System and method for assessing embryo viability

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for determining fecundity of an embryo utilizing a non¬invasive grading of early stage embryos (pre-hatching) based upon specific gravity, density and/or estimated weight. The system allows 100% recovery of embryos and can detect differences in growth potential at the earliest stages of development. The system may further enhance the development of embryos by utilization of microfluidic effects during use. The disclosed system supports a wide variety of scenarios for human and animal reproductive technologies and related products and services.

1 . A device for non-invasive selection and recovery of mammalian embryos having enhanced embryo development, comprising:
 a drop chamber comprising a lumen containing a biocompatible media composition extending vertically from a recovery pool having fluid communication with the lumen of the drop chamber; and   a predetermined timing zone of said drop chamber having an upper and lower boundary of said predetermined timing zone capable of measurement of movement downward of each embryo through the biocompatible media composition in the drop chamber, and identification of the descent time of each embryo moving downward through the biocompatible media composition between the upper and lower boundaries of said predetermined timing zone to determine the estimated weight of each embryo, wherein a faster descent time indicates a higher estimated weight;   
       wherein the recovery pool is capable of receiving the embryos from the lumen of the drop chamber, allowing for embryo recovery. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined timing zone of said drop chamber is capable of measuring the descent time of each embryo through the biocompatible media composition within the upper and lower boundary of said predetermined timing zone of the drop chamber by any of a means selected from the group consisting of: visual means, tagging of the embryos, markers detected on or in the embryos, computerized means of embryo recognition utilizing a processor having programmable logic designed to detect each embryo during descent through the timing zone, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said non-invasive selection and recovery of said embryos is a qualitative assessment of embryo weight using specific gravity and/or density. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising utilizing one or more drop chambers, for assessing one or more embryos, each of the one or more drop chambers emptying into one or more recovery pools to allow selection and recovery of one or more embryos having separate identifications. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising the indirect measure of embryo chemical components for determination of whether said components expected levels for normal growth and development of said embryos. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said selection and recovery of said embryos determines viable and non-viable embryos from the zygote to blastocyst stage. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the selection and recovery of said embryos is further capable of comparing the identified descent time of each embryo embryos ranging from zygote to blastocyst stage in measuring step within a population mean wherein a faster descent time indicates a higher estimated weight. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said tube is transparent for visualization and timing of embryo descent. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said wherein said selection and recovery of said embryos performed by descending the embryos through the biocompatible media composition of the drop chamber does not reduce the viability of the said embryos. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more tubes each emptying into a separate collection pool to allow assessment of multiple embryos having unique identifications. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said embryos comprise cryopreserved embryos, and at least one of the selected embryos will survive after thaw. 
     
     
         13 - 25 . (canceled)