Problem being addressed[edit | edit source]
Preterm birth is one of the chief causes of infant mortality in the developing world. While progesterone is known to increase time to labor, a stable, inexpensive, easy-to-use delivery method is needed in low-resource contexts.
Detailed description of the solution[edit | edit source]
Physicians are developing an inexpensive, shelf-stable vaginal pessary that will dispense progesterone and can be administered by patients or trained birth attendants.
Designed by[edit | edit source]
- Designed by: Scott Sullivan, MD, at the Medical University of South Carolina. Link available here.
- Manufacturer location: South Carolina, USA
Funding Source[edit | edit source]
This device received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Grand Challenge Round 6 Award ($100,000).
References[edit | edit source]
Other internally generated reports[edit | edit source]
Medical University of South Carolina. (2011, September 23). Gates Foundation award grant to help in preventing preterm delivery. Retrieved January 6, 2013. Link available here.
Externally generated reports[edit | edit source]
Grand Challenges in Global Health. (2011). Preventing preterm labor in low resource settings. Retrieved January 6, 2013. Link available here.