Non-linear imaging systems and methods for assisted reproductive technologies

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to non-linear imaging systems and methods for use in various assisted reproductive technologies and other applications. In one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to two-photon and other non-linear microscope techniques that can be used to determine the status or maturity state of eggs or egg follicles, for example by determining the presence of polar bodies within the egg follicles. In some embodiments, endogenous metabolites, such as NADH or FAD, can be determined, and in some cases without externally altering those metabolite concentrations or without adding other compounds. Other embodiments of the invention are also directed to computer programs or systems that can be used to determine the status or maturity state of eggs or egg follicles, kits involving such systems, or the like.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of monitoring embryo development, the method comprising:
 acquiring time-lapse non-linear microscope images of an embryo with an imaging system capable of performing non-linear measurements; and   (ii) analyzing the time-lapse non-linear microscope images to determine the suitability of the embryo for in vitro fertilization.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the embryo is a human embryo. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying the time-lapse non-linear microscope images. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the imaging system is placed inside an incubator. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method is automated. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the time-lapse non-linear microscope images are two-photon microscope images; multiphoton microscope images; second harmonic generation microscope images; or third harmonic generation microscope images. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the time-lapse non-linear microscope images are fluorescence images of endogenous NADH inside the embryo. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the time-lapse non-linear microscope images are fluorescence images of endogenous FAD inside the embryo. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the time-lapse non-linear microscope images are a combination of fluorescence images of endogenous NADH inside the embryo and fluorescence images of endogenous FAD inside the embryo. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (i) comprises loading a dish comprising the embryo onto a loading platform of the imaging system.