Evaluation of the embryo transfer protocol by a laboratory model of the uterus  Osnat Eytan, Ph.D., David Elad, D.Sc., Ariel J. Jaffa, M.D.  Fertility and Sterility  Volume 88, Issue 2, Pages 485-493 (August 2007) DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.11.127 Copyright © 2007 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

FIGURE 1 Schematic outline of parameters that may affect the outcome of embryo transfer. Eytan. Physical features of ET protocol. Fertil Steril 2007. Fertility and Sterility 2007 88, 485-493DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.11.127) Copyright © 2007 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

FIGURE 2 (A) The experimental apparatus for in vitro simulation of embryo transfer. (B) Scheme of the catheter-loading protocol. The embryos are placed in the liquid section near the catheter tip in an actual embryo transfer procedure. Eytan. Physical features of ET protocol. Fertil Steril 2007. Fertility and Sterility 2007 88, 485-493DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.11.127) Copyright © 2007 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

FIGURE 3 Dispersion of the transferred volume at the end of injection into a horizontal uterine model (θ = 0°) at various speeds while the catheter is remote from the fundus: (A) T = 1 second, (B) T = 5 seconds, (C) T = 10 seconds, (D) T = 15 seconds, and (E) T = 25 seconds. Eytan. Physical features of ET protocol. Fertil Steril 2007. Fertility and Sterility 2007 88, 485-493DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.11.127) Copyright © 2007 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

FIGURE 4 Dispersion of the transferred volume at various inclination angles of the uterine model (θ = 15°, 30°) at various times after the onset of injection while the catheter is remote from the fundus. The transferred matter was injected at a low speed (A; T = 25 s) and at a high speed (B; T = 1 s). Eytan. Physical features of ET protocol. Fertil Steril 2007. Fertility and Sterility 2007 88, 485-493DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.11.127) Copyright © 2007 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

FIGURE 5 Dispersion of the transferred volume at various inclination angles of the uterine model (θ = 0°, 15°, 30°) at various times after the onset of injection while the catheter is close to the fundus. The transferred matter was injected at a low speed (A; T = 25 s) and at a high speed (B; T = 1 s). Eytan. Physical features of ET protocol. Fertil Steril 2007. Fertility and Sterility 2007 88, 485-493DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.11.127) Copyright © 2007 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

FIGURE 6 Simulation of how ectopic pregnancy may occur. Dispersion of the transferred volume injected at a high speed (T = 1 s) in a horizontal uterine model (θ = 0°) while the catheter is close to the fundus: (A) t = 0.5 s, (B) t = 0.75 s, and (C) t = 0.875 s. The arrows mark the part of the liquid that enters into the glass tube. Eytan. Physical features of ET protocol. Fertil Steril 2007. Fertility and Sterility 2007 88, 485-493DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.11.127) Copyright © 2007 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

FIGURE 7 Effect of rapid extraction of the catheter (1–2 s). Final dispersion of the transferred matter before (A, C) and after (B, D) extraction of the catheter in the horizontal (θ = 0°) and inclined (θ = 15°) uterine models, respectively. Eytan. Physical features of ET protocol. Fertil Steril 2007. Fertility and Sterility 2007 88, 485-493DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.11.127) Copyright © 2007 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

FIGURE 8 The sagittal cross-section of the uterus in the supine subject: (A) anteverted (normal) uterus, (B) anteflexed uterus, and (C) retroflexed uterus. Eytan. Physical features of ET protocol. Fertil Steril 2007. Fertility and Sterility 2007 88, 485-493DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.11.127) Copyright © 2007 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions