Improved IVF Treatment: Using Thousands of Time-Lapse Photos of Developing Embryos for a Successful Pregnancy

This video presents “Time Lapse Embryo Imaging with CAREmaps to ‘improve’ IVF.”

“Time Lapse images every 10 minutes of developing embryos together with morphokinetic algorithms (maps) – calculations about what the embryo should be doing at specific points in time, enables Care Fertility embryologists to predict which embryos have the highest potential for a successful pregnancy.”

Embryologists use Time Lapse Embryo Imaging (or time-lapse photography) to significantly improve IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatment by using the EmbryoScope^® time-lapse system (Unisense/Fertilitech, Aarhus, Denmark).

“The Vision to Conceive

Currently, assessment of embryo development in IVF is limited to brief “snap-shot” glimpses at defined time points, in order to minimize disturbances to culture conditions. However embryo development is a dynamic process and a wealth of information about embryo development history remains untapped.

The EmbryoScope™ Time-lapse System provides a safe, controlled culture environment, while allowing continuous monitoring and observation of up to 72 embryos at a time. The instrument provides a unique opportunity to develop new parameters for future embryo scoring.”

Unisense FertiliTech A/S, Denmark
www.fertilitech.com

This video presents “EmbryoScope™ time-lapse system in a clinic.”

“See how the laboratory director and embryologist use the EmbryoScope™ Time-lapse System and the EmbryoViewer™ software at the fertility clinic at the hospital in Horsens, Denmark.”

This medical device is a state-of-the-art system, with a built-in camera providing automated and continuous time-lapse photography of “fertilized oocytes from conception until the time of embryo transfer without disturbing the culture environment.”

EmbryoScope^® time-lapse system includes the following highlights:

To assess an embryo’s development by observing cell division during key time periods.
Image acquisition with fully automated detection and focussing of up to 72 embryos (6 patient slides with 12 embryos in each slide).
Built-in microscope with Leica 20 x 0.40 LWD Hoffman Modulation contrast objective specialized for 635 nm illumination.
- High-quality Hoffman modulation contrast optics allows observation of key morphological features.
- Special Leica optics designed for red light at 635 nm to eliminate high energy light exposure.
Camera resolution: 1280 × 1024 pixels, 3 pixels per μm, monochrome, 8-bit.
Illumination for image acquisition: < 0.5 s per image, using single 1W red LED (635 nm).
Image acquisition in multiple focal planes of all embryos every 20 min (*faster if fewer slides or focal planes are used).
Refocus in multiple planes, replay time-lapse, or use “Live view” to assess embryo quality directly.
Time-lapse images and all incubation parameters are automatically stored in a patient file for review at any time.
Use the EmbryoViewer™ software to review, annotate, and compare synchronized time-lapse movies from current and previous patient embryos.

Time Lapse Embryo Imaging:

allows the embryologists to safely and continuously monitor embryos and to observe their developmental patterns closely,
allows the developing embryos to remain uninterrupted within the optimum conditions of the incubator, and
provides Care Fertility embryologists 5,040 photos over five days (whereas the standard, traditional incubation provides only 6 photos over five days).

“According to CARE, the EmbryoScope^® time-lapse system has raised the percentage of live births by more than 50 % in the UK.”

The EmbryoScope™ time-lapse system was cleared for clinical use in Europe in 2009 and is the only time-lapse system which is FDA cleared for clinical use in the USA.

The technology is used in routine clinical practice by more than 275 clinics worldwide and has been used in approximately 60,000 treatment cycles.
It is estimated that more than 10,000 babies have been born using this system.

Clinics utilize the full potential of time-lapse photography as part of this innovative medical device to help infertile couples “achieve their dream of parenthood.”