The Press-Dispatch
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Tech could help pregnant women detect complications By Craig Goergen Purdue News Serviece cgoergen@purdue.edu Purdue University re- searchers are developing an app and wearable tech- nology to enable pregnant women to use a smartphone to detect whether they have or are susceptible to a con- dition that could lead to se- rious health complications for them or their unborn child. The team, led by Craig Goergen, an assistant pro- fessor in Purdue's Weldon School of Biomedical En- gineering, is developing a low-cost automated ear- ly detection sensor of pre- eclampsia, a pregnancy complication caused by high blood pressure that can cause organ damage and premature birth. "We hope this will allow us to predict and prevent preeclampsia and reduce the number of children born prematurely each year. This could also re- duce the long-term health complications for mothers," Goergen said. The researchers re- ceived a $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant from the Bill & Me- linda Gates Foundation in November. The program is part of a family of initia- tives by the foundation fos- tering innovation to solve key global and health de- velopment problems. The World Health Or- ganization estimates that nearly 10 percent of all ma- ternal deaths in A frica and Asia are associated with hy- pertensive disorders dur- ing pregnancy and 25 per- cent of all maternal deaths in Latin America. Most of those deaths are avoidable, according to the WHO. "The Gates Foundation is looking for something that's going to have an im- pact in the immediate fu- ture in low- and middle-in- come countries," Goergen said. "They are interested because the treatment and management of preeclamp- sia in sub-Saharan A frica, India, China and other de- veloping countries is typi- cally very poor." Blood pressure Purdue University researchers are developing an app and wearable technology that will allow pregnant wom- en to use a smartphone to detect whether they have or are susceptible to a pre- eclampsia, a complication caused by high blood pres- sure that can cause organ damage and premature birth. The device uses the supine pressor test, which measures whether a wom- an's blood pressure increas- es when she changes posi- tion from lying on her left side to lying on her back. If the diastolic pressure increases enough, it is a warning sign that a wom- an is susceptible to pre- eclampsia. (Image provid- ed) Download image Dr. David Reuter of Se- attle Children's Hospital, a Purdue alumnus and a member of the research team, said the primary goal of pediatricians is to prevent disease. "Addressing the prob- lem of prematurity and pre- eclampsia could have pro- found implications for wom- en and children globally," Reuter said. "Our scientif- ic insights provide an excit- ing road map to start revo- lutionizing the care of preg- nant women." Other team members include George Wodicka, the Dane A. Miller Head of Biomedical Engineering at Purdue, and Kirk Forster, a senior research engineer at the Weldon School. The team is working to combine available existing technolo- gies such as smartphones, a conventional inflatable blood pressure cuff, and a wireless accelerometer (which measures body po- sition) to build an innova- tive prototype that will de- tect preeclampsia before it develops. The most innovative aspect of the Purdue re- searchers' device is that it uses a simple but under- used tool called the supine pressor test that can iden- tify the risk for preeclamp- sia. The test assesses blood flow through the kidney, and 90 percent of women with a positive test even- tually develop preeclamp- sia. The early detection en- ables more effective preven- tion strategies. "This is a device that wom- en are going to be able to use at home with a minimal amount of training," Goer- gen said. The device will measure whether a woman's blood pressure increases when she changes position from lying on her left side to ly- ing on her back. If the dia- stolic pressure increases enough, it is a warning sign that a woman is susceptible to preeclampsia, Goergen said. The researchers have obtained a provisional patent with the help of the Purdue Office of Technology Com- mercialization. Women will send the re- sults to a doctor's office, a health-care system or a cen- tralized network for the re- sults to be read and where they could receive counsel- ing so they can start manage- ment and treatment options as early as possible. A video about the app and wearable device is available at https://bit.ly/2HkCqIA. While the Gates Founda- tion's goal is to help wom- en in developing countries, Goergen said the device the Purdue researchers are working on also could help women in inner cities and ru- ral areas of the United States and other developed coun- tries. They plan on initial- ly testing the device on low- and middle-income wom- en in and around Indianap- olis once the researchers receive the necessary insti- tutional approval. "It will be a great way to make sure that these pa- tients are not going down a road that is going to lead to problems for both them and their baby," Goergen said. The American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology is- sued a report last year esti- mating the costs to the U.S. health-care system for pre- eclampsia at $2.18 billion for the first 12 months af- ter birth — $1.03 billion for mothers, and $1.15 billion for babies. The Purdue research team is looking to partner with companies with technologi- cal expertise in these areas as the team works to further develop this technology. Purdue University researchers are developing an app and wearable technology that will allow preg- nant women to use a smartphone to detect wheth- er they have or are susceptible to a preeclampsia, a complication caused by high blood pressure that can cause organ damage and premature birth. The device uses the supine pressor test, which meas- ures whether a woman's blood pressure increases when she changes position from lying on her left side to lying on her back. If the diastolic pressure increases enough, it is a warning sign that a wom- an is susceptible to preeclampsia. Image provided Two arrested for OVWI By Andy Heuring A Velpen man was ar- rested after he claimed a dog on his lap caused him to drive across the center- line last Friday night. He was one of two people ar- rested for drunken driving in Pike County last week. Travis C. McDaniel, 33, of Petersburg was arrested on a preliminary charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a prior conviction and neglect of a dependent. Pike County Deputy Buck Seger said at 7:31 p.m. Friday he was driving north on Highway 61 near Union St. in Winslow when he saw McDaniel driving in the middle of the highway, across the center line. He stopped McDaniel and while talking to him noticed an alcohol con- tainer inside the vehicle that was open. Deputy Seger said Mc- Daniel told him he had a dog on his lap that caused him to cross the centerline. He also said McDaniel had slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and the odor of alcohol. McDaniel failed field so- briety tests and was tak- en to the Pike County Jail, where he tested 0.09 per- cent for blood alcohol con- tent. The legal limit in In- diana is 0.08 percent. A juvenile passenger in the vehicle was released to Child Protective Services. A Jasper man was arrest- ed at about 2 a.m. Monday by Petersburg Police Cpl. Jared Simmons after he no- ticed the license plate light not working. Nicolas A. Hemann, 31, of 2413 Sunset Dr., Jasper, was arrested on prelimi- nary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated controlled substance and obstruction of justice. Cpl. Simmons said when he talked with Hemann he noticed the strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from Hemann's vehicle as well as slurred speech and glassy, bloodshot eyes. Simmons he asked Hemann if there was any marijuana in the vehicle, but Hemann repeated de- nied having marijuana. Cpl. Simmons said dur- ing a search of the vehicle he found a small amount of "marijuana shake' in the center console. According to Cpl. Sim- mons' report he also asked Hemann if he had eaten the rest of the marijuana, but Hemann denied eating it and said he hadn't used marijuana in nearly six months. Hemann failed field so- briety tests. Cpl Simmons then asked Hemann to open his mouth and said he could see what looked like the "rest of a blunt roach and marijuana stuck in his teeth and on his tongue." Hemann was transport- ed to the Daviess Commu- nity Hospital, where he tested positive for THC. He was then transported to the Pike County Jail, A-6 Local Wednesday, May 23, 2018 The Press-Dispatch Happy Birthday 75 th Tony Rothrock MAY 26 Pregnant... or think you are? Call:1-877-257-1084 or Locally Call: 1-812-354-2814 • Free pregnancy testing • Free counseling and info. on pregnancy options. • Confi dential counseling for women & men who are suff ering from post-abortion syndrome. • Residential Care • Health and assistance referrals. • Training and education. • Assistance in getting baby and maternity clothes washpcc@sbcglobal.net www.washingtonpregnancycenter.com Bike Worx ribbon cutting Bike Worx sales and service celebrated their recent opening on Saturday morning with a ribbon cutting. Pike County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Krista Robinette, on left, helped owner Shane Stafford, Brandy Stafford, Ashton Stafford and Steve Arthur as well as Sarah McCracken of the C of C with the ribbon cutting. Bike Worx sells used motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, cruisers, accessories and apparel. They also provide service. Bike Worx carries the following apparel brands: Grunt Style, Affliction, American Fighter and Grace in LA. They are located at 743 S. Highway 61, Winslow and open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Fri- day and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU! Lakewood Home offers real family-style assisted living at the most affordable rates in the area and is conveniently nestled in the woods behind Pike Central. Many people think they cannot afford assisted living until they come to us. We are small and can give the time and attention residents need and deserve. Come visit and we think you will agree when we say "there's no other place like it!" Call Jenny at 812-789-3985 or visit any time for a tour. A S S I S T E D L I V I N G Located behind Pike Central on Hwy. 56. Look for the sign. Are you or a loved one in need of assistance with daily living?