Pelvic health start-up wins Imperial College London competition

A London-based start-up has been awarded the top prize of £15,000 in Imperial College London’s WE Innovate programme.

Matrix, a start-up developed by Imperial alumni and health tech entrepreneur Stilliyana Minkovska, aims to reimagine gynaecological examinations with an “AI-supported” pelvic assessment and diagnosis device.

Currently, the speculum is one of the most used instruments for cervical cancer screening and pelvic examinations. However, many people find it uncomfortable and invasive.

The self-use product developed by Matrix is designed to allow women to fully control the experience, whilst transmitting visual data for real-time assessment and a digital archive that can inform treatment and further research.

The tool is fully adaptable to women’s diverse builds and lived experiences, featuring an “empathetic” design to engage more culturally diverse communities.

“It is a replacement for the speculum which has barely changed since the Roman era,” explained Minkovska, adding that the device has the capability to screen for STIs, including cervical warts and could be used for reproductive assessments.

Her innovation comes at a time when “no shows” for cervical screening in the UK are at a 10-year high. A survey by the Department of Health and Social Care found embarrassment was the most common reason for not booking a cervical screening.

As 30 per cent of eligible individuals do not attend their cervical smear appointments, the Matrix device is hoped to help lower the costs of missed NHS appointments and reduce preventable disease by improving patient attendance.