title: Design and development of a novel intra-vaginal pressure sensor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The influence of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) on prolapse development is poorly understood. Nonetheless, chronic cough, high BMI, or heavy lifting predisposes women to pelvic organ prolapse (POP). This study aims to develop and test a novel, wireless intra-vaginal pressure sensor (IVPS) to quantify intra-abdominal pressure changes across a range of well-defined activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  The IVPS shape was based on silicone moulds of the vagina and was designed to sit in the proximal vagina. It is thin, compliant and negligibly distorts the surrounding tissues. Repeatability was assessed in 14 volunteers performing three sets of activities (cycles). Each cycle consisted of 18 activities. The IVPS was removed and reinserted after completing either the first or second of the three-cycle exercise routine (order). Participants independently inserted and removed the device. A nested split-plot, factorial ANOVA determined the effect of order using mean IAP increase (mean) and peak-to-peak fluctuations in IAP (amplitude) as dependent variables. Descriptive analysis examined the relative change in IAP across the activities. Cronbach's alpha) determined repeatability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All women found the IVPS comfortable and easy to insert. There was excellent correlation between cycles across all variables, r > 0.935 (mean) and r > 0.964 (amplitude). The order was not statistically significant, demonstrating a highly repeatable measurement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first device to measure IAP at high frequency with the freedom of a wireless system. The IVPS aims to provide information to advise women better on suitable pre- and post-operative activities.
authors: Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Level 1, 70 Symonds Street, Auckland, New Zealand, j.kruger@auckland.ac.nz.
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Kruger
authors: Lynsey
authors: L
authors: Hayward
authors: Poul
authors: P
authors: Nielsen
authors: Denis
authors: D
authors: Loiselle
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Kirton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004867:Equipment Design; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011312:Pressure; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D014159:Transducers; D014621:Vagina / Q000502:physiology*
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