Preliminary results of cervical impedance measurements

AbstractIntroduction: In this work, we report the development and initial tests of a measuring system that is used to measure the cervical electrical impedance with the purpose of assessing cervical ripening. The objective is to offer a system that provides real-time information about the cervical electrical impedance and, indirectly, of the cervical ripening with the aim of preventing premature birth. Methods Probes were developed and initial tests were performed. The probes used had electrodes that are far apart, with the assumption that in such cases deeper layers of the cervical tissue are measured. Results Preliminary measurements were performed in a single session on a non-gravid uterus, using as excitation signal a sinusoidal wave with frequency varying from 3 kHz to 100 kHz. Results indicate, as expected, that the magnitude of the impedance is inversely proportional to the frequency, indicating capacitive impedance. Conclusion Preliminary results were very encouraging. However, further measurements must be performed to correlate the impedance to the cervical ripening.

摘要与引言：本研究报道了一款用于宫颈电阻抗（cervical electrical impedance）检测的系统的研发与初步测试，其核心目标为评估宫颈成熟度（cervical ripening）。本系统旨在提供宫颈电阻抗的实时检测数据，并间接反映宫颈成熟度，最终实现早产（premature birth）预防的目标。
方法：本研究研发了专用检测探头并开展了初步测试，所采用的探头电极间距较大，基于该配置可实现宫颈组织深层阻抗测量的假设开展实验。
结果：本研究针对非妊娠子宫（non-gravid uterus）开展了单次初步测量，激励信号采用频率范围为3 kHz至100 kHz的正弦波。实验结果与预期相符，阻抗幅值与频率呈反比关系，表明该系统检测的为容性阻抗（capacitive impedance）。
结论：本次研究的初步结果令人备受鼓舞，但仍需开展更多测量以建立宫颈电阻抗与宫颈成熟度之间的量化关联。