Description:
This technology is an Assisted Reproduction Technology designed as a specific gravity system that estimates the weight of the embryos for determining the viability of embryos. It is a non-invasive technique that uses specific gravity as an indicator of weight and allows for the heaviest embryos to be selected for implantation. This approach is safe, simple and reliable.
Reference Number: D-1083
Market Applications:
- hospitals
- fertility clinics
- veterinary hospitals
- research laboratories
Features, Benefits and Advantages:
This technique is based on the concept that given the consistent shape and size of an oocyte and/or early embryo at the same stage of development and the fact that all other parameters would be equal in an in vitro culture system, any difference seen in embryo weight (density) should be the result of differences in internal embryo weight, which would be expected to influence embryo viability.
• Non-invasive, does not harm embryos
• Allows for 100% recovery of embryos
• Detects differences in viability at the earliest stages of development
• Selects most viable embryos
Intellectual Property:
A provisional patent application, 62/019,034, was filed on 06/30/2014.
Development Stage:
The Specific gravity system has been produced and tested. Further testing with larger embryo cohorts is ongoing.
Primary Investigator:
Samuel Prien, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Lubbock, Texas
Key Words:
Specific gravity, Single Embryo Transfer, Assisted Reproduction Technologies, In-vitro fertilization.
Publications:
Preliminary trials of a specific gravity technique in the determination of early embryo growth potential
Human Reproduction, July 22, 2015, pp. 1-8