In vivo characterization of connective tissue remodeling using infrared photoacoustic spectra

Premature cervical remodeling is a critical precursor of spontaneous preterm birth, and the remodeling process is characterized by an increase in tissue hydration. Nevertheless, current clinical measurements of cervical remodeling are subjective and detect only late events, such as cervical effaceme...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of biomedical optics 2018-12, Vol.23 (12), p.1-6
Main Authors: Qu, Yuan, Hu, Peng, Shi, Junhui, Maslov, Konstantin, Zhao, Peinan, Li, Chiye, Ma, Jun, Garcia-Uribe, Alejandro, Meyers, Karen, Diveley, Emily, Pizzella, Stephanie, Muench, Lisa, Punyamurthy, Nina, Goldstein, Naomi, Onwumere, Oji, Alisio, Mariana, Meyenburg, Kaytelyn, Maynard, Jennifer, Helm, Kristi, Altieri, Emma, Slaughter, Janessia, Barber, Sabrina, Burger, Tracy, Kramer, Christine, Chubiz, Jessica, Anderson, Monica, McCarthy, Ronald, England, Sarah K, Macones, George A, Stout, Molly J, Tuuli, Methodius, Wang, Lihong V
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Cervix Uteri - diagnostic imaging
Connective Tissue - diagnostic imaging
Equipment Design
Female
Humans
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods
Phantoms, Imaging
Photoacoustic Techniques - instrumentation
Photoacoustic Techniques - methods
Pregnancy
Special Section on Laser-Tissue Interaction and Optical Properties of Biological Tissues: Honoring Prof. Steven Jacques, a Pioneer in Biomedical Optics
Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared - instrumentation
Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared - methods
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Summary:Premature cervical remodeling is a critical precursor of spontaneous preterm birth, and the remodeling process is characterized by an increase in tissue hydration. Nevertheless, current clinical measurements of cervical remodeling are subjective and detect only late events, such as cervical effacement and dilation. Here, we present a photoacoustic endoscope that can quantify tissue hydration by measuring near-infrared cervical spectra. We quantify the water contents of tissue-mimicking hydrogel phantoms as an analog of cervical connective tissue. Applying this method to pregnant women in vivo, we observed an increase in the water content of the cervix throughout pregnancy. The application of this technique in maternal healthcare may advance our understanding of cervical remodeling and provide a sensitive method for predicting preterm birth.
ISSN:1083-3668
1560-2281
DOI:10.1117/1.JBO.23.12.121621