In Dialogue with: Anne-Sophie Caro
In this exclusive conversation, we speak with Professor Anne-Sophie Caro, Senior Researcher in Materials Mechanics at IMT Mines Alès and Coordinator of the PELVITRACK project. With extensive expertise in biomechanics and a passion for real world impact, Professor Caro shares insights into how this pioneering initiative is setting the stage for a revolution in maternal health, using advanced technologies to monitor and predict perineal trauma during childbirth.
Professor Caro, tell us briefly about your background and your area of research interest
I am a Professor at IMT Mines Alès and affiliated with the LMGC laboratory in Montpellier. My main field of research is biomechanics, with a specific focus on the mechanical behaviour and modelling of soft biological tissues. I combine experimental testing, including micro-indentation and full-field measurements, with multiscale mechanical modelling to better understand tissue damage, especially in the pelvic area. Over the years I have had the opportunity to contribute to, and coordinate several National and European research projects and have been actively involved in PhD supervision and advanced academic training
How was the idea behind Pelvitrack conceived?
It was born out of real clinical discussions. Midwives and doctors lack objective tools to enable them assess the state of perineal tissues during labour. This is when we realised that biomechanics and medical instrumentation could come together to meet this critical clinical need.
What is the main goal of the PELVITRACK project?
The main goal of the PELVITRACK project is to provide a reliable, real-time evaluation of perineal tissue health to help prevent trauma during childbirth. Our goal is to give clinicians objective data that supports their decision-making process, allow patients to make informed choices based on evidence and help to prevent perineal trauma.
What makes PELVITRACK unique?
What makes PELVITRACK unique is its strong and genuinely multidisciplinary consortium. It brings together clinicians, biomechanics, imaging specialists, data scientists, medical device engineers, thermal engineers, and electrical engineers, along with experts in signal processing, clinical research and numerical modelling. This diversity of expertise enables us to address a highly complex clinical challenge with a truly integrated approach, from fundamental understanding to real-time diagnostics and technology development. Such a synergy is rare, and positions PELVITRACK as a potential game-changer in the field of maternal health innovation.
What kind of impact do you envisage PELVITRACK having on maternal healthcare?
If successful, PELVITRACK could redefine the standard of care in labour and delivery. By preventing or reducing perineal trauma, we can significantly lower the incidence of lifelong conditions such as incontinence, prolapse, and chronic pain. Moreover, our approach supports early and reliable diagnostics, which paves the way for personalised care and targeted rehabilitation. Beyond the clinical impact, our work also contributes to raising awareness around the hidden burden of pelvic floor disorders (PFDs), which affect millions of women globally but remain underdiagnosed and undertreated.
What inspires you most about leading this project?
This is real-world science. We are not doing this for theory; we are doing it to improve lives. The idea that a device we develop could help women avoid trauma and long-term complications is a huge motivation. And none of this would be possible without our incredible partners – this is a collective effort, and their commitment and expertise are key to every step forward.
How do you ensure the device is clinically acceptable and safe?
We work hand-in-hand with obstetricians and midwives throughout the design and testing process. The device will be evaluated in real-world clinical settings with full regulatory oversight. Safety and clinical acceptability are non-negotiable.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced so far?
Translating a complex signal, whether optical, mechanical, electrical, or thermal, into a clear and clinically useful decision has been the biggest challenge so far. Bridging the gap between lab-based measurements and actionable insights in the delivery room requires both technical robustness and close collaboration with clinicians.
What is next for PELVITRACK after this phase?
Expand! More trials, more hospitals, more data. Ultimately, the goal is to bring PELVITRACK to market and make a real-world impact in maternal healthcare systems.
Thank you, Professor Anne-Sophie Caro, for sharing your insights about PELVITRACK and its potential. PELVITRACK does not seem to be only a research project, but a commitment to innovation that serves people. With you at the helm and a powerful interdisciplinary team of experts on board, the project is set to make remarkable strides toward a future where childbirth is safer, smarter, and more personalised.
