Presenting on “From Voxels to Valsalva: Understanding the Function of the Female Pelvic Floor through Imaging and Computational Methods”.

Steve Abramowitch, PhD, W.K. Whiteford Professor of Bioengineering at University of Pittsburgh, will speak on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 10:00 am CST in Whitaker 218.

Abstract:

Women’s pelvic reproductive health, central to our existence, remains strikingly understudied, and this isn't solely due to systemic biases reflecting our collective societal discomfort with the topic. Human anatomy is intricately adapted, offering a balance between bipedal locomotion and the demands of delivering babies with heads large enough to house our advanced human brains. This unique adaptation means that animal models fall short in replicating human vaginal delivery. Moreover, the swift changes in tissue properties near childbirth render studies based on cadavers or tissues from living human donors less conclusive.

Adding to these complexities, childbirth can be a taxing ordeal, occasionally causing silent injuries to mothers. These hidden injuries can lurk in the background, only to surface years or even decades later as troubling pelvic floor disorders. These include conditions like pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and defecatory dysfunction. Alarmingly, the prevalence of these disorders is comparable to the common knee injuries that get airtime during Sunday football, yet our understanding of their onset, prediction, and prevention remains cloudy.

Given these challenges, our laboratory has focused on medical imaging with state-of-the-art computational simulations. Unfortunately, traditional computational tools, often designed with standard materials in mind, aren't always up to the task when faced with the challenging biomechanics of the pelvic region. Thus, over the last 5 years, we've leaned into advanced tools to help us formulate fresh hypotheses and insights. Our ultimate goal is to craft predictive and diagnostic tools that can significantly reduce maternal injuries during delivery, pushing the boundaries of what we know and can do for women's pelvic health.

Registration is required to attend virtually. Please register.