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A Revolutionary Approach to Preterm Labor | James Olcese | TEDxFSU


a time to be born this is a familiar

a time to be born this is a familiar phrase

phrase

phrase most people it’s an ancient phrase comes

most people it’s an ancient phrase comes

most people it’s an ancient phrase comes from the recognition by the ancients

from the recognition by the ancients

from the recognition by the ancients that nature is psychical that animals

that nature is psychical that animals

that nature is psychical that animals sheep horses other species of

sheep horses other species of

sheep horses other species of domestication were born at certain times

domestication were born at certain times

domestication were born at certain times of year so this recognition that time

of year so this recognition that time

of year so this recognition that time plays a role in our lives from the

plays a role in our lives from the

plays a role in our lives from the beginning is an ancient one but there

beginning is an ancient one but there

beginning is an ancient one but there are other dimensions of time that relate

are other dimensions of time that relate

are other dimensions of time that relate to birth especially for the human that

to birth especially for the human that

to birth especially for the human that need to be considered the time course of

need to be considered the time course of

need to be considered the time course of pregnancy being one of them normal

pregnancy being one of them normal

pregnancy being one of them normal pregnancy runs as most people know nine

pregnancy runs as most people know nine

pregnancy runs as most people know nine months more exact 38 to 40 weeks if the

months more exact 38 to 40 weeks if the

months more exact 38 to 40 weeks if the pregnancy is interrupted before that

pregnancy is interrupted before that

pregnancy is interrupted before that problems arise we talk about preterm

problems arise we talk about preterm

problems arise we talk about preterm birth being a pregnancy that ends before

birth being a pregnancy that ends before

birth being a pregnancy that ends before weeks 37 if it ends much earlier than

weeks 37 if it ends much earlier than

weeks 37 if it ends much earlier than that the chances of the baby surviving

that the chances of the baby surviving

that the chances of the baby surviving are very very poor technology has

are very very poor technology has

are very very poor technology has advanced so far that a late preemie

advanced so far that a late preemie

advanced so far that a late preemie after week 30 32 of pregnancy has a good

after week 30 32 of pregnancy has a good

after week 30 32 of pregnancy has a good chance of survival but may still have a

chance of survival but may still have a

chance of survival but may still have a life long series of disabilities from

life long series of disabilities from

life long series of disabilities from neurological immunological and otherwise

neurological immunological and otherwise

neurological immunological and otherwise the causes of preterm labor are diverse

the causes of preterm labor are diverse

the causes of preterm labor are diverse many still unknown and there really

many still unknown and there really

many still unknown and there really hasn’t been much advancement in this

hasn’t been much advancement in this

hasn’t been much advancement in this field in the last 3040 years there are a

field in the last 3040 years there are a

field in the last 3040 years there are a lot of drugs used which extend labor

lot of drugs used which extend labor

lot of drugs used which extend labor from the point of preterm contractions

from the point of preterm contractions

from the point of preterm contractions maybe a week and granted every day is

maybe a week and granted every day is

maybe a week and granted every day is valuable

valuable

valuable the longer the pregnancy lasts the more

the longer the pregnancy lasts the more

the longer the pregnancy lasts the more likely the child will be to survive

likely the child will be to survive

likely the child will be to survive but I’m interested in time as you might

but I’m interested in time as you might

but I’m interested in time as you might have picked up so there’s another

have picked up so there’s another

have picked up so there’s another dimension of time that everyone knows

dimension of time that everyone knows

dimension of time that everyone knows about when it comes to labor you ask any

about when it comes to labor you ask any

about when it comes to labor you ask any OBGYN when her baby’s born and they all

OBGYN when her baby’s born and they all

OBGYN when her baby’s born and they all say well the night that’s why I’ve got

say well the night that’s why I’ve got

say well the night that’s why I’ve got to work nights off but you ask them why

to work nights off but you ask them why

to work nights off but you ask them why why does it happen tonight there’s no

why does it happen tonight there’s no

why does it happen tonight there’s no answer just is well I’m a scientist I

answer just is well I’m a scientist I

answer just is well I’m a scientist I don’t like answers like that so I wanted

don’t like answers like that so I wanted

don’t like answers like that so I wanted to know why does it happen

to know why does it happen

to know why does it happen why does labor typically in an eighty

why does labor typically in an eighty

why does labor typically in an eighty eighty-five percent of the human

eighty-five percent of the human

eighty-five percent of the human population begin at night now you can

population begin at night now you can

population begin at night now you can answer this in different ways you can

answer this in different ways you can

answer this in different ways you can say well there’s an advantage to babies

say well there’s an advantage to babies

say well there’s an advantage to babies being born at night at least there used

being born at night at least there used

being born at night at least there used to be say a million years ago the woman

to be say a million years ago the woman

to be say a million years ago the woman was pregnant and would retreat to her

was pregnant and would retreat to her

was pregnant and would retreat to her clan to her tribe in the caves or in the

clan to her tribe in the caves or in the

clan to her tribe in the caves or in the huts she would be around her peers her

huts she would be around her peers her

huts she would be around her peers her families and be safe likelihood of the

families and be safe likelihood of the

families and be safe likelihood of the child being born in safety and security

child being born in safety and security

child being born in safety and security is much improved interestingly in other

is much improved interestingly in other

is much improved interestingly in other animals rodents that are active at night

animals rodents that are active at night

animals rodents that are active at night are giving birth in the daytime

are giving birth in the daytime

are giving birth in the daytime well those animals in the daytime are in

well those animals in the daytime are in

well those animals in the daytime are in their burrows so it’s the same logic

their burrows so it’s the same logic

their burrows so it’s the same logic that they’re with their mates and

that they’re with their mates and

that they’re with their mates and protected and safe so that’s one answer

protected and safe so that’s one answer

protected and safe so that’s one answer but it’s not the answer I’m looking for

but it’s not the answer I’m looking for

but it’s not the answer I’m looking for when I see a trace like this I think of

when I see a trace like this I think of

when I see a trace like this I think of clocks biological clocks we’re all

clocks biological clocks we’re all

clocks biological clocks we’re all familiar with our sleep/wake cycles this

familiar with our sleep/wake cycles this

familiar with our sleep/wake cycles this is known to be under the control of a

is known to be under the control of a

is known to be under the control of a part of the brain known as our clock and

part of the brain known as our clock and

part of the brain known as our clock and this circadian clock which times 24-hour

this circadian clock which times 24-hour

this circadian clock which times 24-hour rhythms regulates all sorts of things

rhythms regulates all sorts of things

rhythms regulates all sorts of things not just our sleep/wake cycles as you

not just our sleep/wake cycles as you

not just our sleep/wake cycles as you can see on this graph it regulates when

can see on this graph it regulates when

can see on this graph it regulates when our fastest reaction times are late

our fastest reaction times are late

our fastest reaction times are late afternoon when our blood pressure rises

afternoon when our blood pressure rises

afternoon when our blood pressure rises the most when we’re most alert when our

the most when we’re most alert when our

the most when we’re most alert when our body temperature is the minimum

body temperature is the minimum

body temperature is the minimum so on so I’ve over the last 15 years

so on so I’ve over the last 15 years

so on so I’ve over the last 15 years tried to address the possibility that

tried to address the possibility that

tried to address the possibility that the timing of labor shown here in pink

the timing of labor shown here in pink

the timing of labor shown here in pink which is nighttime is somehow associated

which is nighttime is somehow associated

which is nighttime is somehow associated with the brain’s clock via its main

with the brain’s clock via its main

with the brain’s clock via its main hormonal signal melatonin

hormonal signal melatonin

hormonal signal melatonin who here has not heard of melatonin I

who here has not heard of melatonin I

who here has not heard of melatonin I think everyone’s heard of melatonin in

think everyone’s heard of melatonin in

think everyone’s heard of melatonin in the context of sleep right most people

the context of sleep right most people

the context of sleep right most people turns out it’s a major hormonal output

turns out it’s a major hormonal output

turns out it’s a major hormonal output signal of the brain to the rest of the

signal of the brain to the rest of the

signal of the brain to the rest of the body to tell us it’s nighttime certain

body to tell us it’s nighttime certain

body to tell us it’s nighttime certain things should happen other things

things should happen other things

things should happen other things shouldn’t happen a real interesting

shouldn’t happen a real interesting

shouldn’t happen a real interesting feature of melatonin is the fact that it

feature of melatonin is the fact that it

feature of melatonin is the fact that it is secreted by the brain in response to

is secreted by the brain in response to

is secreted by the brain in response to signals from the clock but it also feeds

signals from the clock but it also feeds

signals from the clock but it also feeds back and works on the talk this is why I

back and works on the talk this is why I

back and works on the talk this is why I take it for example for jet lag

take it for example for jet lag

take it for example for jet lag I can reset my clock so that when I land

I can reset my clock so that when I land

I can reset my clock so that when I land in Paris I’m no longer in American time

in Paris I’m no longer in American time

in Paris I’m no longer in American time zone I’m in European time so it’s a nice

zone I’m in European time so it’s a nice

zone I’m in European time so it’s a nice little trick I learned along the way now

little trick I learned along the way now

little trick I learned along the way now this is a study from over 20 years ago

this is a study from over 20 years ago

this is a study from over 20 years ago showing the pattern of sleep and wake in

showing the pattern of sleep and wake in

showing the pattern of sleep and wake in a blind child now blind people generally

a blind child now blind people generally

a blind child now blind people generally have a lot of issues with keeping their

have a lot of issues with keeping their

have a lot of issues with keeping their sleep wake cycles and sync with the

sleep wake cycles and sync with the

sleep wake cycles and sync with the outside world on the left you can see

outside world on the left you can see

outside world on the left you can see the red trace tracks the onset of sleep

the red trace tracks the onset of sleep

the red trace tracks the onset of sleep those dark horizontal bars each row is a

those dark horizontal bars each row is a

those dark horizontal bars each row is a different day and this child is doing

different day and this child is doing

different day and this child is doing what we say freerunning that is to say

what we say freerunning that is to say

what we say freerunning that is to say the clock doesn’t have a sense of winds

the clock doesn’t have a sense of winds

the clock doesn’t have a sense of winds the right time to sleep and when’s the

the right time to sleep and when’s the

the right time to sleep and when’s the right time to wake up and this is of

right time to wake up and this is of

right time to wake up and this is of course very challenging for the child to

course very challenging for the child to

course very challenging for the child to stay awake in the daytime for example

stay awake in the daytime for example

stay awake in the daytime for example and for the parents quite obviously in

and for the parents quite obviously in

and for the parents quite obviously in this study one of the earlier studies

this study one of the earlier studies

this study one of the earlier studies it’s been replicated a million times

it’s been replicated a million times

it’s been replicated a million times they gave melatonin at those green

they gave melatonin at those green

they gave melatonin at those green points in the right graph and I think

points in the right graph and I think

points in the right graph and I think everyone immediately senses what’s going

everyone immediately senses what’s going

everyone immediately senses what’s going on the clock is now locked into that so

on the clock is now locked into that so

on the clock is now locked into that so this melatonin signal serves as a

this melatonin signal serves as a

this melatonin signal serves as a feedback signal to our clocks to

feedback signal to our clocks to

feedback signal to our clocks to establish the proper day/night rhythms

establish the proper day/night rhythms

establish the proper day/night rhythms so this was very tantalizing

so this was very tantalizing

so this was very tantalizing to me in the context of the timing of

to me in the context of the timing of

to me in the context of the timing of birth now as I mentioned a moment ago

birth now as I mentioned a moment ago

birth now as I mentioned a moment ago rats

rats

rats since their night active they tend to

since their night active they tend to

since their night active they tend to give birth in the daytime in the study

give birth in the daytime in the study

give birth in the daytime in the study by Takayama many years ago they showed

by Takayama many years ago they showed

by Takayama many years ago they showed that in the normal case the blue little

that in the normal case the blue little

that in the normal case the blue little mice there are rats will normally be

mice there are rats will normally be

mice there are rats will normally be born during the daytime when melatonin

born during the daytime when melatonin

born during the daytime when melatonin is low that blue arrow however if you

is low that blue arrow however if you

is low that blue arrow however if you remove the source of melatonin which is

remove the source of melatonin which is

remove the source of melatonin which is the brains pineal gland that rhythm is

the brains pineal gland that rhythm is

the brains pineal gland that rhythm is lost

lost

lost these animals are giving birth across 24

these animals are giving birth across 24

these animals are giving birth across 24 hours pretty randomly however if you

hours pretty randomly however if you

hours pretty randomly however if you restore melatonin to the mother rat in a

restore melatonin to the mother rat in a

restore melatonin to the mother rat in a manner that replicates the normal

manner that replicates the normal

manner that replicates the normal nighttime pattern you get back to the

nighttime pattern you get back to the

nighttime pattern you get back to the normal timing of births so this was very

normal timing of births so this was very

normal timing of births so this was very strong evidence for me that there is a

strong evidence for me that there is a

strong evidence for me that there is a connection between melatonin and the

connection between melatonin and the

connection between melatonin and the timing of birth at least in the rat now

timing of birth at least in the rat now

timing of birth at least in the rat now I can’t go taking the pineal gland out

I can’t go taking the pineal gland out

I can’t go taking the pineal gland out of women who are pregnant to study this

of women who are pregnant to study this

of women who are pregnant to study this right so I had to approach this whole

right so I had to approach this whole

right so I had to approach this whole question in a different manner

question in a different manner

question in a different manner my hypothesis graphically shown here is

my hypothesis graphically shown here is

my hypothesis graphically shown here is that labor leading to birth is occurring

that labor leading to birth is occurring

that labor leading to birth is occurring during the night time and as I’ve

during the night time and as I’ve

during the night time and as I’ve indicated the largest majority of women

indicated the largest majority of women

indicated the largest majority of women do enter labor at nighttime these

do enter labor at nighttime these

do enter labor at nighttime these contractions here shown in pink get

contractions here shown in pink get

contractions here shown in pink get higher and higher during the course of

higher and higher during the course of

higher and higher during the course of night correlated with that is this rise

night correlated with that is this rise

night correlated with that is this rise of melatonin in the bloodstream so the

of melatonin in the bloodstream so the

of melatonin in the bloodstream so the hypothesis I developed about 10 years

hypothesis I developed about 10 years

hypothesis I developed about 10 years ago is that the timing of human labor is

ago is that the timing of human labor is

ago is that the timing of human labor is a circadian event a 24-hour pattern that

a circadian event a 24-hour pattern that

a circadian event a 24-hour pattern that is mediated by the action of melatonin

is mediated by the action of melatonin

is mediated by the action of melatonin melatonin in pregnancy was not very well

melatonin in pregnancy was not very well

melatonin in pregnancy was not very well studied I was one of the fearless

studied I was one of the fearless

studied I was one of the fearless scientists who would attack this

scientists who would attack this

scientists who would attack this question we know what signals night

question we know what signals night

question we know what signals night phase we were the first group to show

phase we were the first group to show

phase we were the first group to show that the receptors the the antenna for

that the receptors the the antenna for

that the receptors the the antenna for melatonin proteins in the uterus are

melatonin proteins in the uterus are

melatonin proteins in the uterus are present we showed in a series of studies

present we showed in a series of studies

present we showed in a series of studies that these

that these

that these chapters when melatonin is present

chapters when melatonin is present

chapters when melatonin is present causes contractions of the uterus this

causes contractions of the uterus this

causes contractions of the uterus this is very similar to oxytocin many people

is very similar to oxytocin many people

is very similar to oxytocin many people know oxytocin as a labor inducing drug

know oxytocin as a labor inducing drug

know oxytocin as a labor inducing drug interesting and very important for our

interesting and very important for our

interesting and very important for our thinking is that the receptors in the

thinking is that the receptors in the

thinking is that the receptors in the uterus are not there throughout most of

uterus are not there throughout most of

uterus are not there throughout most of pregnancy but appear at the end of

pregnancy but appear at the end of

pregnancy but appear at the end of pregnancy when labor begins very

pregnancy when labor begins very

pregnancy when labor begins very analogous to the oxytocin receptors so

analogous to the oxytocin receptors so

analogous to the oxytocin receptors so there rose the question well if you’re

there rose the question well if you’re

there rose the question well if you’re saying it might be linked to preterm but

saying it might be linked to preterm but

saying it might be linked to preterm but there’s no receptors in the uterus

there’s no receptors in the uterus

there’s no receptors in the uterus during most of pregnancy how can that be

during most of pregnancy how can that be

during most of pregnancy how can that be so we had to make a very Herculean

so we had to make a very Herculean

so we had to make a very Herculean effort to find women who would give us

effort to find women who would give us

effort to find women who would give us biopsy material when they went into

biopsy material when they went into

biopsy material when they went into preterm labor this was not easy but we

preterm labor this was not easy but we

preterm labor this was not easy but we managed to get five samples and all five

managed to get five samples and all five

managed to get five samples and all five of these women have melatonin receptors

of these women have melatonin receptors

of these women have melatonin receptors so this really excited us that the

so this really excited us that the

so this really excited us that the hypothesis could be true our working

hypothesis could be true our working

hypothesis could be true our working hypothesis then out of all this data was

hypothesis then out of all this data was

hypothesis then out of all this data was that melatonin underlies contractions

that melatonin underlies contractions

that melatonin underlies contractions leading to labor well if we impede if we

leading to labor well if we impede if we

leading to labor well if we impede if we somehow interfere with that signal we

somehow interfere with that signal we

somehow interfere with that signal we should be able to lower contractions

should be able to lower contractions

should be able to lower contractions well how does one do that like I say I’m

well how does one do that like I say I’m

well how does one do that like I say I’m not going to take the pineal gland out

not going to take the pineal gland out

not going to take the pineal gland out at these women there are drugs which we

at these women there are drugs which we

at these women there are drugs which we use in the laboratory can block the

use in the laboratory can block the

use in the laboratory can block the receptors they’ve never been clinically

receptors they’ve never been clinically

receptors they’ve never been clinically tested there are drugs which can block

tested there are drugs which can block

tested there are drugs which can block the synthesis in the brain again too

the synthesis in the brain again too

the synthesis in the brain again too many side effects so we landed upon a

many side effects so we landed upon a

many side effects so we landed upon a unique approach and yet one that’s not

unique approach and yet one that’s not

unique approach and yet one that’s not unfamiliar you’ve probably heard or read

unfamiliar you’ve probably heard or read

unfamiliar you’ve probably heard or read somewhere along the way about photo

somewhere along the way about photo

somewhere along the way about photo therapy yeah photo therapy is used to

therapy yeah photo therapy is used to

therapy yeah photo therapy is used to treat seasonal affective disorder which

treat seasonal affective disorder which

treat seasonal affective disorder which is a circadian disorder by the way

is a circadian disorder by the way

is a circadian disorder by the way winter depression right and it involves

winter depression right and it involves

winter depression right and it involves using a lamp a photo therapy monitor

using a lamp a photo therapy monitor

using a lamp a photo therapy monitor that the person looks at in the morning

that the person looks at in the morning

that the person looks at in the morning to lower their depressive state well I

to lower their depressive state well I

to lower their depressive state well I have friends in this field as you might

have friends in this field as you might

have friends in this field as you might imagine

imagine

imagine and so I said hey can I borrow your

and so I said hey can I borrow your

and so I said hey can I borrow your phototherapy lab for a few years it’s in

phototherapy lab for a few years it’s in

phototherapy lab for a few years it’s in a few years maybe a few months but I

a few years maybe a few months but I

a few years maybe a few months but I managed to compromise on a year and we

managed to compromise on a year and we

managed to compromise on a year and we set up a study involving pregnant women

set up a study involving pregnant women

set up a study involving pregnant women undergoing contractions now these

undergoing contractions now these

undergoing contractions now these weren’t preterm contractions cuz there’s

weren’t preterm contractions cuz there’s

weren’t preterm contractions cuz there’s no way to know are you gonna go preterm

no way to know are you gonna go preterm

no way to know are you gonna go preterm next week

next week

next week we can’t know this right so we had to go

we can’t know this right so we had to go

we can’t know this right so we had to go with women late in pregnancy who were

with women late in pregnancy who were

with women late in pregnancy who were starting to contract needless to say

starting to contract needless to say

starting to contract needless to say this was somewhat risky because in a few

this was somewhat risky because in a few

this was somewhat risky because in a few cases they had their babies before they

cases they had their babies before they

cases they had their babies before they came to the study we had to wait till

came to the study we had to wait till

came to the study we had to wait till the very end of pregnancy to see those

the very end of pregnancy to see those

the very end of pregnancy to see those contractions appearing the hypothesis

contractions appearing the hypothesis

contractions appearing the hypothesis the prediction shown here is that that

the prediction shown here is that that

the prediction shown here is that that melatonin rise the blue line here which

melatonin rise the blue line here which

melatonin rise the blue line here which is the normal pattern by inhibiting it

is the normal pattern by inhibiting it

is the normal pattern by inhibiting it with light which is known to work should

with light which is known to work should

with light which is known to work should suppress contractions right

suppress contractions right

suppress contractions right if melatonin underlies those

if melatonin underlies those

if melatonin underlies those contractions if we suppress not don’t

contractions if we suppress not don’t

contractions if we suppress not don’t should suppress the contractions people

should suppress the contractions people

should suppress the contractions people thought I was crazy

thought I was crazy

thought I was crazy said what you’re gonna show a light

said what you’re gonna show a light

said what you’re gonna show a light pregnant women and stop the contractions

pregnant women and stop the contractions

pregnant women and stop the contractions that’s nuts nuts but it worked it worked

that’s nuts nuts but it worked it worked

that’s nuts nuts but it worked it worked every woman responded to light we gave

every woman responded to light we gave

every woman responded to light we gave them one hour of light exposure shown

them one hour of light exposure shown

them one hour of light exposure shown here the white bar at 11 p.m. at night

here the white bar at 11 p.m. at night

here the white bar at 11 p.m. at night you see the contractions earlier rising

you see the contractions earlier rising

you see the contractions earlier rising as night precedes that one hour of light

as night precedes that one hour of light

as night precedes that one hour of light suppressed every woman not entirely some

suppressed every woman not entirely some

suppressed every woman not entirely some were suppressed by 50% others by 60% now

were suppressed by 50% others by 60% now

were suppressed by 50% others by 60% now there’s a hundred percent remarkably

there’s a hundred percent remarkably

there’s a hundred percent remarkably when we turned the light off they

when we turned the light off they

when we turned the light off they remained suppressed in most cases for

remained suppressed in most cases for

remained suppressed in most cases for many hours so there was a bit of a lag

many hours so there was a bit of a lag

many hours so there was a bit of a lag phase thereafter suppression and then

phase thereafter suppression and then

phase thereafter suppression and then there is a bit of a rebound here are

there is a bit of a rebound here are

there is a bit of a rebound here are four examples and you see there’s some

four examples and you see there’s some

four examples and you see there’s some variability you know people aren’t rats

variability you know people aren’t rats

variability you know people aren’t rats they very divergent in the responses to

they very divergent in the responses to

they very divergent in the responses to things but in every case we lowered

things but in every case we lowered

things but in every case we lowered contractions and generally suppress them

contractions and generally suppress them

contractions and generally suppress them for hours when I told the office of

for hours when I told the office of

for hours when I told the office of intellectual property about this they

intellectual property about this they

intellectual property about this they said get a patent

said get a patent

said get a patent you got to get a patent so we did and

you got to get a patent so we did and

you got to get a patent so we did and that led to kinderman

that led to kinderman

that led to kinderman we formed this company three years ago

we formed this company three years ago

we formed this company three years ago with the goal of using lights as a drug

with the goal of using lights as a drug

with the goal of using lights as a drug if you will light to suppress

if you will light to suppress

if you will light to suppress contractions now you can’t really

contractions now you can’t really

contractions now you can’t really envision a woman at risk of preterm

envision a woman at risk of preterm

envision a woman at risk of preterm labor using a photo therapy lamp every

labor using a photo therapy lamp every

labor using a photo therapy lamp every night to blast her partner you know

night to blast her partner you know

night to blast her partner you know that’s not gonna work right so we

that’s not gonna work right so we

that’s not gonna work right so we decided we needed to develop a an

decided we needed to develop a an

decided we needed to develop a an individual light emitting device better

individual light emitting device better

individual light emitting device better known as a mask and more importantly we

known as a mask and more importantly we

known as a mask and more importantly we wanted to fine-tune it turns out that

wanted to fine-tune it turns out that

wanted to fine-tune it turns out that the suppression of melatonin by white

the suppression of melatonin by white

the suppression of melatonin by white light is entirely due to one wavelength

light is entirely due to one wavelength

light is entirely due to one wavelength and that’s blue light now isn’t that

and that’s blue light now isn’t that

and that’s blue light now isn’t that interesting

interesting

interesting blue light where do we normally see a

blue light where do we normally see a

blue light where do we normally see a lot of blue light in our world the sky

lot of blue light in our world the sky

lot of blue light in our world the sky hey don’t tell me iPhones the sky the

hey don’t tell me iPhones the sky the

hey don’t tell me iPhones the sky the sky is blue we evolved under this world

sky is blue we evolved under this world

sky is blue we evolved under this world with blue light was daytime and so our

with blue light was daytime and so our

with blue light was daytime and so our eyes have developed a specific sensor

eyes have developed a specific sensor

eyes have developed a specific sensor for blue light and it’s that wavelength

for blue light and it’s that wavelength

for blue light and it’s that wavelength of light that is the most effective at

of light that is the most effective at

of light that is the most effective at suppressing melatonin now it is present

suppressing melatonin now it is present

suppressing melatonin now it is present in iPhones and TV screens and all these

in iPhones and TV screens and all these

in iPhones and TV screens and all these other things and that’s why you should

other things and that’s why you should

other things and that’s why you should use the filter evenings to prevent that

use the filter evenings to prevent that

use the filter evenings to prevent that interference with your clock more

interference with your clock more

interference with your clock more importantly blue light goes through the

importantly blue light goes through the

importantly blue light goes through the skin which means in a mask if the

skin which means in a mask if the

skin which means in a mask if the woman’s eyes are closed it’ll go through

woman’s eyes are closed it’ll go through

woman’s eyes are closed it’ll go through the closed eyelids

the closed eyelids

the closed eyelids she doesn’t have to stand there staring

she doesn’t have to stand there staring

she doesn’t have to stand there staring at this light

at this light

at this light all night long right so we thought that

all night long right so we thought that

all night long right so we thought that was a clear advantage so kinder med has

was a clear advantage so kinder med has

was a clear advantage so kinder med has developed a mask which I actually

developed a mask which I actually

developed a mask which I actually happened to have on me yeah

happened to have on me yeah

happened to have on me yeah now with the bright lights on the stage

now with the bright lights on the stage

now with the bright lights on the stage you probably can’t see this but this

you probably can’t see this but this

you probably can’t see this but this shines well as always it doesn’t work

shines well as always it doesn’t work

shines well as always it doesn’t work when I want it to this is the mask small

when I want it to this is the mask small

when I want it to this is the mask small blue lights behind it they come on

blue lights behind it they come on

blue lights behind it they come on automatically suppress melatonin the

automatically suppress melatonin the

automatically suppress melatonin the woman doesn’t have to worry about

woman doesn’t have to worry about

woman doesn’t have to worry about anything other than sleeping there are

anything other than sleeping there are

anything other than sleeping there are very few side effects

very few side effects

very few side effects certainly fewer than drugs it’s

certainly fewer than drugs it’s

certainly fewer than drugs it’s comfortable it’s convenient and it’s

comfortable it’s convenient and it’s

comfortable it’s convenient and it’s very inexpensive drug therapy for

very inexpensive drug therapy for

very inexpensive drug therapy for preterm labor can run into the tens

preterm labor can run into the tens

preterm labor can run into the tens fifty thousand dollars per treatment so

fifty thousand dollars per treatment so

fifty thousand dollars per treatment so this is definitely an advance we think

this is definitely an advance we think

this is definitely an advance we think our goal ultimately of course is to

our goal ultimately of course is to

our goal ultimately of course is to treat preterm labor this is a huge

treat preterm labor this is a huge

treat preterm labor this is a huge problem as I said it hasn’t changed in

problem as I said it hasn’t changed in

problem as I said it hasn’t changed in the world in 30 years still about 10% of

the world in 30 years still about 10% of

the world in 30 years still about 10% of all pregnancies end in preterm labor

all pregnancies end in preterm labor

all pregnancies end in preterm labor the emotional costs the family costs the

the emotional costs the family costs the

the emotional costs the family costs the healthcare costs are huge talking thirty

healthcare costs are huge talking thirty

healthcare costs are huge talking thirty forty billion dollars in this country

forty billion dollars in this country

forty billion dollars in this country alone annually in the world fifteen

alone annually in the world fifteen

alone annually in the world fifteen million babies are born preterm and many

million babies are born preterm and many

million babies are born preterm and many of them don’t survive it’s time to try

of them don’t survive it’s time to try

of them don’t survive it’s time to try something new even if it appears science

something new even if it appears science

something new even if it appears science fiction we think our blue light mask

fiction we think our blue light mask

fiction we think our blue light mask will make great strides in reducing

will make great strides in reducing

will make great strides in reducing preterm labor and we’re working with

preterm labor and we’re working with

preterm labor and we’re working with Harvard right now on some testing of the

Harvard right now on some testing of the

Harvard right now on some testing of the masks and other groups around the

masks and other groups around the

masks and other groups around the country my hope is that within a year we

country my hope is that within a year we

country my hope is that within a year we can start saving millions of babies

can start saving millions of babies

can start saving millions of babies lives around the world thank you very

lives around the world thank you very

lives around the world thank you very much

much

much [Applause]

”

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