Full in vitro fertilization laboratory mechanization: toward robotic assisted reproduction? Marcos Meseguer, Ph.D., Ulrich Kruhne, Ph.D., Steen Laursen, Ph.D. Fertility and Sterility Volume 97, Issue 6, Pages 1277-1286 (June 2012) DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.03.013 Copyright © 2012 Terms and Conditions
Figure 1 Simplified representation of the working process for sperm separation by electrophoresis. The flow promotes the movement of the sperm through the polycarbonate membrane, selecting cells and preventing the ingress of round cells present in the ejaculate, such as neutrophils. Fertility and Sterility 2012 97, 1277-1286DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.03.013) Copyright © 2012 Terms and Conditions
Figure 2 Proposed automatic cumulus removal device, based on Zeringe et al. (2001). (A) The cumulus oocyte complex passes through the narrowed area, emerging with partially removed cumulus cells. (B) By a fluid exposure and a suction force the remaining cumulus cells are stripped from the oocyte. (C) The remaining cells are removed in the second removal port when suction is again applied. Fertility and Sterility 2012 97, 1277-1286DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.03.013) Copyright © 2012 Terms and Conditions
Figure 3 An example of a microfluidic system (Smart Biosystems), which is an automated cell culture device for IVF. Fertility and Sterility 2012 97, 1277-1286DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.03.013) Copyright © 2012 Terms and Conditions
Figure 4 The flow conditions in form of shear strain rate and the local concentration of the new medium after 10 seconds of flow. (A and B) Illustrate the gentle conditions regarding shear stress. (C and D) Show the local concentrations of the new medium (dimensionless). Fertility and Sterility 2012 97, 1277-1286DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.03.013) Copyright © 2012 Terms and Conditions
Figure 5 A computational fluid dynamics simulation of the flow condition in a 200-μL pipette when the medium is manually changed. It is assumed that it takes the user 2 seconds to fill the pipette, resulting in a flow rate of 100 μL/s. The velocity field (A), the shear strain rate field, and a graph plot for the shear strain rate 1 mm behind the inlet opening across the diameter (B). Fertility and Sterility 2012 97, 1277-1286DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.03.013) Copyright © 2012 Terms and Conditions