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Improving Efficiencies in the IVF Lab

Working in the IVF lab requires passion and efficiency to help patients achieve successful pregnancy after struggling with infertility. We understand the challenges you face and offer a broad range of clinical solutions to help you provide effective care.

Semen Analysis

Semen analysis evaluates the quality and volume of sperm cells to determine male-factor infertility. Important factors to verify are sperm concentration, motility, concentration, volume, morphology, and DNA fragmentation.

  • Our flagship CASA systems IVOS and CEROS have helped IVF clinicians worldwide make determinations on male infertility. * (Not for Clinical Diagnostic Procedures in USA – for research purposes only. Product is not available for sale in all territories)
  • For IVF clinics in the USA, we offer the Lenshooke X1 Pro Semen Quality Analyzer from our partner Bonraybio.
  • We also offer a variety of semen analysis accessories, try the CA0/CA1 sperm separation device from Bonraybio for preparing motile sperm from semen.

Laser-assisted Hatching

Laser-assisted hatching requires less handling of the embryo and is safer than mechanical techniques or procedures which required an acidic solution to penetrate the embryo’s outer shell.

  • Hamilton Thorne’s LYKOS® or LYKOS DTS® lasers use a highly focused infrared laser beam to remove the embryo’s zona pellucida in precise increments.
  • Our lasers provide a safe, efficient method for laser treatment in assisted hatching applications.

Embryo Culture

Proper embryo culture is crucial to successful embryo development. This is the process where eggs are removed from the ovaries, covered in a culture medium, and then combined with sperm to create a fertilized egg. An optimal environment is critical for the egg’s survival while outside of the body.

  • With our sister companies, Hamilton Thorne can supply both the media for embryo culture and the incubators to help you create a temperature controlled and humified environment during the incubation period.
  • We also offer a time-lapse incubator from our distribution partner to help you monitor every step of the embryo’s development.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection 

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is the process in which a micropipette is used to inject a single sperm into an embryo. The ICSI procedure assists with embryos that have failed to be fertilized by traditional IVF methods.

  • We offer a full range of micropipettes to assist in the handling and micromanipulation of sperm and embryos during the ICSI procedure. We also provide full ICSI station setups including microscopes, anti-vibration systems, IVF workstations, and chambers. Check out our offerings for IVF lab equipment.   

Embryo Biopsy

Laser-assisted biopsy is used to facilitate removal of cells from an embryo for pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS) and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. Trophectoderm biopsy takes place at the 16-32 cell blastocyst stage of development, as the trophectoderm is beginning to herniate through the zona pellucida. Instead of removing individual blastomeres, several trophectoderm cells are removed.

  • Our lasers help create a small opening in the zona pellucida so the cells can be carefully removed for biopsy.
  • Trophectoderm cells can be safely dissected from the blastocyst using laser pulses.

FAQs

You have questions, we have answers.

In order for an embryo to implant in the uterine lining, the inner embryo (blastocyst) must “hatch” from its protective outer shell (the zona pellucida). Assisted hatching is a technique in which the zona pellucida of an embryo is purposely weakened or cut to help the embryo hatch more easily and promote implantation.

There are three methods of assisted hatching: mechanical, chemical, and laser-assisted. With mechanical methods, an incision or hole is made in the zona pellucida using a tool such as a microsurgical knife or a special glass needle. The chemical method directs a stream of acidic hatching solution against outer shell to digest a portion of the zona pellucida. Laser-assisted hatching (LAH) uses a highly focused laser beam to remove the zona pellucida in very precise increments.

The most commonly used indications for use of assisted hatching are:

AgeWomen over 37 years old
Hormonal StatusWomen with an elevated baseline level of FSH (follicular stimulating hormone)
Embryo QualityWomen with poor prognosis embryos, including conditions such as a thick zona pellucida, slow cell division rate, or high cell fragmentation
IVF AttemptsWomen who have failed 1 or more IVF cycles
Frozen EmbryosWomen using frozen/thawed embryos, which may have hardened zona pellucida

The risks of assisting hatching using the laser are similar to the risks when using chemical or mechanical methods. These risks include possible damage / destruction to the embryo and a possible increased chance of monozygotic (identical) twinning.

Laser-assisted hatching may require less embryo handling than other assisted hatching methods. Also, laser-assisted hatching may be faster than other methods and therefore the embryo may spend less time outside of the incubator.

Case Studies

How other labs have utilized Hamilton Thorne solutions 

Human / Clinical

Unité Fonctionnelle de Diagnostic Pré-implantatoire

Precise Results Required for Embryo Biopsy Testing embryos for genetic disorders, i.e., preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), requires the safe and precise removal of a cell from the embryo (embryo biopsy). […]
Human / Clinical

Glasgow Nuffield Hospital

ZILOS Generates Bountiful Fertility Rates In the business of enhancing fertility, success is infrequent. At the Glasgow Nuffield Hospital Assisted Conception Unit, pregnancy rates are among the highest in the […]
Human / Clinical

Harley Street Fertility Centre

ZILOS and Assisted Hatching The Harley Street Fertility Centre, located in London, provides the latest technological advances in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. The Centre has had particular success […]
Human / Clinical

Infertility Centre, Ghent University Hospital

The Elegant Laser In 2001, the Ghent University Hospital IVF lab was looking for the best instrument to use in its pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) program. Heleen Laverge, an embryologist […]
Human / Clinical

Shady Grove Fertility Reproductive Science Center

3000 IVF Cycles Reached with Help of ZILOS-tk® As the Laboratories Manager for Shady Grove Fertility Reproductive Science Center, James Graham knows what it takes to help patients win the […]
Human / Clinical

Sydney IVF (Genea)

ZILOS-tk® to Go! To meet the needs of would-be parents who cannot make the trip to Sydney, Dr. Kylie de Boer and Steven McArthur came up with a unique solution; […]
Human / Clinical

Noor Fertility and Assisted Reproduction Center (NFARC)

Ahmad Morsi Abu Maizer is the Senior Clinical Embryologist at Noor Fertility and Assisted Reproduction Center (NFARC) and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree, which he believes will open new […]
Human / Clinical

Virginia IVF and Andrology Center

There is no greater gift than the gift of life. As scientific director and co-founder of the Virginia IVF and Andrology Center (VAIVF), Dr. Dennis Matt has provided this gift […]