Reliability and validity of pelvic floor muscle strength assessment using the MizCure perineometer

Abe‐Takahashi, Yui; Kitta, Takeya; Ouchi, Mifuka; Okayauchi, Minori; Chiba, Hiroki; Higuchi, Madoka; Togo, Mio; Shinohara, Nobuo

doi:10.1186/s12905-020-01127-x

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…33, 34 Pressures measured by the MizCure perineometer were within the range of PFM contraction pressures reported clinically using this device (19 mmHg ± 1 mmHg). 26 Additionally, a resting pressure of 10 mmHg was calibrated and used to evaluate the effect of lower pressures on SMP stent deformation. There are three relevant types of forces exerted on the vaginal canal to consider in the design of an in vitro simulated pelvic model: resting forces, Valsalva forces, and PFM contractions.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Polycaprolactone-based shape memory foams as self-fitting vaginal stents

Hicks,

Roberts,

Robinson

et al. 2024

Preprint

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There is an urgent critical need for a patient-forward vaginal stent that can prevent debilitating vaginal stenosis that occurs in up to 75% of patients who undergo pelvic radiation treatments and adolescent patients after vaginal reconstruction. To this end, we developed a self-fitting vaginal stent based on a shape-memory polymer (SMP) foam that can assume a secondary, compressed shape for ease of deployment. Upon insertion, the change in temperature and hydration initiates foam expansion to shape fit to the individual patient and restore the lumen of the stent to allow egress of vaginal secretions. To achieve rapid actuation at physiological temperature, we investigated the effect of architecture of two photocurable, polycaprolactone (PCL) macromers. Star-PCL-tetraacrylate displayed reduced melting temperature in the target range as compared to the linear- PCL-diacrylate. Emulsion-templating was then used to fabricate foams from 75:25 water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions that were subsequently annealed to yield high-porosity SMP foams. Upon axial shape memory testing, both foams displayed excellent shape fixity (90%); however, only the PCL star-foams displayed shape recovery (~84%) at 37C to its permanent shape. A custom mold and curing system was then used to fabricate PCL star- foams into hollow, cylindrical stents. The stent was crimped to its temporary insertion shape (50% reduction in diameter, OD ~ 11 mm) with a custom radial crimper and displayed excellent shape fixity for deployment (> 95%) and shape recovery (~ 100%). To screen vaginal stents, we developed a custom benchtop pelvic model that simulated vaginal anatomy, temperatures, and pressures with an associated computational model. A hysteroscope was used to visualize stent expansion and deformation via a scope port near the cervix of the benchtop model. A crimped SMP vaginal stent was deployed in the model and expanded to walls of the canal (~70% increase in cross-sectional area) in less than 5 minutes after irrigation with warm water. The vaginal stent demonstrated retention of vaginal caliber with less than 1% decrease in cross-sectional area under physiological pressure. Collectively, this work demonstrates the potential for SMP foams as self-fitting vaginal stents to prevent stenosis. Additionally, this work provides new open-source tools for the iterative design of other gynecological devices.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The protocol for pressure assessment was adapted from clinical reports to make direct comparisons between the model and clinical pressure values. 26 A hysteroscope (Endosee) was used to visualize stent expansion and deformation via a scope port near the cervix of the model.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%