Uterine atony, a loss of uterine muscle tone after cesarean birth, affects more than three million women each year. It can lead to potentially fatal postpartum hemorrhage, and treatment in low-resource clinical setting is often inadequate.

Detailed description of the solution

The Mechanical Uterine Clamp applies three different levels of compression to the uterus after a cesarean section. This device is simple to use and an inexpensive alternative to uterine massage.

Designed by

• Designed by: This device was designed by a team of five engineering students at the University of Virginia through a course offered by Timothy Allen, an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering. These students are: Kimberly Everett, Vinu Ilakkuvan, Lara Wooten, Katie Youell and Kathryn Barbante. PDF available here.
• Manufacturer location: The University of Virginia, USA

Funding Source

This project received funds ($16,100) from the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance in 2008. Link available here.

References