How MedGen works
MedGen registers and analyzes reflection and photoluminescence spectra of tissue in the female reproductive system. The device performs express diagnostics of endometrial inflammation and hyperplasia as well as precancerous and oncological diseases of the female reproductive system. The procedure includes the insertion of a tiny optical fiber through the cervix into the uterus area. Each measurement cycle starts with a control test done on the thigh surface. The control test is followed by three sample spectra from fundus, internal and middle parts of the uterus. The collected data provide exhaustive information on the following.
Fertility and Proliferation Activity
MedGen quantitatively measures the endometrium cellular proliferation index (Iproliferation) which is a direct indicator of women’s fertility. The proliferation activity is calculated as an integrated spectrum intensity of photoluminescence from different parts of the endometrium. The spectrum is normalized by the optical spectrum obtained in the intact skin test performed at inner thigh. In the normal menstrual cycle, women have a directly proportional dependence of the fertility Iproliferation value on the phase and day of the cycle. At the peak of ovulation the proliferation index directly quantifies female conception chances in natural or stimulated cycles.
If the Iproliferation is less than 20%, then this is a direct indicator of female infertility. In this case, infertility treatment is highly recommended.
Endometrial Oxygenation
Implantation will usually take place only if the endometrium has reached a particular stage of oxygenation and vascularisation. Oxygenation has an extraordinary significance for better outcome of pregnancy implantation by improving endometrial receptivity. Therefore, insufficient oxygenation is a key and most widespread factor of infertility. MedGen measures the oxygenation index Ioxygen as an optical reflection at the oxidized hemoglobin resonant frequency of 578 nm: I oxygen = (1 — I 578/I 612)*100%.Normally, the oxygenation index Ioxygen should exceed 15%. Lower values signal hypoxia of the endometrial tissue.
Functional State of Endometrium
The morphological and functional state of the endometrium is at the heart of women’s well-being. The presence of cysts and polyps leads to abdominal pain. To evaluate the morphological homogeneity of epithelial and stromal uterine tissue, MegGen compares and analyzes optical spectra obtained from three different areas of the uterus. The endometrium structural index (Iuniformity) displays the degree of difference between the three intrauterine spectra. The MedGen program calculates it as the integrated intensity of the maximum spectrum normalized to the sum of the moduli of the differences in the integrated intensities of the three pairs of intrauterine spectra. If all the three measured spectra practically coincide, then the Iuniformity index has a large value. As the differences between the spectra increase, the index decreases. A high structurality index (more than 2) indicates a good morphology of different endometrial areas lining the uterine cavity.
Early Diagnostics of Cancer
Endometrial inflammation and hyperplasia are precursors of endometrial cancer. In order to perform early diagnostics of cancer MedGen monitors the shape of the optical spectra. The photoluminescence spectrum of carcinogenic tissue drastically differs from that of the normal endometrium. Thus, the shape of the measured spectrum undergoes a substantial change, which is tracked by MedGen.