The Easysims innovation project of VHIR selected to receive the support of CIMTI

One of the five projects chosen by the Center for the Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technologies in Catalonia (CIMTI.cat) has been Easysims. Easysims is a special pillow designed to promote the rotation of the fetus and reduce the number of cesarean sections, which has been designed by Dr. Vanessa Bueno, midwife of Vall d'Hebron. In this way, the Easysims project, which has the support of the Innovation Unit of the Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), will enjoy the CIMTI IMPACT Mentoring program to accelerate its implementation in the health system and facilitate it arrivals at the market.

That one, becomes the second project of the VHIR selected to receive support from CIMIT in the two years of operation of this initiative created in 2017 by the LEITAT Foundation, with the support of the Department of Health of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Quality Agency and Health Assessment of Catalonia (Aqua) and with the collaboration of CIMTI of Boston. So far, during this time, they have supported 12 innovation projects in Catalonia, among which is another VHIR project in collaboration with the company Onalabs. This year, Easysims has been one of the five selected projects of 2018.

When choosing the presented proposals, the CIMTI evaluates its medical and social impact. The center seeks to promote ideas that have the potential to generate a high impact in the field of health and social. For that, they focus on the development of new technologies for the treatment of the most important current health problems. At the time of delivery, it is necessary that the fetus is looking down, but it is very common, in 2 out of 6 births, that the fetus is looking up. This position translates into a longer, painful and more difficult delivery, which often requires the use of forceps or a cesarean, with the risks that this entails. Currently in the State, more than 1 in 4 births are performed by cesarean section, and the proportion recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) should be 1 in 10.

The Easysims cushion is presented as a simple and non-invasive solution to this excess of caesarean sections, and above all, to facilitate labor and reduce pain in many women. The cushion is designed for women to position themselves correctly and easily in a specific position in which the diameter of the pelvis is opened. "In this way, the cushion helps to turn the head of the fetus down, because it finds more space in the pelvis and the delivery can be vaginal," explained Dr. Vanessa Bueno at the presentation of the device last December.

The effectiveness of this specific position, the modified Sims position, was previously evaluated by the same midwife at the Vall d'Hebron Hospital in a two-year study. The study verifies that this position achieved adequate orientation of the fetus in the half of the cases and reduced caesarean sections by 16%. The results were published last year in the journalBirth: Issues in Perinatal Care, one of the reference journals in nursing, obstetrics and gynecology.

Apart from facilitating vaginal delivery, the pillow helps pregnant women to rest better during the third trimester of pregnancy. The cushion allows to maintain for hours the rest position recommended to pregnant women: lateral decubitus, a posture that improves the oxygenation of the fetus and reduces maternal tension drops caused by compression of the inferior vena cava. The cushion helps to reduce the pelvic and lumbar pain suffered by 1 out of every 2 women during the last months of pregnancy.

The CIMTI support is not accompanied by an economic endowment but it will allow the Easysims team to receive advice and mentoring in legislative, market and business aspects, and how to focus and achieve a greater value of the project, together with facilitating access to contacts with different agents of the sector, manufacturers and distributors. All this to help in the implementation of the device to the health system, and facilitate access to all users who can benefit.