title: A Parameterized Ultrasound-Based Finite Element Analysis of the Mechanical Environment of Pregnancy.
abstract: Preterm birth is the leading cause of childhood mortality and can lead to health risks in survivors. The mechanical functions of the uterus, fetal membranes, and cervix have dynamic roles to protect the fetus during gestation. To understand their mechanical function and relation to preterm birth, we built a three-dimensional parameterized finite element model of pregnancy. This model is generated by an automated procedure that is informed by maternal ultrasound measurements. A baseline model at 25 weeks of gestation was characterized, and to visualize the impact of cervical structural parameters on tissue stretch, we evaluated the model sensitivity to (1) anterior uterocervical angle, (2) cervical length, (3) posterior cervical offset, and (4) cervical stiffness. We found that cervical tissue stretching is minimal when the cervical canal is aligned with the longitudinal uterine axis, and a softer cervix is more sensitive to changes in the geometric variables tested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027 e-mail: arw2181@columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Andrea R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Westervelt
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027 e-mail: mjf2152@columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111 e-mail: mhouse@tuftsmedicalcenter.org.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: House
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032 e-mail: jyv2101@cumc.columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Joy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vink
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032 e-mail: cn2281@cumc.columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Chia-Ling
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Nhan-Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032 e-mail: rw2181@cumc.columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wapner
authors.affiliation: Mem. ASME Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027 e-mail: kmm2233@columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Kristin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Myers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D011247:Pregnancy; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014599:Uterus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging