1. Dr. Clark Hung, Faculty Advisor
DilaPro
Benjamin Lee
Anne Kwei
Matthew Lee
Grace Shih
Dr. Clark Hung, Faculty Advisor
October 20, 2009

2. Design Problem Many types of cervical dilation procedures
Various dilation requirements
Differing physiologies between patients
No one typical cervix
Current devices have limited scope and functionality
Ben

3. Procedures and Complications
2.5 million procedures per year in the US
Diagnostic sampling of uterine tissue
Treatment of cervical stenosis
Planned and unplanned pregnancy termination
Induction of labor
Complications due to uncontrolled dilation
Tissue damage
Insufficient dilation
Inadvertent induction of labor
Excessive patient discomfort
Anne

4. Differing Physiologies
Variable cervix composition
Not pregnant
Currently pregnant
Gestational age
Previous deliveries
Matt
Myers, K. M.; Paskaleva, A. P.; House, M.; Socrate, S., Mechanical and biochemical properties of human cervical tissue. Acta Biomater 2008, 4 (1),

5. Current Devices Mechanical Dilators Osmotic Dilators
Dilation to small diameters
Osmotic Dilators
Intermediate to large diameters
Laminaria (natural) and Dilapan (synthetic)
Pharmacologic Agents
Misoprostol (prostaglandin)
Labor Inducer
Foley catheter
Grace

6. Current Device Limitations
Design Constraints and Specifications
Mechanical
Osmotic
Safety
Withstand cervical pressure for duration of procedure
YES
Must not affect patient well-being
Nonabrasive and nonreactive with cervical wall
Functionality
Must fit into the cervix
Dilate fully NO
Portable, lightweight
Accuracy
Sense and adjust to cervical and uterine pressures
Accurately and consistently apply radial pressures
Adaptability
Adaptable to all procedures requiring cervical dilation
Adaptable to unique, individual cervix physiologies
Ben

7. Design Brief “Smart” Cervical Dilator Expandable device in the cervix
External processing unit
Feedback system that allows the processing unit to dynamically control and track progress of dilation
Portable and comfortable for patient
Anne

8. Related Products Angioplasty balloons Stents Inflatable Car Jack
Expandable
Biostable
Ease in design, construction, and application
Stents
Structurally strong
Chemically inert
Used to hold open constricted tubes
Inflatable Car Jack
Withstands high external pressures
Grace

9. DilaPro Balloon
Anne
Lightweight
Balloon is easily adjustable

10. DilaPro Stent Utilizes mechanical strength of a stent
Matt
Utilizes mechanical strength of a stent
Stent can lock in place

11. DilaPro Osmotic Dilator
Ben
Utilizes osmotic forces to assist in dilation
Avoids risks of pressurized air

12. Thank You! Dr. Clark Hung Dr. Elizabeth Hillman Dr. Rachel Masch
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Elizabeth Hillman
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Rachel Masch
Associate Director of Family Planning, Beth Israel Hospital
Dr. Rujin Ju
Beth Israel Hospital
Keith Yeager
Senior Staff Associate, Laboratory Manager
Lauren Grosberg
Graduate Student in Biomedical Engineering