Emerging technologies in pediatric gynecology: new paradigms in women's health care

Abstract

Purpose of review-The current review highlights the complexity of the pediatric and adolescent gynecology subspecialty as well as the recent and exciting opportunities for innovation within the field.Recent findings-The opportunities for concept, treatment, instrument, and knowledge-transfer innovation to better serve the specific needs of pediatric gynecology patients include novel approaches to neovagina creation using magnets, improving postoperative vaginal wound healing through newly designed and degradable vaginal stents, and complex Mullerian reconstructive surgical planning using virtual reality immersive experiential training.

Biomaterials science and engineering to address unmet needs in women’s health

“…Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology has only emerged recently as a distinct subspecialty within the broader field of Obstetrics and Gynecology, to cover the time from infancy to young adulthood. 55 Adult-sized medical tools and technologies are not always appropriate for treating pediatric patients, and a new pipeline for innovations in this field is needed. 55 Another under-researched and underserved community are transgender patients.…”

“…55 Adult-sized medical tools and technologies are not always appropriate for treating pediatric patients, and a new pipeline for innovations in this field is needed. 55 Another under-researched and underserved community are transgender patients. 56 The small literature that does exist is focused on fertility preservation and on cervical cancer and HIV screening, with less discussion of contraception and pregnancy.…”

Star-PCL shape memory polymer (SMP) scaffolds with tunable transition temperatures for enhanced utility

“…In bone tissue regeneration, a scaffold should not impede neotissue formation (B8-12 weeks), 39,40 whereas gynecological stents that are resorbed (B1-3 months) may eliminate postoperative removal. 14,41 Degradation rates of scaffolds were evaluated under base-catalyzed conditions via gravimetric (Fig. 4a-d, and Table S8, ESI †), visual inspection (Fig.…”

“…We also recently proposed porous, selfexpanding vaginal stents that could be inserted in a fixed, compressed state, and then shape recovered in situ to provide patency. 14,15 Such a device would require a T m r 37 1C. Other devices would also ideally shape recovery at body temperature (e.g., vascular stents, surgical sutures, etc.).…”

Editorial: Insights in obstetric and pediatric pharmacology: 2021

“…With our Insights 2021 Research Topic presented herein we also appreciate that there is still much to do. Previous works have pointed out some of the challenges in our domain; many of these relate to the still conservative nature of clinical research in obstetric and pediatric populations and sub-populations ( Blehar et al, 2013 ; Grimsrud et al, 2015 ) but also include technologies that have yet to expand to accommodate the unique nuances that define these populations ( Wancura et al, 2019 ; Scientific and Technical Advisory Council, 2020 ) as well as the gaps in physiologic data that needs to be first generated and then shared among the relevant stakeholders ( Moya et al, 2014 ; Chan et al, 2021 ) in our ecosystem. Fifteen fantastic papers have been accepted in this thematic topic covering a multitude of issues but most highlighting the knowledge gaps that remain and the continued effort required to fill these gaps.…”