 52 VTI parameters were established. Twenty-two of 52 parameters were identified as statistically sensitive (p < 0.05; t-test) to the development of uterine prolapse. Among these 21 parameters, 6 parameters show changes (decrease) in tissue elasticity, 5 parameters show deteriorations in pelvic support, and 10 parameters show weakness in muscle functions for uterine prolapsed versus normal conditions.ConclusionThe biomechanical mapping of the female pelvic floor with the VTI provides a unique set of parameters characterizing uterine prolapse versus normal conditions. These objectively measurable biomechanical transformations of pelvic tissues, support structures, and functions under the prolapse conditions may be useful in future research and practical applications.

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