’Embryoscope enables the doctor to analyse the embryo quality and select only the best embryo’
What is embryoscope? Does the technique increase the chances of pregnancy?
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Dr Hrishikesh Pai
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The embryoscope enables the specialist to monitor and even film the entire process of fertilisation, inside the incubator without disturbances to the embryo culture. It is an advanced incubator that not only maintains the necessary conditions like the right temperature required for the embryo during the in- vitro process but also captures the images of the embryonic development, as it is equipped with a camera. The development can be seen for five days and after checking pros and cons, only the best egg is transferred into the womb thereby improving the overall success rate. Thus, it has proven to be a revolutionary technique.
Can you shed some light on the progress of this technique in the field of in-vitro fertilisation?
The most challenging part of IVF is selecting the best embryo in order to ensure pregnancy. Currently, embryologists need to remove the embryo from a standard incubator to check on the development of the embryo under the microscope, at fixed time-points over three to five days. However, the embryoscope overcomes the shortcomings of the current IVF protocols and eliminates the need to disturb the embryo culture to study it. In IVF, often women are implanted with two or three embryos at one go, which leads to twin pregnancy or triplets. The embryoscope enables the doctor to analyse the embryo quality and select only the best embryos. Thus, there is a much better chance of making the IVF treatment successful.
What are its benefits?
The embryoscope is a blessing in disguise for patients marred by the handicap of infertility. It is a time-lapse system that gives the parents-to-be more information about the embryo. It provides a record on film of the beginning of the future baby’s life. It improves IVF treatments and offers undisturbed culture in a stable environment. Thus, there is a much better chance of making the IVF treatment successful using embryoscope.
How many embryoscopy cases have you performed so far? What is the approximate success rate you can assure a patient through embryoscope?
Embryoscopy has been performed on more than 150 patients so far. The success rates are about 30 to 40 per cent per attempt in combination with laser assisted hatching in women less than 35 years of age who have had previous IVF failures.
Are there any precautions that need to be taken by the specialist?
There are standard hygiene precautions that need to be taken care of by the specialist, like proper sterile conditions, use of disposable syringes etc. The temperature and humidity is already controlled and the air is filtered through carbon and HEPA filters.
Does using this technique increase the cost of IVF services in any way? What is the difference?
Yes, there is an additional cost that has to be incurred for embryoscope. This is because the equipment used is expensive and the maintenance is very high.
How many IVF experts in India practice this technique?
Currently, there are 8 to 10 doctors practising embryoscopy in India.
What growth prospects do you anticipate for the technique in the future?
Embryoscopy is the latest developed technology in the IVF treatment which has proven to be very effective. The instrument provides a unique opportunity to develop new parameters for future embryo scoring and improve embryo assessment in IVF. Majority of the people have now started using this technique instead of the standard IVF process. The technique is spreading fast and has become more routine and acceptable now.
raelene.kambli@expressindia.com
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