Preventing Preterm Birth with 'Jeongi-Yak'

Early Diagnosis of Preterm Labor by Detecting Uterine Contraction Signals with Non-invasive Electronic Medicine
Preventing Preterm Labor by Suppressing Uterine Contractions through Electrical Signals Regulating the Autonomic Nervous System

(Photo by National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) website)

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] An electronic medicine that diagnoses and treats preterm labor early has been developed. Since premature birth due to preterm labor accounts for half of neonatal mortality, this technology is expected to contribute to reducing neonatal death rates.

The Korea Institute of Science and Technology announced on the 7th that Dr. Suhyun Lee's neuroscience research team collaborated with Professor Kihoon Ahn's obstetrics and gynecology team at Korea University Anam Hospital to develop a non-invasive electronic medicine capable of early diagnosis and treatment of preterm labor. The related research results were published in the latest issue of the IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, an international journal of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Conceptual diagram of wireless uterine contraction signal recording using an electronic drug inserted into the cervix of a pregnant pig and uterine contraction delay/inhibition experiment through electrical stimulation. A transmitter connected to the electronic drug is separately attached to the pig's back to measure uterine contraction signals.

The research team developed a donut-shaped neural electrode that can be inserted into the cervix of pregnant women to detect uterine contraction signals in real time, enabling early diagnosis of preterm labor. After detecting the uterine contraction signals, this electrode sends electrical signals stimulating the sympathetic nerves to relax the uterine muscles, thereby preventing preterm labor. Generally, preterm labor is known to be caused by various factors such as natural early labor and premature rupture of membranes, but irregular uterine contractions are a common symptom.

The research team also verified the diagnosis and treatment process of preterm labor through experiments on mice and pigs. Professor Kihoon Ahn stated, "Although new drug development for uterine contraction suppression has been actively pursued worldwide, the effects have been minimal and side effects have occurred, creating a need for new alternatives," adding, "We expect that this first uterine contraction control medical device will dramatically reduce infant mortality and sequelae caused by preterm labor."

Dr. Suhyun Lee explained, "The developed donut-shaped electronic medicine is a novel medical technology that suppresses uterine contractions using electrical stimulation rather than conventional chemical drug-based treatments," and added, "We plan to conduct clinical research with government support such as the Pan-Government Medical Device Project in the future."

Image of an electronic medicine in the shape of a manufactured donut

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.