Nearly one quarter of the four million annual births in the United States are performed through chemical or mechanical labor induction. Currently, the most widely used methods of mechanical induction are variations of balloon catheters, which require a procedure involving extensive handling of the cervix. Through design, testing, and consultation with the client, a device was devised that allowed the physician to attach the device directly to their fingers, reducing the time and cervical handling needed to successfully insert the device. The proposed device would incorporate two straps to affix it to the finger of the physician, and a balloon at the proximal tip to reduce the time between insertion and inflation of the balloon.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Brochu, Katie Elizabeth
• Kurtze, Jocelyn Beverly
• Flaxington, Taylor Frances

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042717-100851

Advisor

• Rolle, Marsha Whitney

Year

• 2017

Sponsor

• UMass Memorial

Date created

• 2017-04-27

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biomedical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright