Dynamic Behavior of Uterine Contractions: An Approach Based on Source Localization and Multiscale Modeling

Among the complex systems of systems of the human body, the uterus is one of the least understood. The sequence of contraction of the myometrium results from numerous interconnected control systems (electric, hormonal, mechanical). In this paper we try to understand what the electrical activity of the uterus can tell us about uterine synchronization. This work is the first attempt to locate uterine EMG sources by means of source localization tools. These tools are tested on signals simulated by a multiscale model of the uterine EMG. As a preliminary result, we present the source localization for one pregnancy and one labor contraction recorded on the same woman. The localized sources do not demonstrate any “propagation like” behavior. This supports the hypothesis that the global organ-level communication is probably not done via action potential propagation, but may be via a coupling between the electrical and the mechanical systems controlling the uterus.