An innovative design for in-vitro fertilization oocyte retrieval systems

Abstract

In-vitro fertilization (IVF) and related technologies are arguably the most challenging of all cell culture applications. This paper introduces a new design of an integrated oocyte retrieval solution before the oocytes are further put into laboratory processing during IVF treatment. It facilitates the surgery operation and addresses the temperature inaccuracy of follicular fluid during the transfer to the patient's body. The mechanical design is implemented into a medical-standard conforming platform. An accurate temperature estimation and optimization scheme is also proposed. Comparison before and after the introduction of the new prototype under various operating conditions reveals a significant improvement in performance. This yields a potential application for the medical/healthcare industry. © 2005-2012 IEEE.