How do mechanical properties of the human uterus change throughout pregnancy, and how do they differ across uterine anatomical locations? We combine video extensometry, mechanical testing and computational modeling to explore in our recently published manuscript.
Our new manuscript reports measurements from 2D ultrasound of uterine and cervical growth during pregnancy and a design table driven method to build patient-specific models.
We are so proud of our undergraduate and masters level students, who recently wrapped up their summer research projects! Their final presentations were recorded and we are so excited to share!
Tara Atkinson
Tara is currently a masters student in Mechanical Engineering. Her project this summer focused on developing a parametric model of monkey uteri.
Anabella Advincula
Anabella is an incoming freshman student at Barnard College. She led a team in the Columbia University Summer Design Challenge to reimagine prenatal care for better telemedicine visits. Other members of the team were Tara Atkinson, Arielle Feder, and Imani Phillips.
Lizzie Ayton
Lizzie is an undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering who joined the Myers lab this summer to work on finite element modeling of the rodent reproductive tract. She focused on building a parametric model of the mouse uterus and cervix.
A) parametric solid model of nonpregnant mouse uterine horn and cervix generated from ultrasound data B) Preliminary finite element analysis mapping the first principal strain with a 1kPa pressure applied to the inner surface. The model has a neo-Hookean material applied to the entire body. The ultrasounds measurements were from Conway et al. “Biaxial biomechanical properties of the nonpregnant murine cervix and uterus” and Jennifer Anderson, Purdue University (SB3C 2020).
Divya Rajasekharan & Arielle Feder
Divya and Arielle are undergraduate students in Mechanical Engineering who worked jointly this summer to build parametric patient-specific models of the uterus and cervix for late gestation. They also worked on modeling additional structures important for birthing simulations, the pelvic bone (Divya) and vaginal canal (Arielle). Their videos have been uploaded to Columbia Academic Commons, and can be found using the links below:
The lab is listening and learning about ways we can end racial disparities in Women’s Health. Beyond today, we aim to infuse our academic practice with these lessons and open ourselves to more listening and more action. #ShutDownSTEM #BlackLivesMatter #BlackMamasMatter
Are you interested in getting into Women’s Health research as a bioengineer? Here’s a perfect place to start! The Royal Society Publishing has recently published a special issue of Interface Focus entitled
Bioengineering in women’s health, Volume 1: female health and pathology and Volume 2: pregnancy—from implantation to parturition. Both issues are organized by Kristin Miller, Kristin Myers and Michelle Oyen and the articles for both issues can be accessed directly at Volume 1 and Volume 2.
