Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/812304
Bioelectronic Manipulation to All postpartum hemorrhage deaths are tragic, and they are all too common in low-income countries, where many women suer from anemia and lack access to obstetric care. When these mothers die, the tragedy also impacts their children's health and education, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. This research could mean the dierence between life and death for many mothers around the world." — DAVID BELL, DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES SUPPORTING GLOBAL GOOD Pursuing a new solution to treat uncontrolled bleeding in postpartum patients, the Feinstein Institute partnered with Global Good and Sanguistat Inc. on a new bioelectronic treatment initiative. Postpartum hemorrhage is the most frequent cause of maternal deaths worldwide. Close to 80,000 women in Africa and Asia lose their lives to it each year, as do around 6,000 women in the United States. Current treatment protocols include blood transfusions, surgical intervention with balloon catheters, anti-shock garments and uterine massage. However, no solution has proven to be sufficiently effective at saving the lives of women who have recently given birth and experience this complication. "Blood loss is a major cause of maternal fatality, yet historically, there is little that can be done to treat this condition," said Kevin J. Tracey, MD, president and CEO of the Feinstein Institute. "We HALT HEMORRHAGES are pursuing the discovery of a new solution." Changing Outcomes Together, the Feinstein Institute, Global Good (a collaboration between Bill Gates and Intellectual Ventures for inventing technology to improve life in developing countries) and medical device developer Sanguistat Inc. will initiate clinical trials to study the use of the Neural Tourniquet — a medical device that uses electronic stimulation of the vagus nerve to reduce blood flow and loss. The Neural Tourniquet was developed utilizing research from the Feinstein Institute, which found that vagus nerve stimulation supports prime platelets clotting. The Feinstein Institute played a key role in initial research and clinical trials, and will remain involved in trials to test the efficacy of the device. Global Good will support feasibility trials, product development and the potential introduction into developing regions where women are at an increased risk of losing their lives to postpartum hemorrhage. If successful, the Neural Tourniquet could have far-reaching positive implications not only for women giving birth, but also for soldiers wounded in battle, patients in emergency rooms and those with chronic bleeding diseases such as hemophilia. FeinsteinInstitute.org 3 Research + Development