Evaluation of the INGA Sensor System for Fetal and Uterine Monitoring During Cervical Ripening (INGA-SEN)

Early Feasibility Study on the Safety and Performance of the INGA Sensor System for Fetal and Uterine Monitoring During Cervical Ripening With the INGA Balloon Catheter

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the safety and performance of the INGA Sensor System when used with the INGA balloon catheter during cervical ripening for labor induction in pregnant individuals at term. Cervical ripening is a process used to prepare the cervix for labor.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Is the INGA Sensor System safe to use during cervical ripening with the INGA balloon catheter?
• How well does the sensor system measure uterine contractions and fetal heart rate during cervical ripening?
• How does the use of the INGA balloon catheter affect cervical ripening and the time from induction to delivery?
• How do participants and healthcare professionals evaluate the usability of the catheter and sensor system?

All participants in this study will receive the INGA balloon catheter with the attached sensor system. There is no comparison group.

Participants will:

• Undergo routine assessments before labor induction, including medical history review, cervical examination, blood pressure and heart rate measurement, and fetal heart rate monitoring
• Have the INGA balloon catheter placed in the cervix by a trained physician
• Have a small sensor device attached to the external end of the catheter
• Undergo standard fetal heart rate monitoring after placement
• Keep the catheter and sensor in place until the catheter is expelled naturally or for up to 24 hours
• Continue labor induction and delivery according to standard hospital practice
• Complete a questionnaire about comfort and usability
• Allow collection of information about labor, delivery, and newborn outcomes from medical records

Participation lasts from signing informed consent until hospital discharge.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Cervical Ripening; Induction of Birth; Balloon Catheter for Labor Induction; Cervical Ripening and Induction of Labor
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Cervical ripening, labor Induction, uterus and fetal monitoring

Detailed Description

This is a prospective, single-arm, early feasibility clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety, performance, and usability of the INGA Sensor System when used together with the INGA cervical ripening catheter during induction of labor in pregnant individuals at term. Approximately 120 participants are planned to be enrolled.

The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the performance of the INGA Sensor System in providing clinically interpretable data on fetal wellbeing and induction progress during cervical ripening. A successful measurement is defined as the sensor providing interpretable signal data for at least 10 consecutive minutes.

Secondary objectives include evaluation of device usability, technical performance, maternal and neonatal safety, and obstetric outcomes such as change in Bishop score, induction-to-delivery interval, and mode of delivery.

Participation lasts from signing informed consent until hospital discharge following delivery.

Screening phase

Before any study-related procedures are initiated, participants will be asked to read and sign an informed consent form. Once consent has been obtained, the following screening assessments will be performed to determine eligibility:

• Confirmation of informed consent.
• Review of inclusion and exclusion criteria to confirm suitability for the study.
• Collection of medical and demographic data, including medical history, current or previous medications, planned time of delivery, gestational age, and indication for labor induction.
• Cervical assessment by palpation.
• Measurement of blood pressure and heart rate.
• Cardiotocography (CTG) to monitor fetal heart rate and uterine contractions for at least 30 minutes.
• Ultrasound examination within one week prior to labor induction to assess fetal weight, well-being, and general condition.

Participants who meet all eligibility criteria will proceed to the study phase.

The study follows the standard clinical process for balloon catheter-based cervical ripening, with the addition of the investigational sensor. After insertion of the INGA catheter, the study sensor will be attached to the external end of the catheter fixed to the thigh for the duration of catheter placement. The sensor records data that are not visible to the participant or healthcare professionals. Throughout the procedure, the investigator and hospital staff will closely monitor the induction process and ensure the safety and well-being of both the mother and fetus.

Study procedures

Participants will undergo the following procedures as part of the study:

• A trained physician will insert the INGA cervical ripening catheter vaginally through the cervical canal. The balloon will be inflated with sterile saline to secure placement and taped to the inner thigh according to standard practice. After catheter placement, the INGA Sensor will be attached to the external portion of the catheter.
• Fetal heart rate monitoring (CTG) will be performed both before catheter insertion (for a minimum of 30 minutes) and after insertion (for a minimum of 60 minutes). After that, the sensor remains in place and continues to record data until it is turned off. Subsequent CTG monitoring during labor induction is conducted in accordance with the hospitals or clinic's protocol and guidelines
• Cervical ripeness will be assessed before catheter insertion and again after catheter removal or spontaneous detachment.
• The catheter will remain in place until it detaches spontaneously or for a maximum of 24 hours.
• After catheter removal, the cervical status will be reassessed, and labor induction will continue according to the hospital's standard of care.

Throughout the induction process, maternal and fetal well-being will be closely monitored by clinical staff. All adverse events and device-related events will be recorded and evaluated.

Comprehensive data will be collected on:

• The course of pregnancy and the labor induction process.
• Delivery outcomes, including mode and duration of delivery.
• Maternal safety data, including any adverse events or complications.
• Newborn assessments
• After birth, the following assessments will be performed on the newborn:
• Birth weight and height.
• Apgar score at 5 minutes after birth.
• Clinical data related to neonatal diagnoses, treatments, or conditions.

The sensor data will be analyzed by the sponsor's research team.

Questionnaires

To evaluate user experience and device tolerability, the following questionnaires will be completed:

Participants will be asked to complete a short questionnaire assessing their overall comfort, well-being, and any discomfort or pain experienced during balloon catheter placement and use.

The physician who inserted the catheter will complete a usability questionnaire assessing the practicality, ease of use, and overall handling of the device.

Post-Treatment Phase The INGA catheter and sensor are used only during the induction process in this study. No additional study-specific visits are required after hospital discharge. Postpartum care will follow standard hospital practice.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 120
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Kirsi Roivainen, Master of Health; Phone Number: +358505347673; Email: kirsi.roivainen@mdsfinland.com
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Heidi Kruit, MD, PhD, Associate professor; Phone Number: +358504284685; Email: heidi.kruit@aalto.fi

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Pregnant women aged ≥18 and ≤56 years An unripe cervix, see below Planned induction of labor by mechanical balloon catheter method Gestational age at the time of the study ≥ 37 weeks Singleton pregnancy Cephalic presentation The subject understands the study information and signs the informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Preterm induction of labor (<37 weeks of gestation)
• Clinical active vaginal or uterine infection
• Abnormal cardiotocography (CTG) at inclusion
• Spontaneous rupture of membranes at inclusion
• Clinically significant vaginal bleeding with need of hospitalization in the third trimester
• Maternal HIV, hepatitis C, or hepatitis B
• Condition requiring immediate delivery of the fetus or mother
• Presence of eclampsia
• Severe Preeclampsia (Blood pressure ≥160/110 and any of the following: HELLP (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelet count <100 × 10 9/L syndrome), progressive renal insufficiency, pulmonary edema)
• Severe fetal growth restriction (FGR, growth < -2 SD/<10th percentile)
• Estimated fetal weight ≥ 2SD or ≥ 95th percentile
• Breech or transverse fetal position
• Multiple pregnancy
• Vasa previa or placenta previa
• Uterine scar (including previous caesarean section)
• Umbilical cord prolapse
• Bishop score ≥6 on cervical assessment prior to labor induction
• Reduced amniotic fluid volume (deepest vertical pocket <30 mm)
• Receiving epidural anesthesia prior to catheter insertion
• Refusal to participate in the study and/or insufficient language skills to understand the study information and/or consent form

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: INGA Sensor; Participants in this single study arm will undergo cervical ripening using the INGA balloon catheter with the attached INGA sensor during labor induction. The catheter is inserted vaginally through the cervical canal so that the balloon tip is positioned between the amniotic membranes and the internal cervical os. The balloon is inflated with 50-75 mL of sterile saline and the external end is secured to the inner thigh. The INGA sensor is attached to the external portion of the catheter and records maternal and fetal data, such as heart rate and uterine contractions. Clinical monitoring is performed according to hospital guidelines. CTG monitoring is conducted for at least 60 minutes after placement. The sensor remains in place until catheter detachment or up to 24 hours.

Device: Cervical ripening, labor Induction, uterus and fetal monitoring; INGA sensor with INGA Induction Catheter. The trial systematically collects data on sensor usability, registration of fetal and maternal heart activity and uterine contractions, INGA catheter insertion experience, patient pain, retention time, and delivery outcomes, as well as feedback from both participants and healthcare professionals regarding device performance and usability.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Proportion of successful sensor measurements	Proportion (%) of successful sensor measurements out of all measurement attempts. A successful measurement is defined as a sensor reading that provides clinically interpretable fetal heart rate and/or uterine contraction data for at least 10 consecutive minutes.	During catheter and sensor placement, up to 24 hours

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Placement success	Whether the catheter is placed successfully	At catheter insertion
Healthcare professionals' experience of device usability	Composite healthcare professional-reported assessment of catheter and sensor usability, collected immediately after catheter and sensor placement using a structured study-specific questionnaire. Assessments include: Ease of catheter placement; Likert Scale (1=very difficult, 5=very easy; higher scores indicate easier placement) Catheter usability and balloon inflation; Likert Scale (1=poor, 5=excellent; higher scores indicate better usability) Sensor attachment and stability; Likert Scale (1=poor, 5=excellent; higher scores indicate better performance) Technical performance of the sensor, including connection to bluetooth and battery life; Likert Scale (1=poor, 5= excellent; higher scores indicate better performance) Impact on workflow and patient comfort; Likert Scale (1=strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree; higher scores indicate greater agreement with the statement) Willingness to recommend future use (Yes/No)	Periprocedural (after catheter and sensor placement)
Patient Experience of Device Use	Composite patient-reported assessment of pain, comfort, satisfaction, and overall experience collected 30 minutes after catheter insertion and sensor placement using a structured questionnaire. Pain is assessed using a 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale (0 = no pain, 10 = worst possible pain; higher = greater pain), including tolerability (yes/no), characteristics (sharp, burning, stabbing, throbbing, cramping, pressure, other), duration (brief moment, few minutes, longer than 30 minutes, other), and location (abdominal area, back, vagina, external genitals, other). Catheter and sensor usability, ease of placement, sensor attachment and stability, technical performance (tablet/Bluetooth connection, battery), impact on daily activities, and willingness to use in the future are assessed using Likert scales (1-5; higher = better). Discomfort or additional concerns may be recorded with optional comments.	Immediately after catheter and sensor placement, before hospital discharge
Adverse Events and Safety	Incidence and type of maternal and fetal adverse events occurring during device use and labor induction. All adverse events are recorded and assessed according to clinical criteria.	rom catheter and sensor insertion until hospital discharge, with adverse events monitored for up to 24 hours after catheter removal or expulsion.
Signal Quality Assessment	Assessment of maternal and fetal data signal quality, if data are available.	During catheter and sensor placement, up to 24 hours
Device Malfunctions	Number and type of device malfunctions occurring during catheter and sensor placement. Unit of Measure = count of malfunctions	During catheter and sensor placement, up to 24 hours
Signal Interruptions	Number and duration of interruptions in fetal heart rate or uterine contraction signal during catheter and sensor placement. Unit of Measure: Number and minutes of signal interruptions	During catheter and sensor placement, up to 24 hours
Time Required for Setup and Measurement	Time required for device setup and initiation of successful measurement	At the time of catheter and sensor placement
Bishop score change	Change in cervical readiness measured by the Bishop Score, a 0-10 scale (0 = unfavorable cervix, 10 = fully favorable; higher scores indicate more favorable cervix), assessed prior to catheter insertion and after catheter detachment.	From catheter insertion to detachment, assessed up to 24 hours.
Retention time of balloon catheter	Time the balloon catheter remains in the cervix for cervical ripening	From catheter insertion to detachment, 0-24 hours
Induction to delivery Interval	Time from initiation of labor induction (balloon catheter placement) to the delivery of the neonate. This includes both the cervical ripening phase and active labor. The outcome will capture the total duration of the induction-to-delivery process	From balloon catheter placement to birth, 0-48 hours
Mode of delivery	The type of delivery for the participant, categorized as vaginal delivery, instrumental vaginal delivery, or cesarean section	From time of enrollment until delivery, assessed up to 7 days from enrollment

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Aalto University
• Collaborators: University of Minnesota; University of Mississippi Medical Center
• Investigators: Study Chair: Leena Rahkonen, MD, PhD, Associate professor, Aalto University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 10, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 19, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 25, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 25, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 19, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Cervical Ripening; Induction of labour; Fetal monitoring; Balloon Catheter; Uterine monitoring
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Delivery, Obstetric; Obstetric Surgical Procedures; Monitoring, Physiologic; Diagnostic Techniques, Obstetrical and Gynecological; Labor, Induced; Fetal Monitoring
• Other Study ID Numbers: Pro00092879; ARPA-H-ICHUB-24-101-1675/SWH-2 (Other Grant/Funding Number: ARPA-H)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: Yes
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: Yes