Blog
The Supreme Court, Margaret Sanger & Choice
June, 2022
In 1912 Margaret Sanger had a dream about a magic pill that would allow women control over conception. She stated: “No woman can call herself free until she can choose consciously whether she will or will not be a mother.” She went on to create the Pill, and Planned Parenthood.
More than 100 years and a U.S. Supreme Court decision later we are still in this fight. Then as now a vital part of a progressive answer is also to prevent the need for abortions by creating better contraception. Research shows over and over again that if women have the opportunity to time childbirth, outcomes for children, mothers, families and the whole of society are so much better.
This is Choice's dream, every child desired, by creating the best contraception possible now. When a woman becomes sexually active, she opts for a minor procedure and then controls her fertility for the rest of her life, with no additional work or attention required.
Choice consists of tiny valves in the fallopian tubes. These valves are placed on an outpatient basis via the natural route. After placement a woman only has to decide if and when she opens these valves for conception, that's all: Fertility Freedom!
We believe that Choice must be further (co-) developed and supported by women. To create an absolutely safe new contraceptive method like this, many studies and tests have already been done. Still there is at least 3 years of work to be done on definitive tests to obtain the necessary medical approvals. This requires investment and so Choice is always looking for female investors* in particular, who want to think along and use their network, with a great return (for women & financial!) on this investment in the long run.
* but other investors supporting our cause are welcome too!
Succesful first biocompatibility results
May, 2022
“For something many people consider to be impossible your first results are very encouraging" (Nils Warfving – Anapath Histology).
At the end of 2021 we have been able to successfully implant the first Choice prototypes in 8 female rabbits. The stents were designed for rabbit anatomy* by Thomas Nissl of TN Tech and implanted by FreyTox. The stents were implanted unilaterally for 28 days and the rabbits were happy and did not seem to suffer from any infection or pain. The other fallopian tubes received sham surgery (only procedure but no placement of stent).
After 28-days the rabbits were euthanized and macroscopic examination of the female organs was very positive and did not reveal any issues. Thereafter, the organs were send to Anapath Histology for biocompatibility research.
Histology results have shown that local reaction to the stents (host) was mild and the majority of the stents did not show scar tissue formation in the lumen of the stents (intraluminal fibrosis). Encountered findings were considered to be rather related to the model (rabbit anatomy is different, different way of implantation via operation instead of vaginally, longer stent than in human, etc.) than the test items itself and were deemed of low translational quality for human.
In a repeat biocompatibility study, the new design of the implant will have to show us if the occurrence of intraluminal fibrosis will diminish.
*Although the stent design was adjusted for rabbit anatomy (1mm diameter instead of 1,6mm), placement was found to be difficult, potentially causing trauma to the tissue already and therefore impacting the results. Thomas Nissl is working together with FreyTox and our team to update the design of the stent and the placement procedure for the repeat study. Results of this study are expected end of 2022.
Succesful rabbit implantation test
April, 2022
We have succesfully implanted the first Choice prototypes in the fallopian tubes of rabbits, our preferred animal model*.
This proved it was possible to insert the stents, & keep them in position against the strong initial peristaltic waves.
The stents were designed by Thomas Nissl of TN Tech, & the research was carried out at FreyTox, our chosen Contract Research Organisation (CRO). Next test will be a full 30 day implantation in rabbits.
* We have chosen rabbits for their fertility. Other possible animals only conceive during certain times of the year, female rabbits can conceive throughout the year. The rabbits also possess two wombs, enabling a comparison between the untouched womb & the womb with implant. The tubes of rabbits are smaller than human (1 mm diameter instead of 1,6 mm).
UNFPA publication Seeing the unseen
April 26th, 2022
In March 2022 United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) published a rapport underlining the case of action in the neglected crisis of unintended pregnancy. “Contraception is the most obvious way to prevent an unintended pregnancy. And while all methods can fail or be used incorrectly, the biggest issue by far is people not being able to get the contraception that they need, when they need it” (UNFPA, 2022).
During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic it became clear what the impact is on not having access to contraceptives and why there is a need for lifetime contraceptive options. “This was evident during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when contraceptive services were among the most extensively disrupted health- care services (WHO, 2020a). In the first 12 months of the crisis, the disruption of supplies and services lasted on average 3.6 months, leading to as many as 1.4 million unintended pregnancies (Luchsinger, 2021). By 2021, as disruptions continued, albeit with some degree of adjustment and catch-up, services to provide contraception were still among those most affected” (Luchsinger, 2021).
Only 57% of women are able to make their own decisions over their sexual and reproductive health and rights. The impact on young women and girls that become pregnant because of not being able to get the contraception that they need, when the need it can be major. “Once robbed of the chance to choose whether or not to become pregnant, women and girls see other opportunities dwindle. Their mental health can suffer. When births are unintended, they often lead to worse health outcomes. Pregnant girls are often forced to get married or give up on school. Many women are pushed out of their jobs simply because they are pregnant. For others, it can become much harder to free themselves from an abusive relationship. The slide into poverty can be steep and swift, with poorer nutrition and less schooling following close behind” (UNFPA, 2022).
Choice hopes to shift the dilemma of providing contraceptives to all women at all times (and the failure rates while using them) to one implantation moment, of a dependable, care-free method.
For the full report please visit: https://esaro.unfpa.org/en/publications/seeing-unseen
Source: UNFPA, 2022
New CMO Leonie van de Kamer
May 1st, 2021
Leonie van de Kamer has joined Choice as Chief Medical Officer.
She was educated in Beta - Gamma studies and a master management in Health & Life Sciences. After graduation she worked at Factory CRO, later Avania, first as a project manager for designing the clinical path for medical devices, later as manager business development.
Within Choice she will be responsible for the clinical pathway, regulatory aspect and associated quality issues.
Welcome Leonie!
Successful rabbit implantation test
April, 2021
We have succesfully implanted the first Choice prototypes in the fallopian tubes of rabbits, our preferred animal model*.
This proved it was possible to insert the stents and keep them in position against the strong initial peristaltic waves.
The stents were designed by Thomas Nissl of TN Tech, & the research was carried out at FreyTox, our chosen Contract Research Organisation (CRO). Next test will be a full 30 day implantation in rabbits.
* We have chosen rabbits for their fertility. Other possible animals only conceive during certain times of the year, female rabbits can conceive throughout the year. The rabbits also possess two wombs, enabling a comparison between the untouched womb & the womb with implant. The tubes of rabbits are smaller than human (1 mm diameter instead of 1,6 mm).
First model of inner fallopian tube
August 12, 2020
In cooperation with professor M. Bongers, Maxima Medisch Centrum, PAMM & Modelmakerij Frits, we have made a model of the inner form of a human fallopian tube.
An original idea of Jay Harman, a biomimicry pioneer & explorer of the patterns of natural flows, we are searching for the flow movement inside the fallopian tube. As expected, there is a complex 3D helical pattern visible in the inside form.
We made this model from a womb & fallopian tubes, minutes after a hysterectomy. We inserted thin flowing, quick hardening silicon inside the fallopian tube. After 24 hours waiting the surrounding tissue of the fallopian tube was removed, showing the inner shape. This research informs us about the inner cavity where we have to place Choice & how to adapt Choice to the natural flow pattern. This model will now be scanned by Vascular Flow Technologies, to inform the flow modelling of Choice.
Choice wins Gerard & Anton prize 2020
July 7, 2020
The Gerard & Anton awards are awarded each year to the most promising start-ups in Eindhoven. Choice was nominated by our partners Brainport & VO Patents. We are honoured by this (unexpected) token of appreciation. "This is what they can say about the first fifty winners: if you have won a Gerard & Anton Award, your chances of survival increase by a factor of 100. Only 8% of the winners quit the company - just get that at the usual start-up statistics."
See it at Innovation Origins or Read more (in Dutch) at Studio040.
