Problem being addressed
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
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
- Designed by: Scott Sullivan, MD, at the Medical University of South Carolina. Link available here.
- Manufacturer location: South Carolina, USA
Funding Source
This device received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Grand Challenge Round 6 Award ($100,000).
References
Other internally generated reports
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
Grand Challenges in Global Health. (2011). Preventing preterm labor in low resource settings. Retrieved January 6, 2013. Link available here.