British scientists create device that diagnosis unexplained infertility
Doctors and engineers at the University of Southampton, United Kingdom have created a new device that could diagnose the cause of unexplained infertility.
They said thousands of couples could be spared gruellingIn Vitro Fertilization, IVF with the new 5p-sized device that spots infertility before any unnecessary treatment. The device records data from the womb every 30 minutes for a whole week
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines infertility as the inability of a couple to achieve conception within one year. Infertility is age related and increases with age.
Experts estimate that about one in four couples experience delay in achieving conception, in Nigeria.
The gadget monitors temperature and pH and oxygen levels in a woman’s womb – elements which have been proven to have a major impact on fertility.
Before now fertility doctors have had no reliable way of investigating these factors.
The sensor, which measures just 3.8mm – less than a sixth of an inch – across, is inserted into the womb by a nurse or doctor in a matter of minutes in the same way a contraceptive coil is implanted.
It monitors conditions in the womb for seven days, sending data wirelessly to a small transmitter, worn on a piece of underwear, which transfers the information to a smartphone or computer.
According to Ying Cheong, professor of reproductive medicine at Southampton University, “If the pH levels are not in the right range there might be something wrong with the microbiome, the bacteria in the gut. It might be as simple as treating that with probiotics.‘For oxygen levels or temperature, a vasodilator or aspirin, which increases blood flow, could be effective options.”
Professor Cheong devised the device with bioelectronics engineer Professor Hywel Morgan.
They have now founded a Southampton University spin-out company, called Vivoplex Medical, to take on its development.
The National Institute for Health Research – the research branch of the NHS – has provided an £850,000 grant to fund a clinical trial of the device, which will start in the next few months. If the trials are successful, the team plan to apply for a safety license next year.