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The Development Team
A few Bri sh scien sts have brought hope to numerous infer le
couples yearning to have children by developing a ny device. This
device can eliminate the need to turn to the arduous IVF treatment.
The geniuses at the University of Southampton can now help diagnose
the causes of unexplained infer lity with their device that is as small as
a 5p coin. This sensor was devised by Professor Cheong along with a
bioelectronics engineer Professor Hywel Morgan. They have
established Vivoplex Medical, a Southampton University spin-out
company, where they started developing this device. For the clinical
trial of the gadget, the start of which is due in the next few months, the
research branch of NHS- Na onal Ins tute for Health
Research has provided them with of
£850,000 grant.
About the Revolu onary Device
The tool helps in monitoring the vital elements that have a major
impact on fer lity- temperature, oxygen levels, and pH in a
mother’s womb. It is to be implanted in the uterus by a doctor or a
nurse, just like a contracep ve coil is inserted. The process of
implanta on may not take more than a few minutes. The inserted
device then monitors the womb’s condi ons for about seven days.
The sensor is connected to an electronic device, say a smartphone
or a computer. The data that it gathers is wirelessly transmi ed to
a small transmi er that is worn on a piece of clothing. This
transmi er, in turn, transfers the data to the electronic device.
O 2 & H 2 O
Poten al Benefits
Myriads of couples around the globe are facing the problem of
infer lity. Un l now, fer lity doctors have had no reliable way of
inves ga ng the natural condi ons of the womb- its temperature,
oxygen, and pH factors. With this device, something as small and
simple as aspirin can change the condi ons of the uterus. “Not
only could it give doctors the ability to diagnose fer lity issues
sooner – and poten ally reduce the burden that fer lity treatment
brings to our pa ents – but it also has promising poten al to
inform the development of new fer lity therapies and
treatments,” says Professor Cheong.