At the Hull IVF unit at the Women and Children’s Hospital in Hull, England, a new camera technology has enabled time-lapse embryo monitoring for couples who have suffered multiple failed in vitro fertilization (IVF) attempts.
The time-lapse cameras capture thousands of photos, and couples can use imaging software to closely monitor the embryo without disturbance and at no extra cost, principal embryologist Christine Leary said in a Hull Daily Mail article.
“We can see what is happening and select which ones will be most suitable for transfer,” she said.
While the technology certainly does not influence which embryos are good and which ones aren’t, it will still enable Leary and her team to make informed decisions as to when to make a transfer. The Hull IVF unit currently has about a 45% success rate when it comes to achieving a pregnancy, and this software only figures to improve the selection process, according to Leary.
As it stands now, the unit’s one camera—which costs £10,000 (about 15,125 U.S. dollars)—can only be used for couples who have suffered multiple failed attempts. But if it proves to be successful, more will be purchased for the unit in the future. In addition to time-lapse IVF imaging, the camera and software also aid in training for the facility.
View the Hull Daily Mail article.
View more information on the Hull IVF Unit
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About the Author
James Carroll
Former VSD Editor James Carroll joined the team 2013. Carroll covered machine vision and imaging from numerous angles, including application stories, industry news, market updates, and new products. In addition to writing and editing articles, Carroll managed the Innovators Awards program and webcasts.