What Is an Embryoscope and How Is It Used in IVF?

The embryoscope is a special type of incubator that maintains the necessary physiological conditions required by an embryo while in the IVF laboratory. It has time-lapse technology with a camera that continuously captures images and records embryonic development in video format. This allows the embryologist to monitor embryo development without having to remove the embryo from the incubator.

How Does an Embryoscope Work?

After the fertilization of the sperm and eggs with the help of assistive reproductive technology (IVF/ICSI), the resulting embryos have to be placed in an incubator so that they can develop safely and appropriately.

The Embryoscope is a special type of incubator which provides the ideal nutritional and environmental conditions for embryos to grow while in the IVF laboratory. It has an inbuilt camera and microscope designed to take several images of the embryos every couple of minutes. It is also incorporated with advanced software which allows the embryologist to assess the development of the embryos without having to remove them from the embryoscope and helps in selecting the embryos which have the highest chance of leading to a pregnancy.

Advantages of Embryoscope

• Reduced handling: The Embryoscope allows the embryologist to monitor embryo development without having to take the embryos out of the incubator, thus reducing the stress experienced by the embryos.
• Constant monitoring: More than 7200 minutes of footage on the development of the embryo can be observed by the embryologist as compared to the standard 6-10 minute observation using the conventional incubator.
• Stable culture conditions: Embryoscope provides incredibly stable culture conditions for the embryos
• It provides information about the way in which the embryo is dividing which is not available using a conventional microscope
• Better embryo selection: The accurate and in-depth data available to the embryologist allows the selection of the embryos with the highest chance of leading to a pregnancy.

Who Needs Embryoscope?

The stable culture conditions provided by the Embryoscope along with all the plus points mentioned above make the embryoscope an advantage to all patients.

In situations where there is a history of recurrent miscarriage, advanced maternal age and repeated implantation failure, more information regarding the development of the embryo provided by the Embryoscope may be able to make a difference.