In our current era of advanced technologies, with the help of newer in vitro fertilization techniques, several couples are accomplishing the dream of parenthood. Over the years, many progressive technologies have been successfully introduced in the fertility/IVF treatments which have enhanced efficacy of the IVF treatment and given the joy of parenthood to couples who had lost all hopes of having a baby.
One of the biggest innovations in the IVF techniques will be the “Time-Lapse Imaging” of the embryos. It is a major technological advancement that gives us clarity about the growth of embryos and helps to select good embryos and deselect the bad quality embryos.
In the time-lapse process, the embryos are under constant surveillance, where a camera is kept above the dish which contains the embryos.
During this process, every 10 minutes images are captured and converted into a video which made the work of embryologists more streamlined, as they do not even need to open the incubator to check the embryos behaviour throughout, as it is captured in the time-lapse video which gives great insight.
For example, with the help of this technique embryologists have come across an abnormal development of embryos called “Reverse Cleavage” it is described as blastomere fusion or failed cytokinesis. With the help of time-lapse technology, these embryos do not go unnoticed, otherwise, it will result in abortion or implantation failure.
Another big adaptation/leap for embryologists for IVF treatment will be the use of AI techniques to select embryos. AI tech can be used to analyze time-lapse imaging data with sophisticated computer algorithms.
This includes the use of AI to evaluate embryo development data, as well as the use of computer vision with image processing software to examine raw time-lapse images and to detect bad quality or features of embryos that cannot be detected by the naked eye.
While AI is going to be a big thing soon, but at present, the AI capacity to surpass the manual embryo grading method is underway but with the help of AI fertility facilities can standardize the embryo selection procedure across their fertility treatment centres and clinics. (IANS)
