Tactile Imaging Markers to Characterize Female Pelvic Floor Conditions.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: van Raalte H
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4571288 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Tactile Imaging Markers to Characterize Female Pelvic Floor Conditions.
van Raalte Heather H Egorov Vladimir V
Open journal of obstetrics and gynecology 20150801 9
The Vaginal Tactile Imager (VTI) records pressure patterns from vaginal walls under an applied tissue deformation and during pelvic floor muscle contractions. The objective of this study is to validate tactile imaging and muscle contraction parameters (markers) sensitive to the female pelvic floor conditions. Twenty-two women with normal and prolapse conditions were examined by a vaginal tactile imaging probe. We identified 9 parameters which were sensitive to prolapse conditions (<i>p</i> < 0.0 ...[more]
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Project description:Introduction and hypothesisTactile 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.MethodsThe 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.ResultsWe identified 11 parameters as potential markers to characterize the female pelvic floor conditions. These parameters correlate with prolapse conditions, patient age, and parity.ConclusionsOur 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.
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