PS-OCT to assess cervical changes predictive of birth
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Polarisation-sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography (PS-OCT) for assessing cervical remodelling changes predictive of spontaneous human birth.
IRAS ID
362951
Contact name
DOC Anumba
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
The structure of the cervix plays a big role in starting and progressing labour. The alignment of collagen fibres mainly influences this structure. As the cervix gets ready for labour, collagen fibres loosen and change alignment, becoming softer. There is currently no easy way to assess the organisation and rearrangement of cervical collagen in the clinic to determine the readiness of the tissue for labour and birth.
Recently, we have employed a technique called PS-OCT, which measures the reflection of light by collagen (a property known as “birefringence”), to map the organisation of collagen in the cervix. Using PS-OCT to capture cervical collagen birefringence could assist us in detecting changes in the cervix and predicting the risks of premature birth, as well as evaluating the cervix's readiness for labour. We have now constructed a cervical PS-OCT device for this purpose. Our next step is to assess whether this method can be used accurately to examine the cervix and whether women would find it acceptable for use during pregnancy.
We will evaluate collagen arrangement in cervical tissue samples from sheep and humans using PS-OCT. The human samples will be obtained from women who have undergone hysterectomy to treat a medical condition. We will verify the PS-OCT findings by examining the same tissue with a microscope. Then, we will determine if repeated PS-OCT assessments on pregnant women, by the same and different observers, yield consistent results. We will also ask participating women whether they find the technique acceptable. All the data will assist us in designing studies to assess whether PS-OCT can predict cervical preparedness and the timing of labour.
By the end of the studies, we will have a better understanding of how PS-OCT can aid in assessing cervical readiness for birth, and whether it is acceptable to women.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/YH/0249
Date of REC Opinion
17 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion